- A
The PATH variable in cron is not set, so cp cannot be found.
Why wrong: cp is usually in /bin or /usr/bin, which are often in the default PATH even in cron.
- B
The script does not have execute permission for the user running cron.
Why wrong: Cron typically runs scripts via the interpreter, so execute permission is not required.
- C
No .log files exist in /var/log/myapp at the time of script execution, causing the glob to match nothing.
If no files match, cp receives the literal '*' and fails silently if no error handling.
- D
The cron job is not enabled because the crontab syntax is incorrect.
Why wrong: The question states the script runs daily via cron, implying the cron job is enabled.
Question 456 of 537
Shell Glob Expansion: Empty Match Pitfall in Cron Backups
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 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
✓
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Create simple shell scripts — study guide chapter
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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: 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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on EX200
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Consider the script in the exhibit. The script is run in a directory containing 'a.txt' and 'b.txt' but also has a subdirectory 'backup' with .txt files. What will be the output?
easy- A.An error because the for loop cannot iterate over files with spaces
- B.Line counts for .txt files in 'backup' only
- ✓ C.Line counts for 'a.txt' and 'b.txt' only
- D.Line counts for all .txt files including those in 'backup'
Why C: The script uses `for i in *.txt`, which by default only matches .txt files in the current directory, not in subdirectories. Since 'a.txt' and 'b.txt' are in the current directory, the loop iterates over them and runs `wc -l` on each, outputting their line counts. The 'backup' subdirectory is not traversed because the glob pattern does not include paths with directories.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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