- A
Use gcloud spanner databases backup create to create a backup that is stored in Cloud Storage.
This creates a managed backup in Cloud Storage in Avro + Protobuf format, suitable for archival and restore.
- B
Use gcloud spanner databases export to export the data to Cloud Storage in CSV format.
Why wrong: The export command uses Dataflow and outputs in Avro, not CSV. Also, it's not the preferred backup method.
- C
Use Dataflow to read the Spanner tables and write them to Cloud Storage as Parquet files.
Why wrong: This does not produce a native Spanner backup that can be restored using the restore command.
- D
Use gcloud spanner databases restore to copy the database to a new instance.
Why wrong: Restore is for restoring from a backup, not exporting.
Question 217 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 company uses Cloud Spanner and needs to export a full database to Cloud Storage in a format that preserves both the schema and data for long-term archival. The export must be restorable into a new Spanner database later. Which export method should they use?
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 backup create to create a backup that is stored in Cloud Storage.
Cloud Spanner provides managed database-level backups that export the database to Cloud Storage in Avro format with a Protobuf schema. This format preserves schema and data and can be restored via the backup restore feature. Import/export using Dataflow is slower and more complex for full database archival. The gcloud spanner databases export command uses Dataflow and is not the recommended approach for backups. Cloud console also initiates the backup process.
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 gcloud spanner databases backup create to create a backup that is stored in Cloud Storage.
Why this is correct
This creates a managed backup in Cloud Storage in Avro + Protobuf format, suitable for archival and restore.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use gcloud spanner databases export to export the data to Cloud Storage in CSV format.
Why it's wrong here
The export command uses Dataflow and outputs in Avro, not CSV. Also, it's not the preferred backup method.
- ✗
Use Dataflow to read the Spanner tables and write them to Cloud Storage as Parquet files.
Why it's wrong here
This does not produce a native Spanner backup that can be restored using the restore command.
- ✗
Use gcloud spanner databases restore to copy the database to a new instance.
Why it's wrong here
Restore is for restoring from a backup, not exporting.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The export command uses Dataflow and outputs in Avro, not CSV. Also, it's not the preferred backup method.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCDOE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Manage Database Solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Manage Database Solutions practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCDOE questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCDOE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCDOE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Design and Plan Database Solutions practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Design and Plan Database Solutions.
Manage Database Solutions practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Manage Database Solutions.
Migrate Database Solutions practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Migrate Database Solutions.
Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery.
Bootstrapping a Google Cloud organization for DevOps practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Bootstrapping a Google Cloud organization for DevOps.
Managing service incidents practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Managing service incidents.
Managing Google Cloud costs practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Managing Google Cloud costs.
Building and implementing CI/CD pipelines practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Building and implementing CI/CD pipelines.
Implementing service monitoring strategies practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Implementing service monitoring strategies.
Optimizing service performance practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Optimizing service performance.
PCDOE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to PCDOE fundamentals.
PCDOE scenario practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to PCDOE scenario.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCDOE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Use gcloud spanner databases backup create to create a backup that is stored in Cloud Storage. — Cloud Spanner provides managed database-level backups that export the database to Cloud Storage in Avro format with a Protobuf schema. This format preserves schema and data and can be restored via the backup restore feature. Import/export using Dataflow is slower and more complex for full database archival. The gcloud spanner databases export command uses Dataflow and is not the recommended approach for backups. Cloud console also initiates the backup process.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE question wrong?
Identify which PCDOE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
Keep practising
More PCDOE practice questions
- Order the steps to configure a VPC Network Peering between two projects.
- Refer to the exhibit. The Cloud Build fails with a permission error. The Cloud Build service account has roles/cloudbuil…
- A company is setting up a new Google Cloud organization. They want to ensure that all projects inherit common IAM polici…
- A DevOps team is bootstrapping their Google Cloud organization and wants to enable Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Te…
- To securely manage secrets (e.g., API keys) used in Cloud Build pipelines, which service should be used?
- A DevOps engineer needs to set up a centralized logging solution for multiple projects. They want to store logs in a Big…
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.
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.