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XK0-006 Practice Question: After a system update, a custom application no…
After a system update, a custom application no longer runs due to a shared library error. The library exists on the system but is in a non-standard path. Which environment variable should be checked or set to resolve this?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between LD_LIBRARY_PATH (runtime library search path) and LD_RUN_PATH (link-time RPATH embedding), causing candidates to confuse the two when the question explicitly mentions a runtime error after an update.
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
✓
LD_LIBRARY_PATH
The LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable tells the dynamic linker (ld.so) where to search for shared libraries before the standard system paths. When a custom application fails with a shared library error after an update, and the library exists in a non-standard path, setting LD_LIBRARY_PATH to include that path resolves the issue by allowing the linker to find the library at runtime.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
LD_PRELOAD
Why it's wrong here
LD_PRELOAD forces loading of specific libraries before all others, not for general library search.
- ✗
PATH
Why it's wrong here
PATH is for executables, not libraries.
- ✓
LD_LIBRARY_PATH
Why this is correct
This environment variable tells the dynamic linker where to find libraries.
- ✗
LD_RUN_PATH
Why it's wrong here
LD_RUN_PATH is used at link time to embed a search path, not at runtime.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 XK0-006 exam.