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.
Refer to the exhibit. The above buildspec.yml is used in AWS CodeBuild. The build is failing during the 'build' phase with a 'FileNotFoundError: setup.py' error. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The source code does not contain a setup.py file in the root directory.
The error 'FileNotFoundError: setup.py' indicates that the build process is attempting to run a command (likely `python setup.py install` or `pip install -e .`) that requires a `setup.py` file in the root directory of the source code. Since the buildspec.yml does not explicitly override the default build commands, CodeBuild uses the default build command for Python, which expects `setup.py` to be present. Option A is correct because the most likely cause is that the source code repository lacks a `setup.py` file in its root directory, causing the build phase to fail.
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 source code does not contain a setup.py file in the root directory.
Why this is correct
The build command runs python setup.py build, which requires setup.py in the current directory.
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 unit tests in the post_build phase are failing.
Why it's wrong here
Tests run after build, so they do not cause build phase failure.
✗
The Python version 3.8 is not supported by CodeBuild.
Why it's wrong here
CodeBuild supports Python 3.8.
✗
The artifacts configuration discarding paths is causing the error.
Why it's wrong here
Artifacts configuration does not affect build execution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the build phase error with post_build test failures or artifact configuration issues, but the specific 'FileNotFoundError: setup.py' message directly points to a missing source file, not a runtime or configuration problem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CodeBuild's default Python build image runs `python setup.py install` or `pip install -e .` if no custom build commands are specified in the buildspec. The `setup.py` file is a standard Python packaging script required for building and installing packages; without it, the build fails immediately. In real-world scenarios, developers often use `pyproject.toml` or `setup.cfg` for modern Python packaging, but CodeBuild's default behavior still expects `setup.py` unless explicitly overridden in the buildspec.
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 source code does not contain a setup.py file in the root directory. — The error 'FileNotFoundError: setup.py' indicates that the build process is attempting to run a command (likely `python setup.py install` or `pip install -e .`) that requires a `setup.py` file in the root directory of the source code. Since the buildspec.yml does not explicitly override the default build commands, CodeBuild uses the default build command for Python, which expects `setup.py` to be present. Option A is correct because the most likely cause is that the source code repository lacks a `setup.py` file in its root directory, causing the build phase to fail.
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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Question Discussion
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