- A
Use the parameter reference 'Ref: StageName' in the environment variable mapping.
Ref can reference a parameter defined in the template.
- B
Define the environment variable as 'Stage: dev' in the Lambda function configuration.
Why wrong: Hardcoding the value does not allow dynamic stage names.
- C
Use 'Fn::GetAtt: [AWS::StackName, Outputs.StageName]' to get the stage name.
Why wrong: GetAtt is not used for parameters, and stack name is not the stage parameter.
- D
Use 'Fn::ImportValue: StageName' to import from another stack.
Why wrong: ImportValue is used for cross-stack references, not for parameters.
Question 612 of 1,616
How to Pass Stage Names to Lambda via Environment Variables Using SAM Parameters
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. A key principle to apply: ref function. 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 application includes an API Gateway endpoint that invokes a Lambda function. The developer wants to pass a stage name as a parameter to the Lambda function. How should the developer define the Lambda function's environment variable in the SAM template?
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 the parameter reference 'Ref: StageName' in the environment variable mapping.
Option A is correct because the `Ref: StageName` references a parameter defined in the SAM template, which can be passed as an environment variable to the Lambda function. This allows dynamic stage names instead of hardcoding. Option B is wrong because hardcoding 'Stage: dev' defeats the purpose of parameterization. Option C is wrong because `Fn::GetAtt` is used to retrieve attributes of resources, not parameter values. Option D is wrong because `Fn::ImportValue` is for cross-stack references, not for template parameters.
Key principle: Ref function
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 the parameter reference 'Ref: StageName' in the environment variable mapping.
Why this is correct
Ref can reference a parameter defined in the template.
Related concept
Ref function
- ✗
Define the environment variable as 'Stage: dev' in the Lambda function configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding the value does not allow dynamic stage names.
- ✗
Use 'Fn::GetAtt: [AWS::StackName, Outputs.StageName]' to get the stage name.
Why it's wrong here
GetAtt is not used for parameters, and stack name is not the stage parameter.
- ✗
Use 'Fn::ImportValue: StageName' to import from another stack.
Why it's wrong here
ImportValue is used for cross-stack references, not for parameters.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common trap is using `Fn::GetAtt` or `Fn::ImportValue` to reference a simple parameter, when `Ref` is the correct intrinsic function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Ref function
- AWS SAM template
- Lambda environment variables
- Parameterization
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
Ref function
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. Ref function 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.
Review ref function, then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Development with AWS Services — study guide chapter
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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 — Ref function.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the parameter reference 'Ref: StageName' in the environment variable mapping. — Option A is correct because the `Ref: StageName` references a parameter defined in the SAM template, which can be passed as an environment variable to the Lambda function. This allows dynamic stage names instead of hardcoding. Option B is wrong because hardcoding 'Stage: dev' defeats the purpose of parameterization. Option C is wrong because `Fn::GetAtt` is used to retrieve attributes of resources, not parameter values. Option D is wrong because `Fn::ImportValue` is for cross-stack references, not for template parameters.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review ref function, then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Ref function
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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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