- A
Use an .ebextensions configuration file to run a migration script during deployment.
.ebextensions allows custom commands.
- B
Configure an RDS event subscription to trigger a Lambda function that runs migrations.
Why wrong: Event subscriptions are for database events, not deployment.
- C
Run the migration script as a scheduled task using CloudWatch Events.
Why wrong: Not tied to deployment lifecycle.
- D
Use AWS CodeDeploy's AppSpec file to run the migration script.
Why wrong: CodeDeploy is not part of Beanstalk.
Question 466 of 1,616
Running Database Migrations During Elastic Beanstalk Deployment
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer is deploying a web application using AWS Elastic Beanstalk. The application uses a MySQL database. During deployment, the developer needs to apply database schema migrations. Which approach should the developer use to run database migrations as part of the Elastic Beanstalk deployment?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use an .ebextensions configuration file to run a migration script during deployment.
Option A is correct because Elastic Beanstalk supports .ebextensions configuration files that can execute custom commands or scripts during deployment. By placing a migration script (e.g., a shell script that runs `mysql` commands or a framework migration tool) in the `.ebextensions` directory and using the `commands` or `container_commands` key, the developer can ensure the migration runs automatically after the application is deployed but before the new environment serves traffic. This approach integrates the migration into the deployment lifecycle without external dependencies.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use an .ebextensions configuration file to run a migration script during deployment.
Why this is correct
.ebextensions allows custom commands.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure an RDS event subscription to trigger a Lambda function that runs migrations.
Why it's wrong here
Event subscriptions are for database events, not deployment.
- ✗
Run the migration script as a scheduled task using CloudWatch Events.
Why it's wrong here
Not tied to deployment lifecycle.
- ✗
Use AWS CodeDeploy's AppSpec file to run the migration script.
Why it's wrong here
CodeDeploy is not part of Beanstalk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the deployment lifecycle hooks of different AWS services (e.g., CodeDeploy's AppSpec vs. Elastic Beanstalk's .ebextensions) and assume any migration script can be plugged into any deployment tool, ignoring that Elastic Beanstalk has its own proprietary configuration mechanism.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Elastic Beanstalk processes `.ebextensions` files in alphabetical order and executes `commands` before the application starts, while `container_commands` run after the application and web server are set up but before the environment is marked healthy. This ordering is critical for database migrations: using `container_commands` with a `leader_only: true` option ensures the migration runs only on a single instance (the first in an Auto Scaling group), preventing duplicate migrations in a multi-instance environment. A real-world scenario where this matters is when using a framework like Django or Rails that requires `manage.py migrate` or `rake db:migrate` to be run exactly once per deployment.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Development with AWS Services — This question tests Development with AWS Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an .ebextensions configuration file to run a migration script during deployment. — Option A is correct because Elastic Beanstalk supports .ebextensions configuration files that can execute custom commands or scripts during deployment. By placing a migration script (e.g., a shell script that runs `mysql` commands or a framework migration tool) in the `.ebextensions` directory and using the `commands` or `container_commands` key, the developer can ensure the migration runs automatically after the application is deployed but before the new environment serves traffic. This approach integrates the migration into the deployment lifecycle without external dependencies.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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