KCNA Kubernetes Fundamentals Practice Question
You need to create a ConfigMap from a file named 'app.properties'. Which kubectl command should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The most common mistake is confusing --from-file with --from-env-file. --from-file creates a ConfigMap entry with the filename as the key and file content as value. --from-env-file parses the file line by line as key=value pairs.
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
✓
kubectl create configmap my-config --from-file=app.properties
`kubectl create configmap` with the `--from-file` flag creates a ConfigMap from a file, using the filename as the key and its content as the value. This is the standard way to import a properties file into a ConfigMap in Kubernetes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
kubectl create configmap my-config --from-literal=app.properties
Why it's wrong here
--from-literal is for key=value pairs, not files.
- ✗
kubectl create configmap my-config --file=app.properties
Why it's wrong here
The flag is --from-file, not --file.
- ✗
kubectl create configmap my-config --from-env-file=app.properties
Why it's wrong here
--from-env-file creates a ConfigMap from an environment file, but the question does not specify that format.
- ✓
kubectl create configmap my-config --from-file=app.properties
Why this is correct
This creates a ConfigMap with the file contents.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This KCNA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF 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 KCNA exam.