EX200 Create simple shell scripts Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create simple shell scripts. 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 developer wrote a shell script that is intended to back up log files by copying all .log files from /var/log/myapp to /backup/logs. The script runs daily via cron but the backup folder is empty. The script contains the following line: `cp /var/log/myapp/*.log /backup/logs/`. What is the most likely reason the backup fails?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
No .log files exist in /var/log/myapp at the time of script execution, causing the glob to match nothing.
Option C is correct because the glob pattern `*.log` in the `cp` command is expanded by the shell at the time the script runs. If no `.log` files exist in `/var/log/myapp` when the cron job executes, the shell passes the literal string `*.log` to `cp`, which then fails with a 'No such file or directory' error (or, depending on shell settings, may silently do nothing). This is a common issue when log rotation or cleanup removes files before the backup 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 PATH variable in cron is not set, so cp cannot be found.
Why it's wrong here
cp is usually in /bin or /usr/bin, which are often in the default PATH even in cron.
✗
The script does not have execute permission for the user running cron.
Why it's wrong here
Cron typically runs scripts via the interpreter, so execute permission is not required.
✓
No .log files exist in /var/log/myapp at the time of script execution, causing the glob to match nothing.
Why this is correct
If no files match, cp receives the literal '*' and fails silently if no error handling.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The cron job is not enabled because the crontab syntax is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
The question states the script runs daily via cron, implying the cron job is enabled.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the misconception that cron PATH or permissions are the root cause, but the real trap is that glob expansion happens at script execution time and an empty glob silently fails, leading to an empty backup destination.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a glob pattern matches no files, the default behavior in most shells (bash, sh) is to pass the pattern literally to the command. This means `cp /var/log/myapp/*.log /backup/logs/` becomes `cp /var/log/myapp/*.log /backup/logs/`, which `cp` interprets as copying a file literally named `*.log` (which does not exist), resulting in an error. The `nullglob` or `failglob` shell options can alter this behavior, but they are not set by default. In cron environments, log rotation or application cleanup often removes old logs before the backup runs, making this a frequent real-world pitfall.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Create simple shell scripts — This question tests Create simple shell scripts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: No .log files exist in /var/log/myapp at the time of script execution, causing the glob to match nothing. — Option C is correct because the glob pattern `*.log` in the `cp` command is expanded by the shell at the time the script runs. If no `.log` files exist in `/var/log/myapp` when the cron job executes, the shell passes the literal string `*.log` to `cp`, which then fails with a 'No such file or directory' error (or, depending on shell settings, may silently do nothing). This is a common issue when log rotation or cleanup removes files before the backup runs.
What should I do if I get this EX200 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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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