- A
Use SAM parameters to pass stage-specific values into the template.
Parameters allow passing different values for different stages.
- B
Define the environment variables in the Lambda function configuration and use 'Ref' with the stage name.
Why wrong: There is no built-in 'Ref' for stage name.
- C
Hardcode the environment variables in the SAM template for each stage.
Why wrong: Hardcoding reduces reusability and increases error risk.
- D
Use AWS CloudFormation 'Conditions' to set environment variables based on the stage.
Why wrong: Conditions control resource creation, not variable assignment.
Question 1,065 of 1,616
Using SAM Parameters to Set Stage-Specific Lambda Environment Variables
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. 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 developer wants to set environment variables for the Lambda function that are specific to the deployment stage (e.g., dev, prod). How should the developer accomplish 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
✓
Use SAM parameters to pass stage-specific values into the template.
Option A is correct because AWS SAM natively supports template parameters, which allow you to pass stage-specific values (e.g., environment variables) at deployment time. By defining a parameter in the SAM template and referencing it in the Lambda function's `Environment.Variables` section, you can inject different values for dev, prod, etc., without modifying the template itself. This approach leverages CloudFormation's parameter substitution to keep the template reusable and environment-agnostic.
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 SAM parameters to pass stage-specific values into the template.
Why this is correct
Parameters allow passing different values for different stages.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Define the environment variables in the Lambda function configuration and use 'Ref' with the stage name.
Why it's wrong here
There is no built-in 'Ref' for stage name.
- ✗
Hardcode the environment variables in the SAM template for each stage.
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding reduces reusability and increases error risk.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudFormation 'Conditions' to set environment variables based on the stage.
Why it's wrong here
Conditions control resource creation, not variable assignment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse CloudFormation `Conditions` with parameter substitution, mistakenly thinking conditions can assign different values to a property, when in fact conditions only control resource creation or property presence, not value selection.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, SAM parameters are passed via the `--parameter-overrides` flag in the `sam deploy` command, which maps to CloudFormation's `Parameters` section. The `Environment.Variables` property in the AWS::Serverless::Function resource accepts a map of key-value pairs, and using `Ref` on a parameter allows CloudFormation to substitute the correct value at stack creation time. A subtle behavior is that SAM also supports `ParameterStore` or `SecretsManager` for sensitive values, but for stage-specific non-secret variables, parameters are the simplest and most maintainable approach.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use SAM parameters to pass stage-specific values into the template. — Option A is correct because AWS SAM natively supports template parameters, which allow you to pass stage-specific values (e.g., environment variables) at deployment time. By defining a parameter in the SAM template and referencing it in the Lambda function's `Environment.Variables` section, you can inject different values for dev, prod, etc., without modifying the template itself. This approach leverages CloudFormation's parameter substitution to keep the template reusable and environment-agnostic.
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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