- A
The pipeline does not trigger because the `docs/` path is excluded and includes a change.
Why wrong: The pipeline triggers because there is also a change in src/, which is not excluded.
- B
The pipeline triggers because the change to `src/Controllers/HomeController.cs` is not in an excluded path.
The trigger includes main branch and excludes docs/* and tests/*. The src change is not excluded, so the pipeline runs.
- C
The pipeline triggers only if the change is on a branch matching `release/*`.
Why wrong: The trigger includes main as well, so changes to main also trigger the pipeline.
- D
The pipeline triggers but runs only tests because the build is skipped due to excluded paths.
Why wrong: Excluded paths only affect triggering; if the pipeline triggers, all steps run unless conditions specify otherwise.
AZ-400 Practice Question: Design and implement build and release pipelines
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement build and release pipelines. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. The pipeline is configured as shown. A developer pushes a change to the `main` branch that modifies a file under `src/Controllers/HomeController.cs` and also adds a new file under `docs/readme.md`. Which of the following best describes what happens?
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.
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
The pipeline triggers because the change to `src/Controllers/HomeController.cs` is not in an excluded path.
Option B is correct because the pipeline's trigger configuration uses path filters that exclude `docs/*` but include `src/*`. Since the developer's push includes a change to `src/Controllers/HomeController.cs`, which is not in an excluded path, the pipeline triggers. The addition of `docs/readme.md` does not prevent triggering because the trigger evaluates the union of all changed files; as long as at least one changed file matches an included path (or is not excluded), the pipeline runs.
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.
- ✗
The pipeline does not trigger because the `docs/` path is excluded and includes a change.
Why it's wrong here
The pipeline triggers because there is also a change in src/, which is not excluded.
- ✓
The pipeline triggers because the change to `src/Controllers/HomeController.cs` is not in an excluded path.
Why this is correct
The trigger includes main branch and excludes docs/* and tests/*. The src change is not excluded, so the pipeline runs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The pipeline triggers only if the change is on a branch matching `release/*`.
Why it's wrong here
The trigger includes main as well, so changes to main also trigger the pipeline.
- ✗
The pipeline triggers but runs only tests because the build is skipped due to excluded paths.
Why it's wrong here
Excluded paths only affect triggering; if the pipeline triggers, all steps run unless conditions specify otherwise.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates mistakenly think a change in an excluded path will block the entire pipeline trigger, when in reality Azure Pipelines triggers if any changed file is not in an excluded path.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure Pipelines evaluates path filters by checking each changed file against the `include` and `exclude` patterns. The trigger fires if any changed file matches an `include` pattern and no `exclude` pattern applies to that file. A common subtlety is that `exclude` patterns take precedence over `include` patterns only for the same path; a change to an excluded path does not cancel a trigger from a non-excluded path. In real-world scenarios, teams often use this to skip documentation-only changes while still building code changes, but they must ensure that code changes are not accidentally excluded.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-400 question test?
Design and implement build and release pipelines — This question tests Design and implement build and release pipelines — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The pipeline triggers because the change to `src/Controllers/HomeController.cs` is not in an excluded path. — Option B is correct because the pipeline's trigger configuration uses path filters that exclude `docs/*` but include `src/*`. Since the developer's push includes a change to `src/Controllers/HomeController.cs`, which is not in an excluded path, the pipeline triggers. The addition of `docs/readme.md` does not prevent triggering because the trigger evaluates the union of all changed files; as long as at least one changed file matches an included path (or is not excluded), the pipeline runs.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 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". 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-400 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AZ-400 exam.
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