- A
Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why wrong: DMS is for migrating databases to Cloud SQL/AlloyDB, not for streaming to BigQuery.
- B
Cloud Dataproc
Why wrong: Dataproc is for Hadoop/Spark jobs, not real-time CDC.
- C
Datastream
Datastream is built for serverless CDC to BigQuery and other targets.
- D
Dataflow
Why wrong: Dataflow can process data but is not a CDC source connector for Oracle.
Question 306 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 continuously replicate change data from an on-premises Oracle database to BigQuery for real-time analytics. Which Google Cloud service is designed specifically for this purpose?
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 Google Cloud serverless change data capture (CDC) and replication service specifically designed to continuously replicate data from sources like Oracle databases to BigQuery. It handles schema drift, supports log-based CDC, and provides low-latency streaming, making it the correct choice for real-time analytics.
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.
- ✗
Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for migrating databases to Cloud SQL/AlloyDB, not for streaming to BigQuery.
- ✗
Cloud Dataproc
Why it's wrong here
Dataproc is for Hadoop/Spark jobs, not real-time CDC.
- ✓
Datastream
Why this is correct
Datastream is built for serverless CDC to BigQuery and other targets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Dataflow
Why it's wrong here
Dataflow can process data but is not a CDC source connector for Oracle.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Dataflow's general-purpose stream processing capabilities with Datastream's purpose-built CDC replication, leading them to choose Dataflow when the question explicitly asks for a service 'designed specifically for this purpose.'
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Datastream uses Oracle LogMiner or direct redo log reading to capture changes without impacting source performance, and it automatically handles schema and data type mappings to BigQuery. A subtle behavior is its support for backfill and ongoing replication in a single workflow, which is critical for maintaining consistency during initial loads and continuous sync. In real-world scenarios, Datastream can replicate thousands of tables with minimal latency, making it ideal for operational analytics where near-real-time data freshness is required.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Datastream — Datastream is a Google Cloud serverless change data capture (CDC) and replication service specifically designed to continuously replicate data from sources like Oracle databases to BigQuery. It handles schema drift, supports log-based CDC, and provides low-latency streaming, making it the correct choice for real-time analytics.
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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