Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies →mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
PCDE Practice Question: Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies
Your organisation uses Cloud Spanner for a globally distributed application. You need to set up a backup strategy that allows restoring the database to a specific point in time within the last 7 days, with minimal impact on performance. Which THREE actions should you take? (Choose THREE.)
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 full database backups using gcloud spanner backups create and set retention to 7 days.
For point-in-time recovery within 7 days, Cloud Spanner offers built-in PITR (Option D) which enables restoring to any point within the retention period with minimal performance impact. Additionally, creating full backups (Option C) with a 7-day retention ensures you have backup files for restore if needed. Automating these backups with Cloud Scheduler (Option E) ensures regular backups without manual intervention. Options A and B are incorrect: A uses Dataflow export which is intended for long-term retention and can impact performance, and B restores from backups rather than enabling PITR. Option B is not needed when PITR is enabled.
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 daily using Dataflow to Cloud Storage.
Why it's wrong here
Exporting daily via Dataflow to Cloud Storage captures only a single snapshot per day, not the continuous transaction log required for point-in-time recovery within a 7‑day window; Cloud Spanner’s built-in version retention and incremental backups achieve this without the latency of full exports. This option tempts because Dataflow is a robust ETL tool for periodic bulk data movement, and for archival or compliance snapshots outside the recovery window it would be correct.
- ✗
Use gcloud spanner databases import to restore from previous exports.
Why it's wrong here
Using `gcloud spanner databases import` restores from a previous export, not from Cloud Spanner’s built-in point-in-time recovery (PITR) mechanism, which retains transaction logs for the last seven days. The import operation is a bulk data load that cannot target a specific moment within that window; it only restores the exact snapshot captured at export time. This option is tempting because exports are a traditional backup method, and `gcloud spanner databases import` is the correct tool when restoring from a manual export file, such as for cross-project recovery or long-term archival beyond the PITR retention period.
- ✓
Create full database backups using gcloud spanner backups create and set retention to 7 days.
Why this is correct
Creating full database backups with a 7-day retention provides a restore point and is part of a robust backup strategy.
- ✓
Enable point-in-time recovery (PITR) with a 7-day retention period.
Why this is correct
Enabling point-in-time recovery (PITR) with 7-day retention allows restoring to any point within the last 7 days with minimal performance impact.
- ✓
Use Cloud Scheduler to trigger regular full backups via gcloud commands.
Why this is correct
Using Cloud Scheduler to trigger regular full backups via gcloud commands automates the backup process and ensures consistent restore points.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This PCDE question is part of Courseiva's 1,446-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.