- A
Use the gcloud command to export the database to Cloud Storage as Avro
gcloud spanner databases export exports to Avro in GCS; can be restored in another region.
- B
Use pg_dump to export Spanner data
Why wrong: pg_dump is for PostgreSQL, not Spanner.
- C
Use Bigtable managed backups
Why wrong: Bigtable backups are for Bigtable, not Spanner.
- D
Use Cloud SQL automated backups
Why wrong: Cloud SQL backups are for Cloud SQL databases, not Spanner.
Question 946 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.
You need to back up a Cloud Spanner database and store it in a different region for disaster recovery. The backup should be a full database export. What is the recommended method?
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 the gcloud command to export the database to Cloud Storage as Avro
The recommended method for backing up a Cloud Spanner database for disaster recovery is to use the `gcloud` command to export the database to Cloud Storage in Avro format. This creates a full database export that can be stored in a different region, enabling restoration in case of a regional failure. Cloud Spanner does not support native backup to other regions; instead, you must export the data to Cloud Storage and then import it into a new instance in the target region.
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 gcloud command to export the database to Cloud Storage as Avro
Why this is correct
gcloud spanner databases export exports to Avro in GCS; can be restored in another region.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use pg_dump to export Spanner data
Why it's wrong here
pg_dump is for PostgreSQL, not Spanner.
- ✗
Use Bigtable managed backups
Why it's wrong here
Bigtable backups are for Bigtable, not Spanner.
- ✗
Use Cloud SQL automated backups
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL backups are for Cloud SQL databases, not Spanner.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between database services by presenting backup methods from other Google Cloud databases (Cloud SQL, Bigtable) as plausible options, exploiting the candidate's confusion about which tool applies to Cloud Spanner.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud Spanner exports use the `gcloud spanner databases export` command, which creates Avro files in Cloud Storage. Avro is chosen for its schema evolution support and efficient serialization, making it ideal for full database exports. The export process uses Spanner's internal read-only transactions to ensure consistency without blocking writes, and the resulting files can be imported into a Spanner instance in any region using `gcloud spanner databases import`. For cross-region disaster recovery, you must manually copy the export files to a Cloud Storage bucket in the target region or use Cloud Storage's Object Copy feature.
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 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the gcloud command to export the database to Cloud Storage as Avro — The recommended method for backing up a Cloud Spanner database for disaster recovery is to use the `gcloud` command to export the database to Cloud Storage in Avro format. This creates a full database export that can be stored in a different region, enabling restoration in case of a regional failure. Cloud Spanner does not support native backup to other regions; instead, you must export the data to Cloud Storage and then import it into a new instance in the target region.
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
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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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