Quick Answer
The answer is STV_RECENTS, the correct Redshift system view to identify resource-intensive queries. This view captures both currently running and recently completed queries, providing process IDs, user names, and execution status, which directly reflects the active and recent workload consuming system resources. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between diagnostic system views: STV_RECENTS is for real-time and recent query activity, while STL_QUERY is for historical analysis. A common trap is choosing STV_SESSIONS, which shows connection-level data rather than individual query resource usage. To remember, think of STV_RECENTS as the “recent activity” snapshot—it’s the go-to view when you need to see what’s hogging resources right now or just finished.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. 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 company is using Amazon Redshift for data warehousing. The database administrator needs to identify which queries are consuming the most resources. Which system view should be queried?
SVV_TABLES
Why wrong: SVV_TABLES lists tables, not query performance.
STV_RECENTS
STV_RECENTS shows active and recent queries, including their resource usage.
STL_LOAD_ERRORS
Why wrong: This view shows load errors, not resource consumption.
STL_DDLTEXT
Why wrong: This view contains DDL statements, not resource usage.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
STV_RECENTS
The STV_RECENTS system view in Amazon Redshift provides a list of currently running and recently completed queries, including their process IDs, user names, and execution status. This makes it the correct choice for identifying which queries are consuming the most resources at the moment, as it directly reflects active and recent workload.
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.
SVV_TABLES
Why it's wrong here
SVV_TABLES lists tables, not query performance.
STV_RECENTS
Why this is correct
STV_RECENTS shows active and recent queries, including their resource usage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
STL_LOAD_ERRORS
Why it's wrong here
This view shows load errors, not resource consumption.
STL_DDLTEXT
Why it's wrong here
This view contains DDL statements, not resource usage.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse system views for metadata (SVV_TABLES) or error logging (STL_LOAD_ERRORS) with those that track query execution and resource usage, leading them to overlook STV_RECENTS as the direct source for active query monitoring.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This view shows load errors, not resource consumption.
Detailed technical explanation
STV_RECENTS is a system view that queries the underlying STL_RECENTS table, which stores a limited history of queries (typically the last few thousand) in memory. It includes columns like 'starttime', 'endtime', 'rows', and 'bytes' that can be used to calculate resource consumption, such as elapsed time or data scanned. In a real-world scenario, a DBA might join STV_RECENTS with STL_QUERY to get the actual SQL text and identify heavy scans or long-running queries.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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Management and Operations — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: STV_RECENTS — The STV_RECENTS system view in Amazon Redshift provides a list of currently running and recently completed queries, including their process IDs, user names, and execution status. This makes it the correct choice for identifying which queries are consuming the most resources at the moment, as it directly reflects active and recent workload.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This DBS-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 DBS-C01 exam.
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