Quick Answer
The answer is AWS::Serverless::Api, which is the correct SAM resource type to define an API Gateway REST API in an AWS SAM template. This shorthand resource automatically generates the underlying AWS::ApiGateway::RestApi and AWS::ApiGateway::Stage resources, along with necessary permissions and deployment configurations, simplifying serverless application development. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of SAM’s abstraction layer versus raw CloudFormation resources—a common trap is confusing AWS::Serverless::Api with AWS::ApiGateway::RestApi, which lacks SAM’s built-in event source mappings and auto-deployment features. Another frequent pitfall is selecting AWS::Serverless::Function, which defines only the Lambda compute, not the API endpoint. For a quick memory tip, think “SAM Api” as the one-stop shop for REST APIs: it’s the only SAM resource that starts with “Api” and handles both the gateway definition and its integration with Lambda functions automatically.
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 serverless application using AWS SAM. The developer wants to define a Lambda function that is invoked by an Amazon API Gateway REST API. Which SAM resource type should the developer use to define the API?
AWS::Serverless::SimpleTable
Why wrong: This defines a DynamoDB table.
AWS::Serverless::Api
This defines an API Gateway REST API.
AWS::ApiGateway::RestApi
Why wrong: This is a CloudFormation resource, but SAM provides a shorthand.
AWS::Serverless::Function
Why wrong: This defines a Lambda function, not an API.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS::Serverless::Api
Option B is correct because AWS::Serverless::Api defines an API Gateway REST API in SAM. Option A is wrong because AWS::Serverless::Function defines a Lambda function. Option C is wrong because AWS::ApiGateway::RestApi is a raw CloudFormation resource, not a SAM shorthand. Option D is wrong because AWS::Serverless::SimpleTable defines a DynamoDB table.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS::Serverless::SimpleTable
Why it's wrong here
This defines a DynamoDB table.
AWS::Serverless::Api
AWS::ApiGateway::RestApi
Why it's wrong here
This is a CloudFormation resource, but SAM provides a shorthand.
AWS::Serverless::Function
Why it's wrong here
This defines a Lambda function, not an API.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which DVA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS::Serverless::Api — Option B is correct because AWS::Serverless::Api defines an API Gateway REST API in SAM. Option A is wrong because AWS::Serverless::Function defines a Lambda function. Option C is wrong because AWS::ApiGateway::RestApi is a raw CloudFormation resource, not a SAM shorthand. Option D is wrong because AWS::Serverless::SimpleTable defines a DynamoDB table.
Identify which DVA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DVA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DVA-C02 exam.
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