- A
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL
Why wrong: Cloud SQL is a database service, not a replication tool. It cannot directly replicate to BigQuery.
- B
Cloud Data Fusion
Why wrong: Data Fusion is a visual data integration tool, but it is not purpose-built for CDC to BigQuery. Datastream is more direct.
- C
Cloud Composer
Why wrong: Cloud Composer is a workflow orchestration service; it can schedule jobs but is not a native CDC replication service.
- D
Datastream
Datastream is designed for serverless CDC replication, with native destinations including BigQuery.
Question 986 of 980
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. 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 data engineering team needs to replicate data from a PostgreSQL database to BigQuery in near real-time for analytics. Which Google Cloud service is most suitable for this task with minimal setup?
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
✓
Datastream
Datastream is a serverless CDC replication service specifically designed for replicating from sources like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle to BigQuery, Cloud Storage, or Pub/Sub. It handles schema mapping and initial backfill.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL is a database service, not a replication tool. It cannot directly replicate to BigQuery.
- ✗
Cloud Data Fusion
Why it's wrong here
Data Fusion is a visual data integration tool, but it is not purpose-built for CDC to BigQuery. Datastream is more direct.
- ✗
Cloud Composer
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Composer is a workflow orchestration service; it can schedule jobs but is not a native CDC replication service.
- ✓
Datastream
Why this is correct
Datastream is designed for serverless CDC replication, with native destinations including BigQuery.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCD ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
- →
Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems — study guide chapter
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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 — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Datastream — Datastream is a serverless CDC replication service specifically designed for replicating from sources like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle to BigQuery, Cloud Storage, or Pub/Sub. It handles schema mapping and initial backfill.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCD ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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