PCD Managing application performance monitoring Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of managing application performance monitoring. 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.
Which TWO of the following are valid ways to export Cloud Logging logs to BigQuery?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a Dataflow pipeline to stream logs from Pub/Sub to BigQuery
Option B is correct because you can use a Dataflow pipeline to read Cloud Logging logs from a Pub/Sub topic (where logs are routed via a log sink) and stream them into BigQuery for real-time analysis. This is a common pattern for custom log processing and transformation before loading into BigQuery. Option C is correct because Cloud Logging allows you to create a log sink directly with a destination of a BigQuery dataset, which automatically exports logs in near real-time without additional infrastructure.
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 the Logging API to write logs directly to BigQuery
Why it's wrong here
Logging API writes to Cloud Logging, not directly to BigQuery.
✓
Use a Dataflow pipeline to stream logs from Pub/Sub to BigQuery
Why this is correct
This is a valid alternative path for exporting logs to BigQuery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Create a log sink with destination set to BigQuery dataset
Why this is correct
This is the standard way to export logs to BigQuery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use the BigQuery Data Transfer Service for Cloud Logging
Why it's wrong here
BigQuery Data Transfer Service does not support Cloud Logging as a source.
✗
Use Cloud Monitoring to send logs to BigQuery
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Monitoring handles metrics, not logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between direct sink destinations (BigQuery, Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage) and indirect methods like Dataflow or custom code, leading candidates to mistakenly think the Logging API or BigQuery Data Transfer Service can be used for export.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a log sink in Cloud Logging uses a filter to select log entries and routes them to a supported destination like BigQuery, Pub/Sub, or Cloud Storage. When using a Dataflow pipeline, logs are first routed to Pub/Sub via a sink, then the pipeline can apply transformations (e.g., parsing, enrichment) before writing to BigQuery, which is useful for handling high-volume or complex log schemas. A subtle behavior is that log sinks to BigQuery create a partitioned table by ingestion time, and you cannot change the partitioning or clustering after creation without recreating the sink.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Managing application performance monitoring — This question tests Managing application performance monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a Dataflow pipeline to stream logs from Pub/Sub to BigQuery — Option B is correct because you can use a Dataflow pipeline to read Cloud Logging logs from a Pub/Sub topic (where logs are routed via a log sink) and stream them into BigQuery for real-time analysis. This is a common pattern for custom log processing and transformation before loading into BigQuery. Option C is correct because Cloud Logging allows you to create a log sink directly with a destination of a BigQuery dataset, which automatically exports logs in near real-time without additional infrastructure.
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.
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Question Discussion
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