- A
Export the data, create a new database with the index, and import the data.
Why wrong: This causes significant downtime and is unnecessary.
- B
Create the index using DDL statement 'CREATE INDEX' — it will be applied online without downtime.
Correct. Spanner schema changes are non-blocking for existing database operations.
- C
Stop the application, add the index, and restart.
Why wrong: Downtime is not required.
- D
Use gcloud spanner databases add-index command.
Why wrong: No such command; indexes are added via DDL.
Question 651 of 1,000
PCDOE Manage Database Solutions Practice Question
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of manage database solutions. 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.
A Cloud Spanner database needs a new index added to support a new query pattern. The database is serving live traffic. Which approach should be taken?
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 DDL statement 'CREATE INDEX' — it will be applied online without downtime.
Cloud Spanner supports online schema changes, including index creation, without downtime. The 'CREATE INDEX' DDL statement is applied asynchronously in the background, allowing the database to continue serving live traffic while the index is built. This is the correct approach because it avoids any interruption to the application.
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.
- ✗
Export the data, create a new database with the index, and import the data.
Why it's wrong here
This causes significant downtime and is unnecessary.
- ✓
Create the index using DDL statement 'CREATE INDEX' — it will be applied online without downtime.
Why this is correct
Correct. Spanner schema changes are non-blocking for existing database operations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Stop the application, add the index, and restart.
Why it's wrong here
Downtime is not required.
- ✗
Use gcloud spanner databases add-index command.
Why it's wrong here
No such command; indexes are added via DDL.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often mistakenly believe that schema changes in a distributed database like Cloud Spanner require downtime or data migration, leading them to choose disruptive options like stopping the application or re-importing data.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
No such command; indexes are added via DDL.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud Spanner implements online DDL by creating a new index in the background as a separate partition, using a two-phase process: first, it builds the index data from existing table data, then it atomically switches the schema to include the new index. During this process, writes to the base table are also applied to the index via a shadow pipeline, ensuring consistency without locking the table. This mechanism is based on Spanner's distributed, synchronous replication and TrueTime API, which enable non-blocking schema changes even under heavy write loads.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Manage Database Solutions — This question tests Manage Database Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create the index using DDL statement 'CREATE INDEX' — it will be applied online without downtime. — Cloud Spanner supports online schema changes, including index creation, without downtime. The 'CREATE INDEX' DDL statement is applied asynchronously in the background, allowing the database to continue serving live traffic while the index is built. This is the correct approach because it avoids any interruption to the application.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE 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
This PCDOE 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 PCDOE exam.
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