Question 577 of 1,446
Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCDE Practice Question: Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies
A Cloud Spanner database is experiencing increased read traffic. You need to add an index to improve query performance without downtime. What is the correct approach?
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
✓
Use the CREATE INDEX statement. Spanner creates indexes online without blocking writes or reads.
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 causes downtime and is unnecessary as Spanner supports online index creation.
- ✗
Use the ALTER TABLE statement to add the index as a constraint.
Why it's wrong here
ALTER TABLE is for schema changes like adding columns, not creating indexes.
- ✗
Create a secondary index using the 'CREATE INDEX WITH OFFLINE' option to avoid blocking.
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'WITH OFFLINE' option; creation is always online.
- ✓
Use the CREATE INDEX statement. Spanner creates indexes online without blocking writes or reads.
Why this is correct
Spanner supports online index creation; the index is built in the background without downtime.
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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.
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