- A
Use IAM policies to restrict developers from pushing to the main branch.
Why wrong: This prevents pushes to main but does not prevent the pipeline from triggering on feature branches that are pushed.
- B
In the CodePipeline source stage, configure the branch filter to only allow the main branch to trigger the pipeline.
Branch filtering at the source stage prevents the pipeline from starting for non-main branches.
- C
Add a manual approval step before the deploy stage and require approval from a senior engineer.
Why wrong: This adds a gate but still triggers the pipeline for feature branches, wasting build resources.
- D
Modify the CodeBuild project to only build the main branch by specifying the branch in the source configuration.
Why wrong: CodeBuild itself does not control pipeline triggers; the pipeline source stage does.
Quick Answer
The answer is to configure a branch filter in the CodePipeline source stage to restrict triggers to the main branch only. This works because the source stage’s branch filter acts as a gate that determines which Git branch events actually start the pipeline execution; by setting it to main, any push or change to a feature branch is simply ignored by the pipeline. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of pipeline event-driven architecture and the precise location where branch control is enforced—a common trap is trying to block deployments later in the pipeline (like in the build or deploy stage), which still wastes resources and allows the pipeline to run. Remember the memory tip: “Filter at the source, stop the force”—the only place to prevent a pipeline from even starting is in the source stage’s branch filter, not in later approval gates or IAM policies.
DOP-C02 SDLC Automation Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 CodeCommit as a Git repository and CodeBuild for continuous integration. The buildspec.yml file includes steps to run unit tests and package the application. The team wants to ensure that only code from the main branch is deployed to production. They have set up a CodePipeline that triggers on changes to any branch. The pipeline includes a build stage that runs CodeBuild, and then a deploy stage that deploys to production. The team noticed that code from feature branches is being deployed to production accidentally. The team wants to modify the pipeline to prevent this. What is the MOST effective solution?
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
In the CodePipeline source stage, configure the branch filter to only allow the main branch to trigger the pipeline.
Option A is correct because adding a filter to the source stage that only triggers on the main branch ensures that feature branch changes do not start the pipeline. Option B is wrong because restricting IAM permissions for developers does not prevent the pipeline from triggering on feature branches if the pipeline is configured to do so. Option C is wrong because a manual approval step prevents unintended deployments but still triggers the pipeline, wasting resources. Option D is wrong because configuring the branch in the build stage does not stop the pipeline from being triggered by feature branches.
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 IAM policies to restrict developers from pushing to the main branch.
Why it's wrong here
This prevents pushes to main but does not prevent the pipeline from triggering on feature branches that are pushed.
- ✓
In the CodePipeline source stage, configure the branch filter to only allow the main branch to trigger the pipeline.
Why this is correct
Branch filtering at the source stage prevents the pipeline from starting for non-main branches.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add a manual approval step before the deploy stage and require approval from a senior engineer.
Why it's wrong here
This adds a gate but still triggers the pipeline for feature branches, wasting build resources.
- ✗
Modify the CodeBuild project to only build the main branch by specifying the branch in the source configuration.
Why it's wrong here
CodeBuild itself does not control pipeline triggers; the pipeline source stage does.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DOP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
SDLC Automation — This question tests SDLC Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: In the CodePipeline source stage, configure the branch filter to only allow the main branch to trigger the pipeline. — Option A is correct because adding a filter to the source stage that only triggers on the main branch ensures that feature branch changes do not start the pipeline. Option B is wrong because restricting IAM permissions for developers does not prevent the pipeline from triggering on feature branches if the pipeline is configured to do so. Option C is wrong because a manual approval step prevents unintended deployments but still triggers the pipeline, wasting resources. Option D is wrong because configuring the branch in the build stage does not stop the pipeline from being triggered by feature branches.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DOP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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