200-901 Application Deployment and Security Practice Question
A developer runs 'docker-compose up -d' for a multi-service application. What does the '-d' flag do?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the `-d` flag to see if candidates confuse it with debugging (`-d` in some tools like `curl`) or assume it stands for 'delete', when in Docker it specifically means 'detached mode'.
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
✓
It runs containers in detached mode (background)
The `-d` flag in `docker-compose up -d` stands for 'detached mode', which instructs Docker Compose to run the containers in the background, freeing the terminal for other commands. This is analogous to the `-d` flag in `docker run -d` and is essential for long-running services that should not block the command-line session.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It enables debugging output
Why it's wrong here
There is no debug flag; verbose logging uses '-v' or other options.
- ✗
It pulls the latest images before starting
Why it's wrong here
Pulling latest images is done by default or with '--pull'.
- ✗
It deletes the containers after they stop
Why it's wrong here
The '--rm' flag removes containers after exit, not '-d'.
- ✓
It runs containers in detached mode (background)
Why this is correct
Detached mode runs containers in the background.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.