- A
Dataflow for batch processing
Correct. Dataflow for batch processing implements the batch layer, processing historical data to produce batch views.
- B
Cloud Pub/Sub for real-time ingestion
Correct. Cloud Pub/Sub ingests real-time streaming data, feeding both the batch and speed layers.
- C
Cloud SQL as the serving database
Why wrong: Incorrect. Cloud SQL is a relational database used for transactional workloads, not the primary serving layer in a lambda architecture on Google Cloud.
- D
Cloud Bigtable for serving
Why wrong: Incorrect. Cloud Bigtable is a NoSQL database that can serve as a serving layer, but it is not one of the three essential components typically specified for lambda architecture.
- E
Dataflow for stream processing
Correct. Dataflow for stream processing implements the speed layer, processing real-time data to produce speed views.
- F
Dataflow for batch processing
Batch layer (though Dataflow can also stream).
PDE Designing Data Processing Systems Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of designing data processing systems. 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 is designing a data pipeline using the lambda architecture. They need to process both real-time streams and batch historical data. Which THREE components are essential for a lambda architecture on Google Cloud?
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
Dataflow for batch processing
The three essential components for a lambda architecture on Google Cloud are: Dataflow for batch processing (batch layer), Cloud Pub/Sub for real-time ingestion (used by both batch and speed layers), and Dataflow for stream processing (speed layer). These form the batch, ingestion, and speed layers. The serving layer (e.g., BigQuery) is also important but not among the three essential components listed here.
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.
- ✓
Dataflow for batch processing
Why this is correct
Correct. Dataflow for batch processing implements the batch layer, processing historical data to produce batch views.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Cloud Pub/Sub for real-time ingestion
Why this is correct
Correct. Cloud Pub/Sub ingests real-time streaming data, feeding both the batch and speed layers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Cloud SQL as the serving database
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Cloud SQL is a relational database used for transactional workloads, not the primary serving layer in a lambda architecture on Google Cloud.
- ✗
Cloud Bigtable for serving
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Cloud Bigtable is a NoSQL database that can serve as a serving layer, but it is not one of the three essential components typically specified for lambda architecture.
- ✓
Dataflow for stream processing
Why this is correct
Correct. Dataflow for stream processing implements the speed layer, processing real-time data to produce speed views.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Dataflow for batch processing
Why this is correct
Batch layer (though Dataflow can also stream).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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 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.
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.
Identify which PDE 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.
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Designing Data Processing Systems — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PDE question test?
Designing Data Processing Systems — This question tests Designing Data Processing Systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Dataflow for batch processing — The three essential components for a lambda architecture on Google Cloud are: Dataflow for batch processing (batch layer), Cloud Pub/Sub for real-time ingestion (used by both batch and speed layers), and Dataflow for stream processing (speed layer). These form the batch, ingestion, and speed layers. The serving layer (e.g., BigQuery) is also important but not among the three essential components listed here.
What should I do if I get this PDE question wrong?
Identify which PDE 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 →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PDE 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 PDE exam.
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