- A
steps: - name: 'maven:3' args: ['mvn', 'clean', 'package']
Correct: 'name' sets the image, 'args' passes the command and its arguments.
- B
steps: - name: 'maven:3' entrypoint: 'bash' args: ['mvn', 'clean', 'package']
Why wrong: Unnecessarily wraps in bash; direct mvn execution is simpler.
- C
steps: - name: 'maven:3' script: 'mvn clean package'
Why wrong: 'script' is not a valid field in cloudbuild.yaml; it's used in Cloud Build's 'inline' or 'shell' steps differently.
- D
steps: - name: 'maven:3' entrypoint: 'mvn' args: ['clean', 'package']
Why wrong: entrypoint is not needed; it's easier to include 'mvn' in args.
Question 299 of 1,000
PCDE Cloud Build steps Practice Question
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of building and implementing ci/cd pipelines for a service. 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. A key principle to apply: cloud Build steps. 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.
An engineer is configuring a Cloud Build trigger for a Java application. The build step uses Maven to compile and test, then builds a Docker image. Which cloudbuild.yaml step configuration is CORRECT for specifying the Maven command?
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
✓
steps: - name: 'maven:3' args: ['mvn', 'clean', 'package']
The default entrypoint of the maven:3 Docker image is `/bin/sh`, not `mvn`. Therefore, the `args` field must include the full command and its arguments. Option A correctly specifies `args: ['mvn', 'clean', 'package']`, which runs `mvn clean package`. Option D is incorrect because it overrides the entrypoint to `mvn` and passes only the arguments, which would also work but is not the standard configuration shown in Google Cloud documentation; the question expects the default entrypoint behavior.
Key principle: Cloud Build steps
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
steps: - name: 'maven:3' args: ['mvn', 'clean', 'package']
Why this is correct
Correct: 'name' sets the image, 'args' passes the command and its arguments.
Related concept
Cloud Build steps
- ✗
steps: - name: 'maven:3' entrypoint: 'bash' args: ['mvn', 'clean', 'package']
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessarily wraps in bash; direct mvn execution is simpler.
- ✗
steps: - name: 'maven:3' script: 'mvn clean package'
Why it's wrong here
'script' is not a valid field in cloudbuild.yaml; it's used in Cloud Build's 'inline' or 'shell' steps differently.
- ✗
steps: - name: 'maven:3' entrypoint: 'mvn' args: ['clean', 'package']
Why it's wrong here
entrypoint is not needed; it's easier to include 'mvn' in args.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often assume the maven:3 image has `mvn` as its default entrypoint and incorrectly think they must include the command in `args` only when overriding. In reality, the default entrypoint is `/bin/sh`, so the command must be included in `args`. This leads to confusion between Option A and Option D.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud Build executes each step in a Docker container, and the `name` field specifies the image. The default entrypoint of the `maven:3` image is `/usr/bin/mvn`, so `args` are passed directly to that binary. Using `entrypoint: 'mvn'` in Option D is unnecessary but not technically wrong; however, the `args` must include the `mvn` command itself when the entrypoint is overridden, which is why Option D fails. In practice, the `maven:3` image also includes a `MAVEN_CONFIG` environment variable and settings for caching, which can affect build behavior.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Cloud Build steps
- args vs entrypoint
- Maven container
- CI/CD on Google Cloud
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
Cloud Build steps
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Cloud Build steps Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cloud Build steps, then practise related PCDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — This question tests Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — Cloud Build steps.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: steps: - name: 'maven:3' args: ['mvn', 'clean', 'package'] — The default entrypoint of the maven:3 Docker image is `/bin/sh`, not `mvn`. Therefore, the `args` field must include the full command and its arguments. Option A correctly specifies `args: ['mvn', 'clean', 'package']`, which runs `mvn clean package`. Option D is incorrect because it overrides the entrypoint to `mvn` and passes only the arguments, which would also work but is not the standard configuration shown in Google Cloud documentation; the question expects the default entrypoint behavior.
What should I do if I get this PCDE question wrong?
Review cloud Build steps, then practise related PCDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Cloud Build steps
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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