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AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate: Mastering CI/CD with AWS Services
Learn how to answer a key CI/CD question for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam. We break down the question and options.
When it comes to CI/CD in AWS, many candidates get tripped up by the specific services needed to create a complete pipeline. Understanding the right combination of tools is essential for passing the exam.
The question
A company needs to streamline its software development lifecycle by enabling continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) for its applications. Which combination of AWS services should they use to support this requirement?
- A. AWS CodeCommit, AWS CodeBuild, and AWS CodeDeploy
- B. Amazon EC2, Amazon ECS, and AWS CodePipeline
- C. AWS Lambda, Amazon CloudFront, and AWS CodeStar
- D. AWS Step Functions and AWS CodePipeline
Think before you scroll
Before you choose an answer, consider which services are specifically designed for CI/CD. You need a full set of tools that cover version control, building, and deploying applications. Keep in mind that some options may include services that are not focused on the software lifecycle.
The answer
The correct option is A: AWS CodeCommit, AWS CodeBuild, and AWS CodeDeploy. This combination provides a complete suite of tools that supports version control, building, and deploying applications, thus enabling a strong CI/CD pipeline.
Why the other options lose
- B: Amazon EC2, Amazon ECS, and AWS CodePipeline: While AWS CodePipeline is part of the CI/CD process, this option lacks a dedicated version control service and a build service. EC2 and ECS are primarily compute services and do not directly contribute to the CI/CD lifecycle.
- C: AWS Lambda, Amazon CloudFront, and AWS CodeStar: This option includes AWS CodeStar, which helps manage development projects but does not cover all aspects of CI/CD. Lambda and CloudFront serve different purposes, focusing on serverless computing and content delivery, respectively.
- D: AWS Step Functions and AWS CodePipeline: This option pairs AWS CodePipeline with Step Functions, which is used for orchestration, not specifically for CI/CD. While CodePipeline is relevant, Step Functions do not contribute directly to the CI/CD process.
The concept behind it
To effectively implement CI/CD, you need services that cover the entire lifecycle: version control, building, and deployment. AWS CodeCommit provides version control, CodeBuild handles the build process, and CodeDeploy automates deployments. Understanding this principle allows you to confidently tackle similar questions on the exam.
Exam trap to remember
Remember the "CI/CD trio": CodeCommit for version control, CodeBuild for building, and CodeDeploy for deployment. These services together create a solid foundation for continuous integration and delivery.