- A
docker exec my-db tail -f /var/log/mysql
Why wrong: Possible but not the command to view container logs.
- B
docker logs --tail 100 my-db
Why wrong: Shows last 100 lines, not real-time.
- C
docker logs my-db
Why wrong: Shows logs but not real-time.
- D
docker logs -f my-db
Follow mode shows logs in real-time.
Question 330 of 1,000
200-901 Application Deployment and Security Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of application deployment and security. 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.
A developer has a Docker container running a database. They need to inspect the database logs to debug a connection issue. Which command will show the logs in real-time?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
✓
docker logs -f my-db
The `docker logs -f` command attaches to the container's stdout/stderr streams and follows new output in real-time, which is exactly what is needed to debug a live connection issue. The `-f` flag (short for `--follow`) continuously prints log lines as they are written, allowing the developer to observe database connection attempts and errors as they occur.
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.
- ✗
docker exec my-db tail -f /var/log/mysql
Why it's wrong here
Possible but not the command to view container logs.
- ✗
docker logs --tail 100 my-db
Why it's wrong here
Shows last 100 lines, not real-time.
- ✗
docker logs my-db
Why it's wrong here
Shows logs but not real-time.
- ✓
docker logs -f my-db
Why this is correct
Follow mode shows logs in real-time.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between `docker exec` (for running commands inside a container) and `docker logs` (for retrieving container output streams), and the trap here is that candidates may mistakenly think they need to exec into the container and use a Linux command like `tail -f` instead of using the native Docker log-following feature.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Possible but not the command to view container logs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Docker containers capture all stdout and stderr output from the main process (PID 1) and store it in a JSON file on the host, typically under `/var/lib/docker/containers/<container-id>/<container-id>-json.log`. The `docker logs -f` command reads this file and uses inotify or similar kernel mechanisms to watch for appends, streaming new lines to the client. This is the standard way to access container logs without needing to exec into the container or rely on application-specific log file paths.
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 practitioner preparing for the 200-901 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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.
- →
Application Deployment and Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Application Deployment and Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Application Deployment and Security — This question tests Application Deployment and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: docker logs -f my-db — The `docker logs -f` command attaches to the container's stdout/stderr streams and follows new output in real-time, which is exactly what is needed to debug a live connection issue. The `-f` flag (short for `--follow`) continuously prints log lines as they are written, allowing the developer to observe database connection attempts and errors as they occur.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 200-901 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-901 exam.
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