- A
Set the environment variable 'JAVA_HOME' in the buildspec file's 'env' section.
Setting JAVA_HOME in the 'env' section ensures it is available in all build phases.
- B
Use the managed image 'aws/codebuild/standard:5.0' which has Java pre-installed.
Why wrong: The managed image has Java, but JAVA_HOME may still need to be set depending on the build.
- C
Install Java in the pre_build phase using a command.
Why wrong: Installing Java does not set JAVA_HOME automatically; the variable must be set explicitly.
- D
Use a custom Docker image that has Java pre-installed.
Why wrong: While a custom image can help, the error is about JAVA_HOME not being set, not about Java availability.
Question 206 of 1,750
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 development team uses AWS CodeBuild to compile a Java application. The build fails during the 'Install' phase with an error: 'Error: JAVA_HOME is not set'. How should the team fix this?
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
✓
Set the environment variable 'JAVA_HOME' in the buildspec file's 'env' section.
Option A is correct because the error 'JAVA_HOME is not set' indicates that the build environment lacks the required environment variable pointing to the Java installation. In AWS CodeBuild, the buildspec file's 'env' section allows you to define environment variables, including 'JAVA_HOME', which can be set to the path of the Java runtime (e.g., '/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64'). This ensures the variable is available during the Install phase, resolving the error without altering the build image or adding installation steps.
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.
- ✓
Set the environment variable 'JAVA_HOME' in the buildspec file's 'env' section.
Why this is correct
Setting JAVA_HOME in the 'env' section ensures it is available in all build phases.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the managed image 'aws/codebuild/standard:5.0' which has Java pre-installed.
Why it's wrong here
The managed image has Java, but JAVA_HOME may still need to be set depending on the build.
- ✗
Install Java in the pre_build phase using a command.
Why it's wrong here
Installing Java does not set JAVA_HOME automatically; the variable must be set explicitly.
- ✗
Use a custom Docker image that has Java pre-installed.
Why it's wrong here
While a custom image can help, the error is about JAVA_HOME not being set, not about Java availability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume using a managed image with Java pre-installed automatically sets JAVA_HOME, but AWS CodeBuild images do not always export this variable by default, requiring explicit definition in the buildspec.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CodeBuild executes build phases sequentially, and the 'Install' phase runs before 'pre_build'. The JAVA_HOME variable is typically set by the Java installer (e.g., via update-alternatives) but may not persist in the build environment unless explicitly defined in the buildspec's 'env' section or the underlying image's shell profile. In real-world scenarios, teams often combine setting JAVA_HOME with using a managed image that includes Java, ensuring both the runtime and the variable are present for tools like Maven or Gradle that rely on it.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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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: Set the environment variable 'JAVA_HOME' in the buildspec file's 'env' section. — Option A is correct because the error 'JAVA_HOME is not set' indicates that the build environment lacks the required environment variable pointing to the Java installation. In AWS CodeBuild, the buildspec file's 'env' section allows you to define environment variables, including 'JAVA_HOME', which can be set to the path of the Java runtime (e.g., '/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64'). This ensures the variable is available during the Install phase, resolving the error without altering the build image or adding installation steps.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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