The answer is to check if the nginx configuration file is being overwritten by later deployment phases. This is correct because Elastic Beanstalk custom platform extensions run during specific lifecycle hooks, but subsequent deployment phases—such as the application deployment hook or container commands—can overwrite the modified nginx configuration file after the extension script has already executed successfully. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Elastic Beanstalk deployment workflow and the order of execution for platform hooks, platform extensions, and application files. A common trap is assuming that a successful script run guarantees the change persists, when in reality the file may be replaced by a later step like an ebextension or a configuration file from the application source bundle. Remember the memory tip: "Script ran, but later plan—check the overwrite plan."
DOP-C02 Configuration Management and IaC Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of configuration management and iac. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
An organization uses AWS Elastic Beanstalk for deploying a web application. They have a custom platform extension that modifies the nginx configuration. After a recent deployment, the custom configuration is not applied. The environment logs show that the platform extension script ran successfully. What should the engineer check first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check if the nginx configuration file is being overwritten by later deployment phases.
Option A is correct because if the file is overwritten after the script runs, the changes are lost. Option B is wrong because the script ran successfully. Option C is wrong because the script ran. Option D is wrong because it is less likely the first check.
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.
✗
Review the application source code for errors.
Why it's wrong here
Issue is with platform extension, not application code.
✗
Ensure the script has execute permissions.
Why it's wrong here
Script ran successfully, so permissions are fine.
✓
Check if the nginx configuration file is being overwritten by later deployment phases.
Why this is correct
The extension script may run early, and later steps may overwrite the config.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Verify that the platform extension is in the correct folder.
Why it's wrong here
If it ran, it's in the correct location.
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.
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check if the nginx configuration file is being overwritten by later deployment phases. — Option A is correct because if the file is overwritten after the script runs, the changes are lost. Option B is wrong because the script ran successfully. Option C is wrong because the script ran. Option D is wrong because it is less likely the first check.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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