DVA-C02 Development with AWS Services Practice Question
A developer is writing a Lambda function that processes images uploaded to an S3 bucket. The function needs to extract metadata from the image. Which S3 feature can be used to automatically trigger the Lambda function?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse S3 Batch Operations (which can invoke Lambda functions for batch processing) with real-time event triggers, but Batch Operations require a manual job initiation and do not automatically fire on each upload.
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
✓
S3 Events
Amazon S3 Events can be configured to send a notification when an object is created (e.g., via PutObject) in an S3 bucket. This event can directly invoke an AWS Lambda function, making it the correct service to automatically trigger the function upon image upload. The developer simply needs to set up an S3 event notification with the Lambda function as the destination.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
S3 Events
Why this is correct
S3 Event Notifications are the correct mechanism for triggering real-time actions in response to object changes within an S3 bucket. When an image is uploaded, S3 can publish an event to a configured destination, such as an AWS Lambda function. This allows for immediate, automated processing like image resizing, watermarking, or metadata extraction as soon as the object creation event occurs.
- ✗
S3 Inventory
Why it's wrong here
S3 Inventory generates daily or weekly reports listing objects and their metadata within a specified bucket or prefix. While useful for auditing, compliance, and large-scale data analysis, it provides a static, periodic snapshot of objects rather than real-time event notifications. Therefore, S3 Inventory cannot trigger immediate actions like a Lambda function execution upon an individual image upload.
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S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why it's wrong here
S3 Transfer Acceleration utilizes Amazon CloudFront's globally distributed edge locations to speed up data transfers to and from S3 buckets over long distances. Its sole purpose is to optimize the network path and enhance upload performance, particularly for clients far from the S3 region. Transfer Acceleration does not generate any event notifications or provide a mechanism to trigger Lambda functions upon an object's arrival.
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S3 Batch Operations
Why it's wrong here
S3 Batch Operations allows users to perform large-scale, automated operations on millions or billions of objects stored in S3, such as copying, tagging, or restoring from Glacier. These operations are initiated manually or programmatically based on a manifest file, not automatically triggered by individual object uploads. Consequently, S3 Batch Operations is a tool for bulk management, not an event source for real-time processing.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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