- A
The Lambda function code has a syntax error that prevents creation.
Why wrong: The Lambda function code syntax error does not prevent the resource from being created; the function is deployed regardless. Syntax errors only cause invocation failures.
- B
The Lambda function was never invoked.
Why wrong: The function was never invoked because it failed to create. This is a result, not the root cause.
- C
The Lambda function's IAM role does not have permission to write to CloudWatch Logs.
Why wrong: Missing CloudWatch Logs permissions on the IAM role do not prevent creation of the Lambda function; they only prevent logging during invocation.
- D
The CloudFormation template has a syntax error.
A syntax error in the CloudFormation template, such as a missing required property for the Lambda resource, can cause creation failure. The error message and lack of logs are consistent with this.
DVA-C02 AWS CloudFormation Resource Creation Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: aWS CloudFormation Resource Creation. 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 CloudFormation. The stack creation fails with the error 'The following resource(s) failed to create: [MyLambdaFunction]'. The developer checks the CloudWatch logs but finds no logs for the Lambda function. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The CloudFormation template has a syntax error.
Option D is correct because a CloudFormation template syntax error, such as a missing required property (e.g., 'Handler' or 'Runtime'), can cause the Lambda function resource to fail creation. The error message indicates the specific resource failed, and the absence of CloudWatch logs is expected because the function was never created. Option A is incorrect because code syntax errors do not prevent resource creation; they affect invocation. Option B is incorrect because the function not being invoked is a consequence, not the cause. Option C is incorrect because missing CloudWatch Logs permissions do not prevent creation; they only affect logging during invocation.
Key principle: AWS CloudFormation Resource Creation
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The Lambda function code has a syntax error that prevents creation.
Why it's wrong here
The Lambda function code syntax error does not prevent the resource from being created; the function is deployed regardless. Syntax errors only cause invocation failures.
- ✗
The Lambda function was never invoked.
Why it's wrong here
The function was never invoked because it failed to create. This is a result, not the root cause.
- ✗
The Lambda function's IAM role does not have permission to write to CloudWatch Logs.
Why it's wrong here
Missing CloudWatch Logs permissions on the IAM role do not prevent creation of the Lambda function; they only prevent logging during invocation.
- ✓
The CloudFormation template has a syntax error.
Why this is correct
A syntax error in the CloudFormation template, such as a missing required property for the Lambda resource, can cause creation failure. The error message and lack of logs are consistent with this.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
AWS CloudFormation Resource Creation
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The key trap is that candidates may assume the absence of logs means the function was never invoked or that a code error existed. However, the error explicitly states the resource failed to create, so the function was never deployed. The missing logs are a direct consequence of the creation failure, not a separate issue. The root cause is often a missing IAM permission for CloudWatch Logs, which is required during resource creation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, when CloudFormation creates a Lambda function, it first provisions the function resource (including code upload) and then attempts to invoke it for a 'Create' event. If the IAM role lacks CloudWatch Logs permissions, the invocation fails silently, and CloudFormation reports a creation failure because the function's initial invocation (for log setup) fails. In real-world scenarios, this often occurs when using a custom IAM role without the AWSLambdaBasicExecutionRole managed policy, leading to a 'ResourceFailedToCreate' error with no logs.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- AWS CloudFormation Resource Creation
- Lambda Execution Role Permissions
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
AWS CloudFormation Resource Creation
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review aWS CloudFormation Resource Creation, 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?
Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — AWS CloudFormation Resource Creation.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The CloudFormation template has a syntax error. — Option D is correct because a CloudFormation template syntax error, such as a missing required property (e.g., 'Handler' or 'Runtime'), can cause the Lambda function resource to fail creation. The error message indicates the specific resource failed, and the absence of CloudWatch logs is expected because the function was never created. Option A is incorrect because code syntax errors do not prevent resource creation; they affect invocation. Option B is incorrect because the function not being invoked is a consequence, not the cause. Option C is incorrect because missing CloudWatch Logs permissions do not prevent creation; they only affect logging during invocation.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review aWS CloudFormation Resource Creation, then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
AWS CloudFormation Resource Creation
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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