- A
Set up a Cloud Function that queries Cloud SQL periodically and loads results into BigQuery via the streaming API.
Why wrong: This approach requires custom code and is not real-time streaming; it introduces latency and complexity.
- B
Configure Cloud Scheduler to run an export of the Cloud SQL database every minute and load into BigQuery.
Why wrong: Export jobs are not real-time and can impact database performance.
- C
Create a Dataflow pipeline with a Pub/Sub topic and a change data capture connector for Cloud SQL.
Why wrong: This requires custom coding and setup; Datastream is simpler for direct replication.
- D
Use Datastream to capture CDC events from Cloud SQL MySQL and replicate them directly to BigQuery.
Datastream is serverless and purpose-built for CDC replication to BigQuery, meeting the requirements.
PCD Practice Question: Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of manage a solution that can span multiple database systems. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 SQL MySQL for transactional workloads, BigQuery for analytics, and wants to stream real-time changes from Cloud SQL to BigQuery with minimal latency and no custom code. Which approach is most appropriate?
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 Datastream to capture CDC events from Cloud SQL MySQL and replicate them directly to BigQuery.
Datastream is purpose-built for minimal-latency, serverless change data capture (CDC) from sources like Cloud SQL MySQL to BigQuery. It uses log-based replication (reading the MySQL binary log) to stream row-level changes directly into BigQuery without requiring custom code or intermediate processing. This approach meets the requirements of real-time streaming with no custom code and minimal latency.
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.
- ✗
Set up a Cloud Function that queries Cloud SQL periodically and loads results into BigQuery via the streaming API.
Why it's wrong here
This approach requires custom code and is not real-time streaming; it introduces latency and complexity.
- ✗
Configure Cloud Scheduler to run an export of the Cloud SQL database every minute and load into BigQuery.
Why it's wrong here
Export jobs are not real-time and can impact database performance.
- ✗
Create a Dataflow pipeline with a Pub/Sub topic and a change data capture connector for Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
This requires custom coding and setup; Datastream is simpler for direct replication.
- ✓
Use Datastream to capture CDC events from Cloud SQL MySQL and replicate them directly to BigQuery.
Why this is correct
Datastream is serverless and purpose-built for CDC replication to BigQuery, meeting the requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between batch-oriented tools (Cloud Scheduler, Cloud Functions with polling) and true streaming CDC services (Datastream), trapping candidates who think periodic polling or custom pipelines satisfy 'minimal latency and no custom code'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Datastream reads the MySQL binary log (binlog) in row-based replication format, capturing INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations as they occur. It then uses BigQuery's Storage Write API to append these changes directly into BigQuery tables, achieving sub-second latency. A key subtlety is that Datastream automatically handles schema drift and backfill, which would require manual intervention in a custom Dataflow pipeline.
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.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems — This question tests Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Datastream to capture CDC events from Cloud SQL MySQL and replicate them directly to BigQuery. — Datastream is purpose-built for minimal-latency, serverless change data capture (CDC) from sources like Cloud SQL MySQL to BigQuery. It uses log-based replication (reading the MySQL binary log) to stream row-level changes directly into BigQuery without requiring custom code or intermediate processing. This approach meets the requirements of real-time streaming with no custom code and minimal latency.
What should I do if I get this PCD 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.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCD 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 PCD exam.
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