The answer is to configure logrotate with daily rotation, compression, and the copytruncate option. This is correct because copytruncate allows log rotation without requiring the application to close or reopen its file handles—essential for applications like Node.js that never close their logs. By copying the log file and then truncating the original, the application continues writing seamlessly, while daily rotation with compression reclaims disk space and minimizes data loss. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of handling persistent file descriptors, a common trap where candidates mistakenly choose create or delaycompress, which would break logging for non-closing apps. Remember the memory tip: “Copy then truncate—no restart, no debate.”
XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 company runs a critical web application on a single Linux server. The application consists of a Node.js backend and a PostgreSQL database. The server is running out of disk space frequently due to application logs. The administrator wants to implement a log rotation solution that is automated, minimizes data loss, and compresses old logs. The administrator has root access and wants to use built-in tools. Currently, logs are written to /var/log/app/access.log and /var/log/app/error.log. The application never closes its log files. Which of the following is the best course of action?
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.
Clue: "never"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure logrotate with daily rotation, compression, and the copytruncate option.
Option C is correct because logrotate with the copytruncate option allows the log file to be rotated without requiring the application to close or reopen its file handles. This is essential since the application never closes its log files. Daily rotation with compression addresses the frequent disk space issue while minimizing data loss, and logrotate is a built-in Linux tool that runs automatically via cron.
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.
✗
Configure the systemd journal to capture the application logs and set MaxRetentionSec.
Why it's wrong here
journald is for systemd-journald logs, not arbitrary files.
✗
Create a cron job that runs every hour to move the logs to a backup directory and restart the application.
Why it's wrong here
Restarting causes downtime and moving open files may lose data.
✓
Configure logrotate with daily rotation, compression, and the copytruncate option.
Why this is correct
copytruncate allows rotation of open files without restarting.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure logrotate with a weekly rotation and no copytruncate, since the application will eventually close the log files.
Why it's wrong here
Without copytruncate, logrotate cannot rotate open files.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume logrotate always requires the application to close its log files (via postrotate scripts), but the copytruncate option is specifically designed for applications that keep file handles open, making it the correct choice when the application never closes its logs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The copytruncate option works by copying the current log file to a new name (e.g., access.log.1) and then truncating the original file to zero bytes. The application's open file descriptor still points to the inode of the truncated file, so it continues writing without interruption. This is critical for applications that do not implement log file reopening signals (like SIGHUP). Logrotate uses a cron job (typically /etc/cron.daily/logrotate) to run its configuration, and compression is done via gzip by default, reducing disk usage significantly.
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 XK0-005 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure logrotate with daily rotation, compression, and the copytruncate option. — Option C is correct because logrotate with the copytruncate option allows the log file to be rotated without requiring the application to close or reopen its file handles. This is essential since the application never closes its log files. Daily rotation with compression addresses the frequent disk space issue while minimizing data loss, and logrotate is a built-in Linux tool that runs automatically via cron.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 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", "never". 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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