DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are advantages of using Amazon DynamoDB over Amazon RDS for MySQL for a workload that requires high scalability and low maintenance? (Select TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse DynamoDB’s optional strong consistency with a default setting, or they assume that a NoSQL database like DynamoDB supports SQL-style joins, leading them to select options A or B despite those being features of relational databases like RDS for MySQL.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
No need to manage database servers or patches
Amazon DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database service that eliminates the need for server provisioning, patching, or maintenance. Unlike Amazon RDS for MySQL, where you are responsible for managing the underlying DB instance (including OS and database engine patches), DynamoDB abstracts all infrastructure management, allowing you to focus solely on data access patterns.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Strong consistency by default
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB uses eventually consistent reads by default; strong consistency is optional.
- ✗
Support for complex joins and transactions
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB does not support complex joins like RDS.
- ✓
No need to manage database servers or patches
Why this is correct
DynamoDB is serverless and fully managed.
- ✗
Built-in read replicas for scaling reads
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas are a feature of RDS, not DynamoDB.
- ✓
Automatic scaling of read/write capacity
Why this is correct
DynamoDB can auto-scale based on traffic.
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