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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
buildspec.yaml:
version: 0.2
phases:
install:
runtime-versions:
nodejs: 14
commands:
- npm install
build:
commands:
- npm run build
artifacts:
files:
- '**/*'
base-directory: build
discard-paths: no
Refer to the exhibit. A developer has a buildspec.yaml for a React application. The build completes successfully, but the artifacts output is empty. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
buildspec.yaml:
version: 0.2
phases:
install:
runtime-versions:
nodejs: 14
commands:
- npm install
build:
commands:
- npm run build
artifacts:
files:
- '**/*'
base-directory: build
discard-paths: no
A
The base-directory specified does not exist after the build phase.
If the build outputs to 'dist', the 'build' directory may be empty.
B
The install phase did not run because npm install is not in the correct phase.
Why wrong: The install phase is valid.
C
The artifacts files pattern '**/*' is invalid.
Why wrong: The pattern is valid.
D
The runtime version nodejs 14 is not supported by CodeBuild.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The base-directory specified does not exist after the build phase.
The most likely cause is that the `base-directory` specified in the `artifacts` section of the buildspec.yaml does not exist after the build phase completes. CodeBuild uses the `base-directory` to locate the files to package as artifacts; if the directory is missing (e.g., because the build output was written to a different path or the directory name was misspelled), no files are found, resulting in an empty artifacts output. This is a common misconfiguration when the build process generates files in a subdirectory that does not match the declared `base-directory`.
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.
✓
The base-directory specified does not exist after the build phase.
Why this is correct
If the build outputs to 'dist', the 'build' directory may be empty.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The install phase did not run because npm install is not in the correct phase.
Why it's wrong here
The install phase is valid.
✗
The artifacts files pattern '**/*' is invalid.
Why it's wrong here
The pattern is valid.
✗
The runtime version nodejs 14 is not supported by CodeBuild.
Why it's wrong here
Node.js 14 is supported.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume an empty artifacts output must be caused by a syntax error in the files pattern or a missing install phase, rather than recognizing that a valid but incorrect `base-directory` path silently produces no artifacts.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CodeBuild's artifact collection works by first resolving the `base-directory` relative to the build root (e.g., `/codebuild/output/src...`), then applying the `files` or `discard-paths` settings. If the `base-directory` points to a non-existent path, CodeBuild logs a warning but does not fail the build; it simply collects zero files. In real-world scenarios, developers often set `base-directory` to `dist` or `build` but forget that the build tool outputs to a different folder like `out` or `public`, leading to silent empty artifacts.
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
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: The base-directory specified does not exist after the build phase. — The most likely cause is that the `base-directory` specified in the `artifacts` section of the buildspec.yaml does not exist after the build phase completes. CodeBuild uses the `base-directory` to locate the files to package as artifacts; if the directory is missing (e.g., because the build output was written to a different path or the directory name was misspelled), no files are found, resulting in an empty artifacts output. This is a common misconfiguration when the build process generates files in a subdirectory that does not match the declared `base-directory`.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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