Quick Answer
The answer is automated backups and binary logging must both be enabled. Point-in-time recovery for Cloud SQL for MySQL works by restoring the most recent automated full backup and then replaying binary logs to reach a specific timestamp, so without automated backups there is no base image to start from, and without binary logging there are no transaction records to replay. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this tests your understanding that PITR is not a standalone feature but a combination of backup infrastructure and change data capture, and a common trap is assuming manual backups or transaction retention settings alone are sufficient. Remember the mnemonic “ABL” for Automated Backups and Logs—both are prerequisites, not optional.
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of integrating google cloud services. 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.
Your company uses Cloud SQL for MySQL to store transactional data. You need to perform a point-in-time recovery (PITR) to recover from a logical error that occurred 30 minutes ago. Which two prerequisites must be met? (Choose TWO.)
High availability (HA) is configured.
Why wrong: HA is not required.
Binary logging is enabled.
Binary logs enable PITR.
Automated backups are enabled.
Backups are the base for PITR.
The backup window is set to a time before the incident.
Why wrong: Backup window does not affect PITR capability.
A read replica is configured.
Why wrong: Read replicas are not needed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Binary logging is enabled.
Point-in-time recovery (PITR) for Cloud SQL for MySQL relies on binary logs to replay transactions up to a specific timestamp. Binary logging must be enabled because it records all changes to the database, allowing you to restore to any point within the retention period. Automated backups are also required because PITR uses the most recent full backup as a base, then applies binary logs from that backup to the target time. Without automated backups, there is no base image to start the recovery process.
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.
High availability (HA) is configured.
Why it's wrong here
HA is not required.
Binary logging is enabled.
Why this is correct
Binary logs enable PITR.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Automated backups are enabled.
Why this is correct
Backups are the base for PITR.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The backup window is set to a time before the incident.
Why it's wrong here
Backup window does not affect PITR capability.
A read replica is configured.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas are not needed.
Common exam traps
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that high availability or read replicas are required for point-in-time recovery, when in fact only binary logging and automated backups are necessary.
Detailed technical explanation
Cloud SQL for MySQL enables binary logging by default when automated backups are turned on, but you must explicitly set the `log_bin` flag to ON if you disable and re-enable backups. Binary logs are retained for the same duration as automated backups (default 7 days), and PITR can recover to any second within that window. A subtle behavior is that PITR cannot recover to a time before the oldest binary log available, even if an older automated backup exists, because the binary logs are needed to replay changes from that backup forward.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
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FAQ
Integrating Google Cloud services — This question tests Integrating Google Cloud services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Binary logging is enabled. — Point-in-time recovery (PITR) for Cloud SQL for MySQL relies on binary logs to replay transactions up to a specific timestamp. Binary logging must be enabled because it records all changes to the database, allowing you to restore to any point within the retention period. Automated backups are also required because PITR uses the most recent full backup as a base, then applies binary logs from that backup to the target time. Without automated backups, there is no base image to start the recovery process.
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 30, 2026
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