Question 397 of 1,446
PCDE Practice Question: Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies
A Cloud Spanner database is experiencing high CPU utilization (above 80%). The team wants to add an index to optimize a frequently used query. The schema change must not cause downtime. How should they proceed?
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
✓
Create the index using the Google Cloud Console; it will be applied online.
Spanner supports online schema changes; CREATE INDEX is non-blocking and can be executed via DDL without downtime.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Export the database, create the index in a new instance, then import.
Why it's wrong here
This is overly complex and requires downtime.
- ✗
Use gcloud spanner databases ddl update with --async flag.
Why it's wrong here
The --async flag does not affect blocking; the operation is still online.
- ✗
Stop the application, run the DDL statement, then restart.
Why it's wrong here
Downtime is unnecessary; Spanner handles schema changes online.
- ✓
Create the index using the Google Cloud Console; it will be applied online.
Why this is correct
Spanner supports online schema changes, including index creation, without downtime.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PCDE exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.