Question #724
A developer needs to design a serverless application that processes data every week at a specific time. The company has no existing AWS infrastructure but wants to implement this solution with minimal operational overhead. Which approach provides the MOST operationally efficient implementation?
Deploy a cron job using a custom script in an Amazon EC2 instance's user data configuration.
Use a scheduled Apache Airflow workflow hosted on Amazon Managed Workflows for Apache Airflow (MWAA).
Create an AWS Lambda function triggered by an Amazon EventBridge scheduled rule.
Configure an AWS Step Functions state machine executed by an Amazon CloudWatch Events schedule.
Explanation
Answer C is correct because:
1. Serverless & Minimal Overhead: AWS Lambda requires no server management, and EventBridge handles scheduling natively, eliminating operational tasks like patching or scaling.
2. Cost-Effective: Lambda charges only for execution time, ideal for weekly jobs.
3. Simplicity: No need for complex workflows (Step Functions) or heavy orchestration (Airflow/MWAA).
Why others are incorrect:
- A: EC2 requires managing instances, scaling, and maintenance, increasing operational overhead.
- B: MWAA is designed for complex workflows; overkill for a single weekly task.
- D: Step Functions adds unnecessary complexity unless multi-step orchestration is needed.
Key Points:
- Use Lambda + EventBridge for simple, scheduled serverless tasks.
- Avoid EC2 when serverless options exist to reduce operational burden.
Answer
The correct answer is: C