The correct answer is D: it limits the chart to exactly 5 series without an 'Other' category. This is because the `useother=f` argument in a Splunk timechart command explicitly disables the default behavior of aggregating the least significant series into an 'Other' bucket; by default, timechart limits the number of distinct series to 10 and groups the rest, but setting `useother=f` forces the chart to display only the top series as separate lines with no aggregation. On the SPLK-1002 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how timechart handles series limits and the `useother` parameter, often appearing in questions where you must interpret the effect on chart output—a common trap is assuming `useother=f` increases the series limit rather than disabling the 'Other' grouping. Remember the memory tip: "useother=f means 'force no Other'—what you see is exactly what you get, no hidden aggregation."
SPLK-1002 Practice Question: Creating Reports, Dashboards and Visualizations
This SPLK-1002 practice question tests your understanding of creating reports, dashboards and visualizations. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Exhibit
index=web | timechart count by status useother=f limit=5
Refer to the exhibit. The chart shows five series. What is the effect of the useother=f argument?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It limits the chart to exactly 5 series without an 'Other' category
The `useother=f` argument in a timechart command explicitly disables the automatic grouping of the least significant series into an 'Other' category. By default, timechart limits the number of distinct series displayed (often to 10) and aggregates the rest as 'Other'; setting `useother=f` forces the chart to show exactly the top 5 series as separate lines, with no aggregation. This matches option D, which states the chart is limited to exactly 5 series without an 'Other' category.
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.
✗
It groups status codes beyond the top 5 into 'Other'
Why it's wrong here
That is the effect of useother=t (default). useother=f removes 'Other'.
✗
It includes all status codes as separate series
Why it's wrong here
limit=5 already restricts to top 5; useother=f does not include extras.
✗
It sets the timechart to use default colors
Why it's wrong here
useother does not affect colors.
✓
It limits the chart to exactly 5 series without an 'Other' category
Why this is correct
Correct: useother=f ensures no 'Other' group, so only the top 5 are shown.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `useother=f` with the default behavior of grouping into 'Other', leading them to select option A, when in fact `useother=f` removes the 'Other' category entirely.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the `timechart` command uses a `limit` parameter (default 10) to cap the number of distinct series; when `useother=t` (default), any series beyond that limit are aggregated into a single 'Other' series. Setting `useother=f` removes this aggregation, so only the top N series (as defined by `limit`) appear, and any extra data is silently discarded. In real-world scenarios, this is critical when you need to guarantee that only the most significant contributors are shown, such as monitoring the top 5 error codes without diluting the chart with a catch-all 'Other' line.
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 SPLK-1002 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.
Creating Reports, Dashboards and Visualizations — This question tests Creating Reports, Dashboards and Visualizations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It limits the chart to exactly 5 series without an 'Other' category — The `useother=f` argument in a timechart command explicitly disables the automatic grouping of the least significant series into an 'Other' category. By default, timechart limits the number of distinct series displayed (often to 10) and aggregates the rest as 'Other'; setting `useother=f` forces the chart to show exactly the top 5 series as separate lines, with no aggregation. This matches option D, which states the chart is limited to exactly 5 series without an 'Other' category.
What should I do if I get this SPLK-1002 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.
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Question Discussion
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