Quick Answer
The answer is a Docker image pushed to Amazon ECR. This is correct because when CodeBuild is used to build a Docker image within a CodePipeline, the image itself is the artifact that must be passed to subsequent deployment actions, such as deploying to Amazon ECS. CodeBuild can be configured to push the built image directly to Amazon ECR, and CodePipeline can then reference that ECR repository as the source for a deploy action, making the image available without needing an intermediate S3 artifact. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how CodeBuild’s artifact types differ between traditional file-based outputs and container images—a common trap is assuming the image must be stored in S3 as a zip or tarball. Remember: for Docker images, the artifact is the image in ECR, not a file in S3. A helpful memory tip is “Docker to ECR, code to S3.”
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. 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 DevOps engineer is setting up a CI/CD pipeline for a Node.js application. The application must be built, tested, and deployed to an Amazon ECS cluster. The team wants to use AWS CodeBuild to run unit tests and package the application as a Docker image, and AWS CodePipeline to orchestrate the workflow. Which artifact type should CodeBuild output to be used by a subsequent CodePipeline action?
A Docker image pushed to Amazon ECR.
ECR is the registry for Docker images.
A zip file containing the application source code.
Why wrong: Not needed; Docker image is the artifact.
A tarball stored in Amazon S3.
Why wrong: Docker images are not stored in S3 for ECS deployment.
A JSON file with the image details.
Why wrong: Image details are not an artifact; the image itself is needed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A Docker image pushed to Amazon ECR.
Option D is correct because CodeBuild can output a Docker image to Amazon ECR, and CodePipeline can use that image in a deploy action. Option A is wrong because the buildspec does not produce an artifact; it builds a Docker image. Option B is wrong because the image is pushed to ECR, not stored in S3 directly. Option C is wrong because the image is stored in ECR, not S3.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
A Docker image pushed to Amazon ECR.
Why this is correct
ECR is the registry for Docker images.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
A zip file containing the application source code.
Why it's wrong here
Not needed; Docker image is the artifact.
A tarball stored in Amazon S3.
Why it's wrong here
Docker images are not stored in S3 for ECS deployment.
A JSON file with the image details.
Why it's wrong here
Image details are not an artifact; the image itself is needed.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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
SDLC Automation — This question tests SDLC Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: A Docker image pushed to Amazon ECR. — Option D is correct because CodeBuild can output a Docker image to Amazon ECR, and CodePipeline can use that image in a deploy action. Option A is wrong because the buildspec does not produce an artifact; it builds a Docker image. Option B is wrong because the image is pushed to ECR, not stored in S3 directly. Option C is wrong because the image is stored in ECR, not S3.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DOP-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 DOP-C02 exam.
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