Quick Answer
The answer is AWS CodeBuild. This service is the correct choice because it is a fully managed continuous integration service that can build Docker images directly from a Dockerfile, run tests inside the build environment, and push the resulting image to Amazon ECR, all within a CI/CD pipeline for ECS Fargate. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to integrate build and test stages into CodePipeline without managing build servers, often appearing as a scenario where you must distinguish CodeBuild from services like CodeDeploy or Jenkins. A common trap is selecting CodeDeploy, which handles deployment, not image building, or assuming ECR itself builds images. Remember the memory tip: “Build it with CodeBuild, push to ECR, deploy with CodeDeploy” — each service has one clear job in the pipeline.
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. 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.
A company is designing a CI/CD pipeline for a containerized application using AWS CodePipeline. The application is deployed to Amazon ECS with Fargate. The pipeline must automatically build and test code changes before deploying to production. Which service should be used to build and test the Docker images?
AWS CodeDeploy
Why wrong: CodeDeploy handles deployment, not building.
AWS CodeBuild
CodeBuild is a build service that can build Docker images and run tests.
Amazon ECR
Why wrong: ECR is a container registry, not a build service.
AWS CodeCommit
Why wrong: CodeCommit is a source control service.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS CodeBuild
AWS CodeBuild is the correct service because it is a fully managed continuous integration service that compiles source code, runs tests, and produces software packages that are ready to deploy. In this scenario, CodeBuild can build the Docker image from a Dockerfile, run unit or integration tests inside the build environment, and then push the image to Amazon ECR, all within the CI/CD pipeline defined in AWS CodePipeline.
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.
AWS CodeDeploy
Why it's wrong here
CodeDeploy handles deployment, not building.
AWS CodeBuild
Why this is correct
CodeBuild is a build service that can build Docker images and run tests.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon ECR
Why it's wrong here
ECR is a container registry, not a build service.
AWS CodeCommit
Why it's wrong here
CodeCommit is a source control service.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse AWS CodeDeploy's role in ECS deployments with the build and test phase, assuming CodeDeploy handles the entire CI/CD process, when in fact it only handles the deployment step after the image is built and tested by CodeBuild.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, CodeBuild uses a build environment defined by a `buildspec.yml` file, which can include commands like `docker build` and `docker push`. For ECS Fargate, the built image is typically pushed to ECR, and CodePipeline can then trigger an ECS deployment using CodeDeploy or a direct ECS service update. A subtle behavior is that CodeBuild can also run tests in parallel phases and cache dependencies to speed up subsequent builds, which is critical for large containerized applications.
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Design for New Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS CodeBuild — AWS CodeBuild is the correct service because it is a fully managed continuous integration service that compiles source code, runs tests, and produces software packages that are ready to deploy. In this scenario, CodeBuild can build the Docker image from a Dockerfile, run unit or integration tests inside the build environment, and then push the image to Amazon ECR, all within the CI/CD pipeline defined in AWS CodePipeline.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is designing a new CI/CD pipeline for a containerized application using AWS CodePipeline. The application source code is stored in an Amazon S3 bucket. The pipeline must automatically build a Docker image from the source code and push it to Amazon ECR. Which action should be used as the build provider?
mediumWhy D: Option B is correct because AWS CodeBuild can build Docker images and push them to ECR. Option A is wrong because AWS CodeCommit is a source control service, not a build provider. Option C is wrong because Amazon ECS is a container orchestration service, not a build service. Option D is wrong because AWS CodeDeploy is a deployment service, not a build service.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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