- A
Use a Cloud Function to copy data
Why wrong: Cloud Functions have time limits and are not suitable for large exports; also incur compute cost.
- B
Use Dataflow to read and write to Cloud Storage
Why wrong: Dataflow adds compute cost for the export job, making it less cost-effective.
- C
Use gcloud spanner databases export
The export command directly exports to Cloud Storage with no extra compute cost.
- D
Use gcloud spanner databases execute-sql
Why wrong: Execute-sql is for small queries, not for full database export.
Question 354 of 1,000
PCDE Plan and manage database infrastructure Practice Question
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of plan and manage database infrastructure. 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.
You need to export data from Cloud Spanner for archival purposes. Which method is most cost-effective?
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 gcloud spanner databases export
Option C is correct because `gcloud spanner databases export` uses Cloud Spanner's built-in managed export feature, which directly exports data to Cloud Storage in Avro format without incurring compute costs from Dataflow or Cloud Functions. This is the most cost-effective method for archival purposes as it leverages Spanner's internal export infrastructure, which is optimized for bulk data movement and has no additional per-operation compute charges beyond the storage and network egress costs.
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.
- ✗
Use a Cloud Function to copy data
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Functions have time limits and are not suitable for large exports; also incur compute cost.
- ✗
Use Dataflow to read and write to Cloud Storage
Why it's wrong here
Dataflow adds compute cost for the export job, making it less cost-effective.
- ✓
Use gcloud spanner databases export
Why this is correct
The export command directly exports to Cloud Storage with no extra compute cost.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use gcloud spanner databases execute-sql
Why it's wrong here
Execute-sql is for small queries, not for full database export.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common pitfall in Google Cloud exams is assuming that exporting data from Cloud Spanner requires a separate compute service like Dataflow or Cloud Functions. However, Cloud Spanner provides a native managed export feature (`gcloud spanner databases export`) that directly exports to Cloud Storage in Avro format, without additional compute costs. Candidates may overlook this built-in capability and choose costlier alternatives.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `gcloud spanner databases export` command triggers a long-running operation that uses Spanner's internal export service, which reads data from the database and writes it to Cloud Storage in Avro format, supporting parallel processing across splits for high throughput. Under the hood, the export operation uses the same infrastructure as Spanner's backup feature, ensuring consistency by reading from the database's current state without blocking writes. In a real-world scenario, for archiving terabytes of data, this method avoids the overhead of provisioning and managing compute resources, and the exported Avro files can be directly used for later import into Spanner or other systems.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Plan and manage database infrastructure — This question tests Plan and manage database infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use gcloud spanner databases export — Option C is correct because `gcloud spanner databases export` uses Cloud Spanner's built-in managed export feature, which directly exports data to Cloud Storage in Avro format without incurring compute costs from Dataflow or Cloud Functions. This is the most cost-effective method for archival purposes as it leverages Spanner's internal export infrastructure, which is optimized for bulk data movement and has no additional per-operation compute charges beyond the storage and network egress costs.
What should I do if I get this PCDE 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
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