- A
The log files are already compressed (.gz extension), and gzip fails silently
Why wrong: Incorrect. The script targets .log files, not .gz files. Even if a file were already compressed, gzip would output an error (e.g., "gzip: ... has .gz suffix — ignored") but does not silently fail. Therefore, this is not the primary reason.
- B
Another process deletes log files between find's detection and execution, causing 'find' to error on missing files
Correct. The find command builds a list of files and then executes gzip on each. If another process (e.g., logrotate) removes a file between the time find lists it and the time gzip runs, gzip fails with "No such file or directory", leaving the file uncompressed. This is known as a TOCTOU race condition.
- C
The script lacks proper quoting around {} which causes gzip to fail on files with spaces
Why wrong: Incorrect. While failing to quote {} can cause issues with filenames containing spaces, the command as written works for most filenames (no spaces). The problem statement says "some files" are not compressed, but it does not specify they have spaces. The more likely cause is the race condition, which affects any file regardless of spaces.
- D
The '-mtime +30' flag selects files newer than 30 days, so old files are excluded
Why wrong: Incorrect. The -mtime +30 flag selects files modified more than 30 days ago (older), not newer than 30 days. Therefore, old files are included, not excluded. This would not cause failure to compress.
find -exec Race Condition: Files Deleted Before Compression
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create simple shell scripts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 sysadmin creates a script to rotate log files. The script uses 'find /var/log -type f -name "*.log" -mtime +30 -exec gzip {} \;' but some log files are not compressed. The script runs as root. What is the most likely reason some files remain uncompressed?
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 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
Another process deletes log files between find's detection and execution, causing 'find' to error on missing files
Option B is correct because the `find` command first collects a list of files matching the criteria, then executes `gzip` on each. If another process (e.g., logrotate or a concurrent cron job) deletes or moves a file between the time `find` lists it and the time `gzip` attempts to open it, `gzip` will fail with a "No such file or directory" error, leaving the file uncompressed. Since the script runs as root, permission issues are not a factor, and the error is silent unless stderr is captured.
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 log files are already compressed (.gz extension), and gzip fails silently
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The script targets .log files, not .gz files. Even if a file were already compressed, gzip would output an error (e.g., "gzip: ... has .gz suffix — ignored") but does not silently fail. Therefore, this is not the primary reason.
- ✓
Another process deletes log files between find's detection and execution, causing 'find' to error on missing files
Why this is correct
Correct. The find command builds a list of files and then executes gzip on each. If another process (e.g., logrotate) removes a file between the time find lists it and the time gzip runs, gzip fails with "No such file or directory", leaving the file uncompressed. This is known as a TOCTOU race condition.
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 script lacks proper quoting around {} which causes gzip to fail on files with spaces
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While failing to quote {} can cause issues with filenames containing spaces, the command as written works for most filenames (no spaces). The problem statement says "some files" are not compressed, but it does not specify they have spaces. The more likely cause is the race condition, which affects any file regardless of spaces.
- ✗
The '-mtime +30' flag selects files newer than 30 days, so old files are excluded
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The -mtime +30 flag selects files modified more than 30 days ago (older), not newer than 30 days. Therefore, old files are included, not excluded. This would not cause failure to compress.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the race condition between `find` and `-exec` actions, where candidates mistakenly attribute the failure to quoting or permissions instead of the time-of-check-to-time-of-use (TOCTOU) vulnerability.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. The script targets .log files, not .gz files. Even if a file were already compressed, gzip would output an error (e.g., "gzip: ... has .gz suffix — ignored") but does not silently fail. Therefore, this is not the primary reason.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `find` command with `-exec` uses a two-phase approach: first it builds a list of matching inodes, then it forks a child process for each file. If a file is deleted between these phases, the kernel returns ENOENT to `gzip`, which exits with a non-zero status but does not affect other files. In real-world scenarios, logrotate often runs concurrently with such scripts, and the race condition is exacerbated on high-traffic systems where logs are rotated frequently. Using `-execdir` instead of `-exec` can reduce this risk by changing to the file's directory before executing the command.
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 practitioner preparing for the EX200 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
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: Another process deletes log files between find's detection and execution, causing 'find' to error on missing files — Option B is correct because the `find` command first collects a list of files matching the criteria, then executes `gzip` on each. If another process (e.g., logrotate or a concurrent cron job) deletes or moves a file between the time `find` lists it and the time `gzip` attempts to open it, `gzip` will fail with a "No such file or directory" error, leaving the file uncompressed. Since the script runs as root, permission issues are not a factor, and the error is silent unless stderr is captured.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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