Quick Answer
The correct answer is SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY, as this system view is specifically designed to expose disk spill metrics for each query step, including the number of bytes spilled to temporary files. When Redshift runs out of memory for operations like sorting or hashing, it writes intermediate data to disk, and SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY captures those spill events at the step level, allowing you to pinpoint which queries are causing the most disk pressure. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to navigate Redshift’s diagnostic views under performance troubleshooting scenarios—a common trap is confusing SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY with STL_SCAN (which only logs table scan activity) or SYS_QUERY_DETAIL (which lacks spill-specific columns). To remember, think of “SVL” as “System View for Logs” and “SUMMARY” as a step-by-step spill report; if you need to identify Redshift queries causing disk spills, always reach for SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data operations and support. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 data engineer is monitoring an Amazon Redshift cluster and notices that some queries are experiencing high disk usage and slow performance. The engineer wants to identify the queries that are causing the most disk spills to temporary files. Which system table should the engineer query to get this information?
SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY
SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY includes bytes spilled to disk per query step.
SYS_QUERY_DETAIL
Why wrong: SYS_QUERY_DETAIL does not include spill data.
STL_SCAN
Why wrong: STL_SCAN shows scan activity, not spills.
STV_TBL_PERM
Why wrong: STV_TBL_PERM shows permanent table sizes, not spills.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY
Option D is correct because the SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY system view provides information about disk spills for each query step, including the number of bytes spilled to disk. Option A is incorrect because STL_SCAN is for table scans, not spills. Option B is incorrect because STV_TBL_PERM shows permanent table storage, not temporary spills. Option C is incorrect because SYS_QUERY_DETAIL provides general query details but not spill information.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY
Why this is correct
SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY includes bytes spilled to disk per query step.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SYS_QUERY_DETAIL
Why it's wrong here
SYS_QUERY_DETAIL does not include spill data.
STL_SCAN
Why it's wrong here
STL_SCAN shows scan activity, not spills.
STV_TBL_PERM
Why it's wrong here
STV_TBL_PERM shows permanent table sizes, not spills.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
STL_SCAN shows scan activity, not spills.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Data Operations and Support — This question tests Data Operations and Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY — Option D is correct because the SVL_QUERY_SUMMARY system view provides information about disk spills for each query step, including the number of bytes spilled to disk. Option A is incorrect because STL_SCAN is for table scans, not spills. Option B is incorrect because STV_TBL_PERM shows permanent table storage, not temporary spills. Option C is incorrect because SYS_QUERY_DETAIL provides general query details but not spill information.
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DEA-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DEA-C01 exam.
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