- A
Streaming data
Why wrong: Streaming data is continuous; API call returns a one-time snapshot.
- B
Flat file
Why wrong: Flat files are stored locally, not accessed via HTTP endpoint.
- C
Web scraping
Why wrong: Web scraping extracts data from web pages; API is a structured interface.
- D
API
REST API provides structured data via HTTP.
Question 152 of 1,000
DA0-001 Data Concepts and Environments Practice Question
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of data concepts and environments. 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 analyst needs to retrieve current weather data from a third-party service. The service provides an endpoint that returns data in JSON format over HTTP. Which data source type is being used?
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
✓
API
Option D is correct because the data analyst is retrieving data from a third-party service via an HTTP endpoint that returns JSON. This is the classic definition of an API (Application Programming Interface) — specifically a RESTful web API — which allows programmatic access to structured data over HTTP using standard methods like GET. The JSON format confirms it is an API response, not a file or stream.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Streaming data
Why it's wrong here
Streaming data is continuous; API call returns a one-time snapshot.
- ✗
Flat file
Why it's wrong here
Flat files are stored locally, not accessed via HTTP endpoint.
- ✗
Web scraping
Why it's wrong here
Web scraping extracts data from web pages; API is a structured interface.
- ✓
API
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'web scraping' (Option C) with API consumption because both involve HTTP, but scraping parses unstructured HTML while an API returns structured JSON, and CompTIA often tests this distinction by describing a direct JSON endpoint to lure test-takers into selecting web scraping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
APIs like this typically use HTTP GET requests to a URL endpoint (e.g., https://api.weather.com/v1/current) and return JSON payloads with headers like Content-Type: application/json. Under the hood, the analyst would likely use a tool like Python's requests library or curl to call the endpoint, and the service may require an API key passed as a query parameter or in the Authorization header. A real-world nuance is that some APIs enforce rate limiting (e.g., 1000 requests/hour) or return paginated JSON, which differs from a simple flat file or stream.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the DA0-001 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DA0-001 question test?
Data Concepts and Environments — This question tests Data Concepts and Environments — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: API — Option D is correct because the data analyst is retrieving data from a third-party service via an HTTP endpoint that returns JSON. This is the classic definition of an API (Application Programming Interface) — specifically a RESTful web API — which allows programmatic access to structured data over HTTP using standard methods like GET. The JSON format confirms it is an API response, not a file or stream.
What should I do if I get this DA0-001 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This DA0-001 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 DA0-001 exam.
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