- A
Use the Conditions section to check if the database exists before creating the application tier.
Why wrong: Wrong: Conditions determine conditional creation, not ordering.
- B
Use the Outputs section to export the database endpoint and import it in the application tier.
Why wrong: Wrong: Outputs are used to return values, not to define dependencies.
- C
Use the DependsOn attribute on the application tier resources to reference the database tier resources.
Correct: DependsOn explicitly sets creation order.
- D
Use the Parameters section to pass the database instance identifier to the application stack.
Why wrong: Wrong: Parameters are inputs, not dependency definitions.
Question 1,207 of 1,546
SOA-C02 DependsOn Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment, provisioning, and 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. A key principle to apply: dependsOn. 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 SysOps administrator is automating the deployment of a three-tier web application using AWS CloudFormation. The administrator wants to ensure that the database tier is created before the application tier. How should the administrator define this dependency in the CloudFormation template?
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
✓
Use the DependsOn attribute on the application tier resources to reference the database tier resources.
The correct answer is C because CloudFormation supports the DependsOn attribute to specify resource dependencies. The application tier resources must wait for the database tier resources to be created. Option A is wrong because the Conditions section determines whether resources are created based on conditions, not the creation order. Option B is wrong because the Outputs section exports values for use in other stacks, but does not control the order of creation within the same stack. Option D is wrong because the Parameters section defines input values passed to the template, not dependencies.
Key principle: DependsOn
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use the Conditions section to check if the database exists before creating the application tier.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: Conditions determine conditional creation, not ordering.
- ✗
Use the Outputs section to export the database endpoint and import it in the application tier.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: Outputs are used to return values, not to define dependencies.
- ✓
Use the DependsOn attribute on the application tier resources to reference the database tier resources.
Why this is correct
Correct: DependsOn explicitly sets creation order.
Related concept
DependsOn
- ✗
Use the Parameters section to pass the database instance identifier to the application stack.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: Parameters are inputs, not dependency definitions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common trap is to confuse the purpose of Conditions and Outputs with dependency management. Conditions only control if a resource is created, not when. Outputs are for exporting values, not for ordering.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Wrong: Outputs are used to return values, not to define dependencies.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DependsOn
- Resource dependency
- CloudFormation template sections
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
DependsOn
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review dependsOn, then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — DependsOn.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the DependsOn attribute on the application tier resources to reference the database tier resources. — The correct answer is C because CloudFormation supports the DependsOn attribute to specify resource dependencies. The application tier resources must wait for the database tier resources to be created. Option A is wrong because the Conditions section determines whether resources are created based on conditions, not the creation order. Option B is wrong because the Outputs section exports values for use in other stacks, but does not control the order of creation within the same stack. Option D is wrong because the Parameters section defines input values passed to the template, not dependencies.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review dependsOn, then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
DependsOn
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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