Databricks-Spark-Assoc Using Spark SQL Practice Question
Which SQL command is used to view the history of operations performed on a Delta table, including timestamps and operation types?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers often confuse DESCRIBE HISTORY with standard table description commands like DESCRIBE DETAIL or DESCRIBE TABLE, missing the temporal aspect of operations.
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
✓
DESCRIBE HISTORY table_name
The DESCRIBE HISTORY command is a core utility in Databricks for auditing and troubleshooting. It provides a detailed log of all modifications, including writes, updates, and deletes, along with version numbers. This is essential for understanding table evolution, debugging data pipelines, and implementing data governance. Knowing this command is mandatory for any Spark developer responsible for maintaining and auditing production-level Delta Lake tables.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SHOW METADATA ON table_name
Why it's wrong here
There is no command called SHOW METADATA in Spark SQL. While SHOW TABLES or SHOW TBLPROPERTIES exist, they do not provide the detailed transaction log audit trail required to see historical operations or versioning information associated with a Delta table's lifecycle and modification history.
- ✗
SELECT * FROM audit_log(table_name)
Why it's wrong here
The function audit_log does not exist in Spark SQL. While cloud-level auditing exists, Delta-specific table changes are managed through the transaction log. Spark SQL provides a specific SQL command, DESCRIBE HISTORY, to expose this information directly within the SQL interface without needing separate log parsing tools.
- ✓
DESCRIBE HISTORY table_name
Why this is correct
DESCRIBE HISTORY is the standard command for viewing the transaction log of a Delta table. It displays information such as the operation, user, timestamp, and version, which are critical for debugging and data lineage analysis. This command allows users to monitor table evolution and identify specific modifications.
- ✗
GET TABLE VERSION table_name
Why it's wrong here
There is no command called GET TABLE VERSION in Spark SQL. While you can query table versions using the 'VERSION AS OF' syntax in a SELECT statement, the specific command to list all changes and history is DESCRIBE HISTORY. This option is a common distractor for SQL developers.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Databricks exam blueprint
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