- A
Terraform configuration files
Why wrong: Terraform is not part of the SAM toolchain; SAM uses its own template format.
- B
aws cloudformation deploy command
This command deploys the packaged application.
- C
AWS SAM template file (template.yaml)
The SAM template defines the serverless resources.
- D
aws cloudformation package command
Why wrong: This command packages the application artifacts and uploads them to S3.
- E
AWS CLI with aws lambda update-function-code command
Why wrong: This command updates a single Lambda function, not the entire application stack.
Question 1,598 of 1,616
AWS SAM Deployment Tools: Template, Package, and Deploy
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.
A developer is deploying a serverless application using the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM). The application consists of an API Gateway, Lambda functions, and a DynamoDB table. The developer wants to define and deploy this infrastructure as code. Which files and tools are required? (Choose THREE.)
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
✓
aws cloudformation deploy command
The AWS SAM template file (template.yaml) is required to define the serverless application resources. The `aws cloudformation deploy` command deploys the template as a CloudFormation stack. The `aws cloudformation package` command is not required because SAM handles packaging through its own `sam package` command. Therefore, only the template file and the deploy command are essential for deploying a SAM application.
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.
- ✗
Terraform configuration files
Why it's wrong here
Terraform is not part of the SAM toolchain; SAM uses its own template format.
- ✓
aws cloudformation deploy command
Why this is correct
This command deploys the packaged application.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
AWS SAM template file (template.yaml)
Why this is correct
The SAM template defines the serverless resources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
aws cloudformation package command
Why it's wrong here
This command packages the application artifacts and uploads them to S3.
- ✗
AWS CLI with aws lambda update-function-code command
Why it's wrong here
This command updates a single Lambda function, not the entire application stack.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates might think only the SAM template file is enough, but they overlook that the `package` and `deploy` commands are essential to upload artifacts and orchestrate the CloudFormation stack deployment.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command packages the application artifacts and uploads them to S3.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the `aws cloudformation package` command (option D) uploads local artifacts (e.g., Lambda code, API definitions) to Amazon S3 and generates a modified template with the S3 URIs. The `aws cloudformation deploy` command then uses this packaged template to create or update the CloudFormation stack, which provisions all resources (API Gateway, Lambda, DynamoDB) in the correct order, handling dependencies and rollbacks automatically.
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.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Development with AWS Services — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Development with AWS Services practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DVA-C02 questions
1,616 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DVA-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DVA-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Development with AWS Services practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Development with AWS Services.
Security practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Security.
Deployment practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Deployment.
Troubleshooting and Optimization practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Troubleshooting and Optimization.
DVA-C02 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 fundamentals.
DVA-C02 scenario practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 scenario.
DVA-C02 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DVA-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: aws cloudformation deploy command — The AWS SAM template file (template.yaml) is required to define the serverless application resources. The `aws cloudformation deploy` command deploys the template as a CloudFormation stack. The `aws cloudformation package` command is not required because SAM handles packaging through its own `sam package` command. Therefore, only the template file and the deploy command are essential for deploying a SAM application.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More DVA-C02 practice questions
- A developer is troubleshooting an AWS Lambda function that is triggered by an S3 event. The function occasionally fails…
- A developer needs to call AWS APIs from application code running on EC2. Which credential source should the AWS SDK use…
- A developer needs to allow an IAM user in a different AWS account to assume a role in the developer's account. The role…
- A developer needs to grant an IAM role in Account B read-only access to objects in an S3 bucket in Account A. The bucket…
- An API Gateway HTTP API should allow access only to users authenticated by an external OIDC provider. Which authorizer t…
- A developer needs to allow an EC2 instance to read from a DynamoDB table. Which is the best practice to grant permission…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.