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Designing data processing systems →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

PDE Designing data processing systems Practice Question

This PDE practice question tests your understanding of designing data processing systems. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
```
# Cloud Storage Object Lifecycle Rule (JSON)
{
  "lifecycle": {
    "rule": [
      {
        "action": {"type": "SetStorageClass", "storageClass": "NEARLINE"},
        "condition": {"age": 30, "matchesStorageClass": ["STANDARD"]}
      },
      {
        "action": {"type": "Delete"},
        "condition": {"age": 90}
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

A data engineer configures the above lifecycle rule on a Cloud Storage bucket that stores daily log files. After 60 days, they notice that files older than 30 days have been transitioned to Nearline, but files older than 90 days are still present. What is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
```
# Cloud Storage Object Lifecycle Rule (JSON)
{
  "lifecycle": {
    "rule": [
      {
        "action": {"type": "SetStorageClass", "storageClass": "NEARLINE"},
        "condition": {"age": 30, "matchesStorageClass": ["STANDARD"]}
      },
      {
        "action": {"type": "Delete"},
        "condition": {"age": 90}
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

A
The delete rule is missing `isLive: true` condition, so it does not apply to live objects.
Why wrong: By default, lifecycle rules apply to live objects; `isLive` is optional and typically set to false for delete rules on archived versions.
B
The `age` condition in the delete rule is calculated from the transition date, not creation date.
Why wrong: In Cloud Storage, `age` is always from the object's creation time, not from transition.
C
The bucket has object versioning enabled, and the delete rule only applies to non-current versions.
Why wrong: Versioning does not affect how age is computed; the rule applies to all versions if not specified, but this is not indicated.
D
The delete rule's condition includes `matchesStorageClass`: `STANDARD`, which does not match the Nearline storage class of transitioned objects.
After the first rule transitions objects to Nearline, they no longer match the `STANDARD` storage class required by the delete rule, so they are not deleted.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

The delete rule's condition includes `matchesStorageClass`: `STANDARD`, which does not match the Nearline storage class of transitioned objects.

Option D is correct because the lifecycle delete rule includes a `matchesStorageClass` condition set to `STANDARD`. Once objects are transitioned to Nearline (which is a different storage class), they no longer match the `STANDARD` condition, so the delete rule does not apply to them. As a result, files older than 90 days that were moved to Nearline remain in the bucket.

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.

✗
The delete rule is missing `isLive: true` condition, so it does not apply to live objects.
Why it's wrong here
By default, lifecycle rules apply to live objects; `isLive` is optional and typically set to false for delete rules on archived versions.
✗
The `age` condition in the delete rule is calculated from the transition date, not creation date.
Why it's wrong here
In Cloud Storage, `age` is always from the object's creation time, not from transition.
✗
The bucket has object versioning enabled, and the delete rule only applies to non-current versions.
Why it's wrong here
Versioning does not affect how age is computed; the rule applies to all versions if not specified, but this is not indicated.
✓
The delete rule's condition includes `matchesStorageClass`: `STANDARD`, which does not match the Nearline storage class of transitioned objects.
Why this is correct
After the first rule transitions objects to Nearline, they no longer match the `STANDARD` storage class required by the delete rule, so they are not deleted.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Google Cloud often tests the interaction between lifecycle rules and storage class transitions, specifically that a `matchesStorageClass` condition filters objects based on their current storage class, not the original class at creation.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In Google Cloud Storage, lifecycle rules are evaluated independently for each storage class transition and deletion. When a rule has a `matchesStorageClass` condition, it only applies to objects currently in that storage class; objects that have been transitioned to a different class (e.g., Nearline) are no longer matched. This is a common pitfall when chaining rules: the transition rule moves objects to Nearline, but the delete rule must either omit `matchesStorageClass` or explicitly include `Nearline` to apply to those objects.

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.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this PDE question test?

Designing data processing systems — This question tests Designing data processing systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The delete rule's condition includes `matchesStorageClass`: `STANDARD`, which does not match the Nearline storage class of transitioned objects. — Option D is correct because the lifecycle delete rule includes a `matchesStorageClass` condition set to `STANDARD`. Once objects are transitioned to Nearline (which is a different storage class), they no longer match the `STANDARD` condition, so the delete rule does not apply to them. As a result, files older than 90 days that were moved to Nearline remain in the bucket.

What should I do if I get this PDE question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026

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