KCNA Cloud Native Architecture Practice Question
In the context of the 12-factor app methodology, which factor requires that an app's configuration be stored in environment variables?
⚠ Common exam trap
KCNA often tests whether candidates confuse Config with Backing Services — both involve external resources, but only Config mandates environment-variable storage.
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
✓
Config
The Config factor of the 12-factor app methodology explicitly states that configuration should be stored in environment variables, not in code or config files checked into the repository. This separates config that varies between deploys (database URLs, API keys, feature flags) from the immutable codebase, enabling the same artifact to be promoted across environments. Environment variables are language-agnostic and easily injected by the platform.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Config
Why this is correct
The Config factor mandates strict separation of configuration from code, storing deploy-specific values such as credentials and endpoints in environment variables rather than committed files, so the same build can be promoted across environments unchanged.
- ✗
Dependencies
Why it's wrong here
Dependencies concerns explicitly declaring and isolating libraries via a dependency manifest, not configuration storage. Environment variables are the mechanism mandated by the Config factor. Choosing Dependencies confuses packaging isolation with runtime configuration, so it fails to satisfy the requirement that config live outside the codebase.
- ✗
Codebase
Why it's wrong here
Codebase concerns one repository tracked in revision control, deployed to many environments; it says nothing about configuration storage. The Config factor requires settings in environment variables. Selecting Codebase mistakes version-control practice for configuration management, so it does not satisfy the stem's requirement.
- ✗
Backing services
Why it's wrong here
Backing services concerns treating databases, queues and caches as attached resources swapped via configuration, not where configuration itself is stored. The Config factor mandates environment variables. Backing services would be the answer if the question asked how to decouple a database from the app.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CNCF exam blueprint
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