Jeff’s Note #
Unlike generic exam dumps, ADH analyzes this scenario through the lens of a Real-World Lead Developer.
For AWS DVA-C02 candidates, the confusion often lies in how to simultaneously manage stable production code and ongoing development without disrupting workflows. In production environments, this is about knowing exactly how to use Git branching strategies effectively in CodeCommit to isolate fixes while progressing with new features. Let’s drill down.
The Certification Drill (Simulated Question) #
Scenario #
TechBay Solutions is preparing to release Version 3 of their customer management app. Version 2 is currently live and serving production traffic. However, some critical bugs have emerged in Version 2 and need immediate fixes. Meanwhile, the developer team is actively building Version 3’s new features. The source code is maintained in an AWS CodeCommit repository.
The Requirement #
How can TechBay Solutions ensure urgent production bugs are fixed and deployed efficiently, while the development of Version 3 continues uninterrupted?
The Options #
- A) From the main branch, create a feature branch dedicated to production bug fixes. Create a second feature branch from main for Version 3 development.
- B) Create Git tags for the current production code and a separate tag for Version 3 development. Push both tags to the CodeCommit repository.
- C) From main, create a branch representing the production-deployed code and attach an IAM policy restricting push and merges by other users.
- D) Create an entirely new CodeCommit repository for Version 3 development. Use Git tags to mark the new version.
Google adsense #
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Correct Answer #
A
Quick Insight: The Dev Imperative #
For developers, using distinct Git branches—for production fixes and new feature development—enables concurrent workflows without stepping on each other’s toes.
Tags alone cannot enforce active development workflows or merge control.
IAM policies on branches are not a standard practice to protect code; branching strategy in Git is your control mechanism.
Content Locked: The Expert Analysis #
You’ve identified the answer. But do you know the implementation details that separate a Junior from a Senior?
The Expert’s Analysis #
Correct Answer #
Option A
The Winning Logic #
With AWS CodeCommit (a fully managed Git repository), the best practice for managing multiple parallel flows—such as hotfixes and new version development—is to create separate Git branches from the stable baseline:
- A production bugfix branch is branched off from the main stable branch reflecting Version 2.live. This separates immediate fixes from ongoing development.
- A feature/development branch is created from the main branch for Version 3 work so the team can commit features continuously without impacting production fixes.
- This branching workflow supports isolated pull requests, automated pipelines, and rollback flexibility.
- It is a well-known Git branching pattern (similar to GitFlow) and naturally supported by CodeCommit.
- IAM policies are best applied at the repository or pipeline level, not enforcing per-branch write restrictions, which could become cumbersome and less flexible.
- Git tags mark snapshots but do not support active parallel development or code merging.
The Trap (Distractor Analysis) #
-
Why not Option B?
Tags are static pointers useful for version marking and releases, but they do not enable parallel development or controlled merges. Tags won’t separate bug fixes from feature work. -
Why not Option C?
Branch protection via IAM policies is not a native or recommended Git practice in CodeCommit and would complicate collaboration. Git branching should handle concurrent work. -
Why not Option D?
Creating a new repository for Version 3 development fragments the codebase and complicates history and access. Branching inside a single repo is the accepted method for managing multiple streams of development.
The Technical Blueprint #
# Step 1: Create the production fix branch from main
git checkout main
git checkout -b production-fixes
# Step 2: Push fixes to production-fixes branch
git add .
git commit -m "Fix critical bug in production"
git push origin production-fixes
# Step 3: Create development branch for new version from main
git checkout main
git checkout -b version3-development
git push origin version3-development
# Step 4: Developers continue work on version3-development branch independently
The Comparative Analysis #
| Option | API/Git Complexity | Development Efficiency | Use Case Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Medium (standard branching) | High | Ideal for parallel fixes and development |
| B | Low (tags only) | Low | Suitable only for version marking, not active development |
| C | High (IAM policies on branches) | Low | Non-standard, complicates collaboration |
| D | Medium (multiple repos) | Medium | Adds overhead, unnecessary splitting |
Real-World Application (Practitioner Insight) #
Exam Rule #
For the exam, always pick branching strategies over tagging or multi-repository when dealing with concurrent production fixes and new version development.
Real World #
In real projects, teams use GitFlow or similar branching models combined with AWS CodePipeline to automate deploys from different branches—keeping production fixes isolated from feature development for smooth releases and rollbacks.
(CTA) Stop Guessing, Start Mastering #
Disclaimer
This is a study note based on simulated scenarios for the AWS DVA-C02 exam.