The correct answer involves three steps: taking a manual snapshot of the RDS database before the migration, running the migration as a CodeDeploy script, and configuring the CodeDeploy deployment group to automatically roll back on failure. This works because a pre-migration snapshot provides a reliable restore point, allowing you to revert the database to its exact previous state if the migration script fails, while CodeDeploy’s built-in rollback mechanism handles the application deployment reversal. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of combining database state management with deployment automation—a common trap is assuming RDS automated backups are sufficient for rollback, but they lack the precise point-in-time control of a manual snapshot taken just before migration. A useful memory tip is “snap before you script, rollback on fail”—always snapshot the database immediately prior to running migration scripts, and rely on CodeDeploy’s automatic rollback trigger to restore both the application and the database snapshot.
DOP-C02 SDLC Automation Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. 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 DevOps engineer is building a CI/CD pipeline for a PHP application that uses Amazon RDS for MySQL. The pipeline must run database migrations as part of the deployment. The team wants to ensure that if a migration fails, the deployment is rolled back and the database is restored to its previous state. Which THREE steps should the engineer implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Take a snapshot of the RDS database before the migration.
Option A is correct because a snapshot provides a restore point. Option B is correct because CodeDeploy can run scripts, including migration scripts. Option D is correct because rollback can be configured in CodeDeploy. Option C is not typically used for database migrations. Option E is not a standard practice for rollback.
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.
✓
Take a snapshot of the RDS database before the migration.
Why this is correct
Allows restoration if migration fails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use CloudFormation with a custom resource to run the migration.
Why it's wrong here
This is possible but not a standard step for rollback.
✓
Use CodeDeploy's AppSpec file to run a migration script in the AfterInstall lifecycle hook.
Why this is correct
CodeDeploy can execute scripts after installation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to replicate the database continuously.
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for ongoing replication, not for migration rollback.
✓
Configure the CodeDeploy deployment group to automatically roll back on failure.
Why this is correct
Auto-rollback can restore the previous application version and trigger database restore.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
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.
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: Take a snapshot of the RDS database before the migration. — Option A is correct because a snapshot provides a restore point. Option B is correct because CodeDeploy can run scripts, including migration scripts. Option D is correct because rollback can be configured in CodeDeploy. Option C is not typically used for database migrations. Option E is not a standard practice for rollback.
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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Question Discussion
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