The answer is that the --query parameter syntax is incorrect. The JMESPath query syntax in AWS CLI requires the `contains` function to be written exactly as `contains(Name, 'production')`, but the engineer likely added extra quotes, brackets, or a pipe that broke the expression, causing the filter to return no results despite the projects existing. This question tests your ability to troubleshoot JMESPath expressions, a common trap on the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam where candidates confuse shell quoting with JMESPath syntax—remember that the outer quotes belong to the shell, while the inner string must be single-quoted without additional punctuation. A quick memory tip: in JMESPath, `contains` always takes two arguments—the array or string to search and the literal value in single quotes—and never needs a dot or bracket before the parentheses.
DOP-C02 SDLC Automation Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. A DevOps engineer runs this AWS CLI command to list all CodeBuild projects with 'production' in their name. The command returns an empty list, but the engineer knows there are projects named 'production-app' and 'production-backend'. What is the most likely reason?
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 --query parameter syntax is incorrect.
Option C is correct because the --query parameter uses JMESPath syntax, and the filter expression `contains(Name, 'production')` is incorrectly written. The correct syntax should be `contains(Name, 'production')` without extra quotes or brackets around the string. The empty result indicates the query failed to match due to syntax error, not because the projects don't exist.
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 IAM user does not have list-projects permission.
Why it's wrong here
That would produce an error.
✗
The AWS CLI is not configured with valid credentials.
Why it's wrong here
If credentials were invalid, an error would appear.
✓
The --query parameter syntax is incorrect.
Why this is correct
The JMESPath query is malformed; it should be something like 'projects[?contains(@, `production`)]'.
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 region specified is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
The region is explicitly set.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume an empty list means no matching projects exist, rather than suspecting a query syntax error, especially when the command otherwise runs without errors.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The AWS CLI `--query` parameter uses JMESPath, a JSON query language. The `contains()` function expects two arguments: the array element (e.g., `Name`) and a literal string. A common mistake is wrapping the string in quotes within the expression, which breaks the syntax. In real-world scenarios, using `--query "projects[?contains(Name, 'production')]"` would correctly filter the list. The CLI returns an empty list when the query is syntactically valid but matches nothing, or when the query is malformed but still parses to a null result.
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 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 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 --query parameter syntax is incorrect. — Option C is correct because the --query parameter uses JMESPath syntax, and the filter expression `contains(Name, 'production')` is incorrectly written. The correct syntax should be `contains(Name, 'production')` without extra quotes or brackets around the string. The empty result indicates the query failed to match due to syntax error, not because the projects don't exist.
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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