- A
Use Helm to install a chart.
Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes.
- B
Use gcloud container clusters create to deploy the application.
Why wrong: That command creates a cluster, not an application.
- C
Upload the container image to Cloud Storage and use a trigger to deploy.
Why wrong: Cloud Storage does not trigger GKE deployments natively.
- D
Use kubectl apply with a Deployment manifest.
Direct imperative or declarative deployment.
- E
Use Config Connector to create a KubernetesDeployment resource.
Config Connector manages GCP resources via Kubernetes CRDs.
Question 65 of 999
Three Valid Methods to Deploy a Containerized Application to Google Kubernetes Engine
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of deploying applications. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which THREE methods are valid ways to deploy a containerized application to Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)?
Quick Answer
The answer is kubectl apply, Helm charts, and Config Connector. These three methods are valid ways to deploy a containerized application to Google Kubernetes Engine because they each interact directly with the Kubernetes API to create or manage workloads: kubectl apply applies a manifest imperatively, Helm charts package and deploy applications declaratively, and Config Connector uses Kubernetes custom resources to provision and manage GKE resources as part of a GitOps workflow. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this question tests your understanding of deployment tools versus infrastructure commands—a common trap is confusing cluster creation with application deployment. Remember that gcloud container clusters create provisions the cluster itself, not an app, and Cloud Storage is a bucket service, not a deployment mechanism. A helpful memory tip is “kubectl, Helm, Config—three ways to deploy; gcloud and Storage stay away.”
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
✓
Use Helm to install a chart.
Option A is correct because Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies deploying containerized applications by using pre-configured charts. A Helm chart packages all the necessary Kubernetes resource definitions (e.g., Deployments, Services) into a single deployable unit, and running `helm install` on a GKE cluster will deploy the application correctly.
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.
- ✓
Use Helm to install a chart.
Why this is correct
Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use gcloud container clusters create to deploy the application.
Why it's wrong here
That command creates a cluster, not an application.
- ✗
Upload the container image to Cloud Storage and use a trigger to deploy.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Storage does not trigger GKE deployments natively.
- ✓
Use kubectl apply with a Deployment manifest.
Why this is correct
Direct imperative or declarative deployment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use Config Connector to create a KubernetesDeployment resource.
Why this is correct
Config Connector manages GCP resources via Kubernetes CRDs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google PCD often tests the distinction between cluster management commands (`gcloud container clusters`) and application deployment commands (`kubectl`, `helm`), and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly think `gcloud container clusters create` deploys an application because it creates a cluster, but it only provisions the cluster infrastructure.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
That command creates a cluster, not an application.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `kubectl apply` sends a declarative YAML manifest to the Kubernetes API server, which then creates or updates the desired resources (e.g., Deployments) in the cluster. Config Connector works by using Kubernetes custom resource definitions (CRDs) to manage Google Cloud resources, including a `KubernetesDeployment` resource that directly maps to a GKE Deployment, allowing infrastructure-as-code workflows. In real-world scenarios, Helm is often used for complex applications with multiple interdependent components, while Config Connector is used when you need to manage both GCP infrastructure and Kubernetes resources from a single Kubernetes-native tool.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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.
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Deploying applications — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Deploying applications — This question tests Deploying applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Helm to install a chart. — Option A is correct because Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies deploying containerized applications by using pre-configured charts. A Helm chart packages all the necessary Kubernetes resource definitions (e.g., Deployments, Services) into a single deployable unit, and running `helm install` on a GKE cluster will deploy the application correctly.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCD practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PCD exam.
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