- A
Use a language runtime with faster startup time, such as Python or Node.js.
These runtimes have lower initialization overhead compared to Java or .NET.
- B
Place the Lambda function inside a VPC.
Why wrong: VPC functions require creating an ENI, which increases cold start latency.
- C
Enable provisioned concurrency for the function.
Provisioned concurrency pre-initializes environments, eliminating cold starts.
- D
Increase the function's memory allocation.
More memory also allocates more CPU, reducing initialization time.
- E
Increase the function's timeout setting.
Why wrong: Timeout does not affect cold start; it only limits execution duration.
Question 1,363 of 1,616
Improving Lambda Cold Start Latency
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. 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.
Which THREE actions can a developer take to improve the cold start latency of an AWS Lambda function?
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 a language runtime with faster startup time, such as Python or Node.js.
Option A is correct because Python and Node.js use interpreted runtimes with faster initialization times compared to compiled runtimes like Java or .NET. These runtimes have smaller binary sizes and lower startup overhead, reducing the time from invocation to execution start, which directly improves cold start latency.
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 a language runtime with faster startup time, such as Python or Node.js.
Why this is correct
These runtimes have lower initialization overhead compared to Java or .NET.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Place the Lambda function inside a VPC.
Why it's wrong here
VPC functions require creating an ENI, which increases cold start latency.
- ✓
Enable provisioned concurrency for the function.
Why this is correct
Provisioned concurrency pre-initializes environments, eliminating cold starts.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Increase the function's memory allocation.
Why this is correct
More memory also allocates more CPU, reducing initialization time.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the function's timeout setting.
Why it's wrong here
Timeout does not affect cold start; it only limits execution duration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse increasing timeout or placing functions in a VPC as performance optimizations, when in reality VPCs worsen cold starts and timeout only affects execution duration, not initialization speed.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cold start latency is primarily caused by the time required to download the function code, initialize the runtime, and run any initialization code outside the handler. Provisioned concurrency (Option C) pre-warms a specified number of execution environments, eliminating cold starts for those instances. Increasing memory (Option D) also proportionally increases CPU allocation, which can speed up runtime initialization and code loading, as Lambda allocates CPU power linearly with memory up to 3,008 MB.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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.
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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 a language runtime with faster startup time, such as Python or Node.js. — Option A is correct because Python and Node.js use interpreted runtimes with faster initialization times compared to compiled runtimes like Java or .NET. These runtimes have smaller binary sizes and lower startup overhead, reducing the time from invocation to execution start, which directly improves cold start latency.
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
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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