- A
Use AWS CodeDeploy with an in-place deployment configuration.
CodeDeploy can manage application lifecycle during deployment.
- B
Configure the EC2 instances behind an Auto Scaling group and use a rolling update.
Rolling updates replace instances gradually without downtime.
- C
Define an AppSpec file that includes 'BeforeInstall' and 'AfterInstall' hooks to stop and start the application.
Hooks ensure the application is stopped before new files are copied.
- D
Use AWS CodeBuild to build and deploy the application.
Why wrong: CodeBuild is for build, not deployment orchestration.
- E
Use Amazon Inspector to check the application before deployment.
Why wrong: Inspector is for security assessment, not deployment.
Question 1,090 of 1,616
Zero-Downtime Deployments on EC2
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 company uses AWS CodePipeline to deploy a web application to an EC2 instance. The deployment often fails because the application is still running when new files are copied. Which THREE actions can be combined to achieve zero-downtime deployments?
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 AWS CodeDeploy with an in-place deployment configuration.
Option A is correct because AWS CodeDeploy with an in-place deployment configuration can be combined with lifecycle hooks (such as BeforeInstall and AfterInstall) to stop the application before new files are copied and start it afterward, enabling zero-downtime deployments when properly orchestrated with a load balancer to drain traffic. Option B is correct because configuring EC2 instances behind an Auto Scaling group with a rolling update allows new instances to be launched with the updated application while old instances are terminated, ensuring continuous service availability. Option C is correct because defining an AppSpec file with BeforeInstall and AfterInstall hooks provides the mechanism to gracefully stop and start the application, preventing file conflicts and downtime.
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 AWS CodeDeploy with an in-place deployment configuration.
Why this is correct
CodeDeploy can manage application lifecycle during deployment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Configure the EC2 instances behind an Auto Scaling group and use a rolling update.
Why this is correct
Rolling updates replace instances gradually without downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Define an AppSpec file that includes 'BeforeInstall' and 'AfterInstall' hooks to stop and start the application.
Why this is correct
Hooks ensure the application is stopped before new files are copied.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS CodeBuild to build and deploy the application.
Why it's wrong here
CodeBuild is for build, not deployment orchestration.
- ✗
Use Amazon Inspector to check the application before deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Inspector is for security assessment, not deployment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse CodeBuild (a build service) with a deployment tool, or assume Amazon Inspector (a security scanner) can manage deployment workflows, when in fact only CodeDeploy and Auto Scaling groups provide the necessary lifecycle hooks and traffic management for zero-downtime updates.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Zero-downtime deployments rely on traffic shifting and application lifecycle management. In CodeDeploy, the AppSpec file's hooks execute scripts at specific lifecycle events (e.g., BeforeInstall to stop the app, AfterInstall to start it), while an in-place deployment with a load balancer deregisters the instance before updates and re-registers it after, preventing traffic loss. Rolling updates in Auto Scaling groups work by incrementally replacing instances, ensuring a minimum number of healthy instances remain in service throughout the process.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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 AWS CodeDeploy with an in-place deployment configuration. — Option A is correct because AWS CodeDeploy with an in-place deployment configuration can be combined with lifecycle hooks (such as BeforeInstall and AfterInstall) to stop the application before new files are copied and start it afterward, enabling zero-downtime deployments when properly orchestrated with a load balancer to drain traffic. Option B is correct because configuring EC2 instances behind an Auto Scaling group with a rolling update allows new instances to be launched with the updated application while old instances are terminated, ensuring continuous service availability. Option C is correct because defining an AppSpec file with BeforeInstall and AfterInstall hooks provides the mechanism to gracefully stop and start the application, preventing file conflicts and downtime.
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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