200-901 Software Development and Design Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of software development and design. 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 Python script used for network automation requires storing an API secret. Which approach is the most secure and recommended best practice?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use environment variables
Option D is correct because storing secrets in environment variables decouples sensitive data from the source code, preventing accidental exposure in version control systems like Git. This approach follows the principle of least privilege and is recommended by security best practices such as the Twelve-Factor App methodology. Environment variables are managed outside the script, reducing the risk of credential leakage during code sharing or deployment.
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.
✗
Hardcode the secret in the Python script
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding exposes secrets in version control and is insecure.
✗
Store the secret in a plain text file in the repository
Why it's wrong here
Plain text files in repos are insecure and can be accidentally committed.
✗
Encrypt the secret and store it in the script
Why it's wrong here
Encryption keys still need to be stored somewhere, and decryption at runtime adds complexity without clear benefit over env vars.
✓
Use environment variables
Why this is correct
Environment variables keep secrets out of code and are configurable per deployment.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" 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 misconception that encryption within the script is sufficient, but the trap is that the decryption key must still be stored somewhere, creating a key management problem that environment variables solve by keeping secrets out of the code entirely.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Environment variables are stored in the process's memory space and are accessible via the `os.environ` dictionary in Python, which avoids writing secrets to disk. In production, secrets are often injected via container orchestration tools (e.g., Kubernetes Secrets) or CI/CD pipelines, ensuring they are never part of the codebase. A subtle behavior is that environment variables can be inherited by child processes, so care must be taken to avoid leaking them to subprocesses that do not need them.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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.
Software Development and Design — This question tests Software Development and Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use environment variables — Option D is correct because storing secrets in environment variables decouples sensitive data from the source code, preventing accidental exposure in version control systems like Git. This approach follows the principle of least privilege and is recommended by security best practices such as the Twelve-Factor App methodology. Environment variables are managed outside the script, reducing the risk of credential leakage during code sharing or deployment.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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