Quick Answer
The answer is the AppSpec file’s hooks section. This is correct because the hooks section contains lifecycle event hooks such as BeforeAllowTraffic and AfterAllowTraffic, which explicitly define the scripts that register or deregister instances with the load balancer target group. While the deployment group configuration specifies which target group to use, the actual registration action is triggered by the hooks in the AppSpec file, not by the deployment group, the CodeDeploy agent, or the revision itself. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how CodeDeploy orchestrates traffic shifting during deployments, often trapping candidates who confuse the deployment group’s role with the hooks’ execution. A common memory tip is to think of the hooks as the “traffic cops” that control when an instance enters or leaves the load balancer rotation, with BeforeAllowTraffic handling deregistration and AfterAllowTraffic managing registration.
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.
An organization is using AWS CodeDeploy to deploy an application to an Auto Scaling group. The deployment fails because the target group is not configured correctly. Which CodeDeploy component is responsible for registering instances with the load balancer?
The CodeDeploy agent configuration
Why wrong: Agent configures itself, not traffic routing
The deployment group configuration
Why wrong: Deployment group defines the target group, but does not contain registration scripts
The AppSpec file hooks section
Hooks define lifecycle events, including registration/deregistration
The application revision bundle
Why wrong: Revision bundle contains the application code
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The AppSpec file hooks section
The AppSpec file's 'hooks' section includes lifecycle hooks like BeforeInstall, AfterInstall, ApplicationStart, etc. One of the hooks is 'BeforeAllowTraffic' and 'AfterAllowTraffic', which are used to manage traffic routing and deregister/register instances with the load balancer. The 'hooks' section in AppSpec contains the script to register/deregister. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because the deployment group defines the target group, but the registration action is in the AppSpec hooks. Option C is wrong because CodeDeploy agent runs the scripts, but the configuration is in AppSpec. Option D is wrong because the revision contains the application files, not the traffic routing logic.
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.
The CodeDeploy agent configuration
Why it's wrong here
Agent configures itself, not traffic routing
The deployment group configuration
Why it's wrong here
Deployment group defines the target group, but does not contain registration scripts
The AppSpec file hooks section
Why this is correct
Hooks define lifecycle events, including registration/deregistration
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The application revision bundle
Why it's wrong here
Revision bundle contains the application code
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 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
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: The AppSpec file hooks section — The AppSpec file's 'hooks' section includes lifecycle hooks like BeforeInstall, AfterInstall, ApplicationStart, etc. One of the hooks is 'BeforeAllowTraffic' and 'AfterAllowTraffic', which are used to manage traffic routing and deregister/register instances with the load balancer. The 'hooks' section in AppSpec contains the script to register/deregister. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because the deployment group defines the target group, but the registration action is in the AppSpec hooks. Option C is wrong because CodeDeploy agent runs the scripts, but the configuration is in AppSpec. Option D is wrong because the revision contains the application files, not the traffic routing logic.
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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