- A
Include a buildspec.yml file in the root directory.
Why wrong: buildspec.yml is used by AWS CodeBuild to define build commands, not by Elastic Beanstalk to configure environment variables.
- B
Include a .ebextensions/options.config file.
Files in the .ebextensions directory with a .config extension are automatically processed by Elastic Beanstalk. They can set environment variables using the option_settings key, among other configurations.
- C
Include an appspec.yml file.
Why wrong: appspec.yml is used by AWS CodeDeploy to define the deployment lifecycle. Elastic Beanstalk does not use this file.
- D
Include a cron.yaml file.
Why wrong: cron.yaml is used in Elastic Beanstalk to define scheduled tasks, but it does not configure environment variables. It is for periodic jobs.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to include a .ebextensions/options.config file in the application source bundle under the .ebextensions directory. This is because Elastic Beanstalk configuration files, written in YAML or JSON, are processed automatically during environment creation and updates, allowing you to define custom settings like environment variables for EC2 instances through the `option_settings` key. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to extend platform configurations without modifying the base AMI—a common trap is confusing .ebextensions with .platform hooks or forgetting that the directory must be at the root of the source bundle. Remember the memory tip: “Ebextensions for extra settings” — think of the “e” in .ebextensions as standing for “environment variables” to recall its primary use for custom configuration.
DVA-C02 Deployment Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. 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. A key principle to apply: `.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization.. 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 using AWS Elastic Beanstalk to deploy a web application. The application requires custom configuration, such as setting environment variables for the EC2 instances. Which file should the developer include in the application source bundle under the appropriate directory to achieve this?
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
Include a .ebextensions/options.config file.
Option B is correct because AWS Elastic Beanstalk uses `.ebextensions` directory with `.config` files (e.g., `options.config`) to define custom configuration, including environment variables for EC2 instances. These YAML or JSON files are processed during environment creation and updates, allowing you to set `option_settings` that override or augment the default platform configuration.
Key principle: `.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Include a buildspec.yml file in the root directory.
Why it's wrong here
buildspec.yml is used by AWS CodeBuild to define build commands, not by Elastic Beanstalk to configure environment variables.
- ✓
Include a .ebextensions/options.config file.
Why this is correct
Files in the .ebextensions directory with a .config extension are automatically processed by Elastic Beanstalk. They can set environment variables using the option_settings key, among other configurations.
Related concept
`.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization.
- ✗
Include an appspec.yml file.
Why it's wrong here
appspec.yml is used by AWS CodeDeploy to define the deployment lifecycle. Elastic Beanstalk does not use this file.
- ✗
Include a cron.yaml file.
Why it's wrong here
cron.yaml is used in Elastic Beanstalk to define scheduled tasks, but it does not configure environment variables. It is for periodic jobs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Elastic Beanstalk configuration files with other AWS service configuration files (CodeBuild's `buildspec.yml` or CodeDeploy's `appspec.yml`) or assume `cron.yaml` can handle general environment settings, leading them to pick a wrong option based on familiarity with other services.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
buildspec.yml is used by AWS CodeBuild to define build commands, not by Elastic Beanstalk to configure environment variables.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `.ebextensions/*.config` files are processed by the Elastic Beanstalk platform's `cfn-init` and `cfn-hup` scripts, which use AWS CloudFormation to apply `option_settings` (e.g., `aws:elasticbeanstalk:application:environment` namespace) to the EC2 instances. A subtle behavior is that these files must be in YAML or JSON format and placed directly in the `.ebextensions` directory at the root of the source bundle; nested directories or incorrect file extensions cause silent failures. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for injecting database credentials or API keys without hardcoding them in the application code.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- `.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization.
- `.config` files within `.ebextensions` are processed during deployment.
- `option_settings` key in `.config` files sets environment variables.
- Environment variables set via `.ebextensions` are accessible to the application on EC2 instances.
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
`.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization.
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. `.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization. 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.
Review `.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization., then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — `.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Include a .ebextensions/options.config file. — Option B is correct because AWS Elastic Beanstalk uses `.ebextensions` directory with `.config` files (e.g., `options.config`) to define custom configuration, including environment variables for EC2 instances. These YAML or JSON files are processed during environment creation and updates, allowing you to set `option_settings` that override or augment the default platform configuration.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review `.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization., then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
`.ebextensions` directory is for Elastic Beanstalk environment customization.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on DVA-C02
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A developer is deploying a Node.js application to AWS Elastic Beanstalk. The application needs to read environment-specific configuration variables. Which configuration file should the developer use to define these variables within the Elastic Beanstalk environment?
easy- A.package.json
- ✓ B..ebextensions/*.config
- C.Dockerfile
- D.buildspec.yml
Why B: Option A is correct because .ebextensions configuration files in YAML or JSON format are used to set environment properties in Elastic Beanstalk. Option B is wrong because Dockerfile is for Docker containers, not for environment variables. Option C is wrong because the application's package.json is not used for environment-specific configuration. Option D is wrong because the buildspec.yml is for CodeBuild, not Elastic Beanstalk.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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