- A
It enables debugging output
Why wrong: There is no debug flag; verbose logging uses '-v' or other options.
- B
It pulls the latest images before starting
Why wrong: Pulling latest images is done by default or with '--pull'.
- C
It deletes the containers after they stop
Why wrong: The '--rm' flag removes containers after exit, not '-d'.
- D
It runs containers in detached mode (background)
Detached mode runs containers in the background.
Question 893 of 1,000
200-901 Application Deployment and Security Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of application deployment and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 runs 'docker-compose up -d' for a multi-service application. What does the '-d' flag do?
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.
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.
- ✗
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.
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 `-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'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When `-d` is used, Docker Compose creates the containers and then returns control to the shell immediately, while the containers continue running in the background. The containers are assigned to a background process group, and their logs are not streamed to the terminal unless explicitly fetched with `docker-compose logs`. This is critical for CI/CD pipelines or production deployments where the terminal must not be occupied.
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.
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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: 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.
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.
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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