- A
Use Cloud Shell environment variables
Why wrong: Environment variables are not tied to state.
- B
Use `terraform_remote_state` data source pointing to the networking project's GCS state
This data source retrieves outputs from another state file.
- C
Use Terraform Cloud's variable sets
Why wrong: Variable sets are for sharing variables across workspaces, not state outputs.
- D
Hardcode the networking values in variables
Why wrong: Hardcoding is not maintainable and defeats the purpose of IaC.
Question 123 of 1,000
PCDE Practice Question: Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of bootstrapping a google cloud organisation for devops. 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.
A DevOps engineer is using Terraform and wants to reference outputs from another Terraform configuration that manages networking. Which approach should they use?
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 `terraform_remote_state` data source pointing to the networking project's GCS state
The `terraform_remote_state` data source is the correct approach because it allows one Terraform configuration to securely read the latest state outputs (e.g., VPC IDs, subnet CIDRs) from another configuration's state file stored in a remote backend like Google Cloud Storage (GCS). This avoids hardcoding or manual copying of values, ensures consistency, and supports dependency management across configurations. By pointing to the networking project's GCS state, the DevOps engineer can dynamically reference outputs like `networking.vpc_id` without exposing sensitive data in environment variables or variable files.
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 Cloud Shell environment variables
Why it's wrong here
Environment variables are not tied to state.
- ✓
Use `terraform_remote_state` data source pointing to the networking project's GCS state
Why this is correct
This data source retrieves outputs from another state file.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Terraform Cloud's variable sets
Why it's wrong here
Variable sets are for sharing variables across workspaces, not state outputs.
- ✗
Hardcode the networking values in variables
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding is not maintainable and defeats the purpose of IaC.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that environment variables or variable sets can substitute for cross-configuration state sharing, but the only native Terraform mechanism for reading outputs from another configuration's state is `terraform_remote_state`.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Variable sets are for sharing variables across workspaces, not state outputs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `terraform_remote_state` uses the same backend configuration as the source configuration (e.g., GCS with a specific bucket and prefix) to fetch the state file, deserialize it, and expose outputs as read-only attributes. A subtle behavior is that it only retrieves the latest state version; if the source configuration is being applied concurrently, there is a risk of reading stale data. In real-world scenarios, this pattern is critical for multi-team setups where networking is managed centrally and application teams consume outputs like `vpc_self_link` or `subnet_ips` without direct access to the networking state.
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.
Visual reference
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.
- →
Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCDE questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud Database Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCDE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCDE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service.
Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps.
Applying Site Reliability Engineering Practices to a Service practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Applying Site Reliability Engineering Practices to a Service.
Implementing Service Monitoring Strategies practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Implementing Service Monitoring Strategies.
Optimising Service Performance practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Optimising Service Performance.
Plan and manage database infrastructure practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Plan and manage database infrastructure.
Define data structures and implement SQL for Business Intelligence practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Define data structures and implement SQL for Business Intelligence.
Design and implement database schemas practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Design and implement database schemas.
Monitor and optimize database performance practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to Monitor and optimize database performance.
PCDE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to PCDE fundamentals.
PCDE scenario practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to PCDE scenario.
PCDE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCDE questions linked to PCDE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCDE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps — This question tests Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use `terraform_remote_state` data source pointing to the networking project's GCS state — The `terraform_remote_state` data source is the correct approach because it allows one Terraform configuration to securely read the latest state outputs (e.g., VPC IDs, subnet CIDRs) from another configuration's state file stored in a remote backend like Google Cloud Storage (GCS). This avoids hardcoding or manual copying of values, ensures consistency, and supports dependency management across configurations. By pointing to the networking project's GCS state, the DevOps engineer can dynamically reference outputs like `networking.vpc_id` without exposing sensitive data in environment variables or variable files.
What should I do if I get this PCDE 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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDE 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 PCDE exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.