PDE Storing the Data Practice Question
A company is building a data lake on Cloud Storage. They need to organise data into zones for raw, curated, and processed layers. Which TWO practices should they follow? (Choose 2.)
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 separate Cloud Storage buckets for each zone (raw, curated, processed).
A data lake typically uses separate buckets or prefixes for raw (immutable), curated (cleaned/transformed), and processed (aggregated/reporting) data. Using prefixes within a single bucket is common, but separate buckets provide better isolation. Lifecycle rules can be applied per prefix or bucket.
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 the same storage class for all zones to simplify management.
Why it's wrong here
Using the same storage class for all zones is not recommended because different zones may require different performance and cost characteristics; for example, raw data might use Nearline while processed data uses Standard.
- ✓
Use separate Cloud Storage buckets for each zone (raw, curated, processed).
Why this is correct
Separate buckets provide logical isolation, enabling different permissions, lifecycle policies, and storage classes per zone, which is a recommended practice.
- ✗
Set retention policies on the raw zone to make data immutable.
Why it's wrong here
Retention policies prevent deletion but do not make data immutable (i.e., unchangeable). For immutability, use object holds or retention lock.
- ✗
Enable object versioning on all buckets to prevent data loss.
Why it's wrong here
Object versioning helps protect against accidental deletion or overwrite, but it is not a specific practice for organizing zones; it can be used in conjunction with either separate buckets or prefixes.
- ✓
Use a single bucket with different prefixes (e.g., /raw, /curated, /processed).
Why this is correct
Using a single bucket with different prefixes (e.g., /raw, /curated, /processed) is a valid and common practice for organizing data lake zones, often simpler to manage than separate buckets.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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