- A
Kappa architecture with Cloud Dataflow using the same pipeline for batch and streaming
Kappa architecture uses a single streaming pipeline; Dataflow can handle both by replaying data.
- B
Use Cloud Dataproc for batch and Cloud Dataflow for streaming
Why wrong: This is not unified; two separate systems.
- C
Lambda architecture with Cloud Dataflow for batch and Cloud Pub/Sub for streaming
Why wrong: Lambda architecture requires maintaining two separate codebases, increasing overhead.
- D
Use Cloud Data Fusion for both batch and streaming
Why wrong: Data Fusion is mainly batch; streaming support is limited.
Question 306 of 1,000
PDE Designing Data Processing Systems Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of designing data processing 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.
An organization is implementing a data lake on Google Cloud using Cloud Storage. They need to process both batch and streaming data with a unified pipeline. The team has experience with Apache Beam. Which architecture should they use to minimize operational overhead?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
✓
Kappa architecture with Cloud Dataflow using the same pipeline for batch and streaming
Kappa architecture uses a single streaming pipeline for both batch and streaming, simplifying operations. Dataflow implements Beam and supports both modes.
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.
- ✓
Kappa architecture with Cloud Dataflow using the same pipeline for batch and streaming
Why this is correct
Kappa architecture uses a single streaming pipeline; Dataflow can handle both by replaying data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Cloud Dataproc for batch and Cloud Dataflow for streaming
Why it's wrong here
This is not unified; two separate systems.
- ✗
Lambda architecture with Cloud Dataflow for batch and Cloud Pub/Sub for streaming
Why it's wrong here
Lambda architecture requires maintaining two separate codebases, increasing overhead.
- ✗
Use Cloud Data Fusion for both batch and streaming
Why it's wrong here
Data Fusion is mainly batch; streaming support is limited.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 PDE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Designing Data Processing Systems — study guide chapter
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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: Kappa architecture with Cloud Dataflow using the same pipeline for batch and streaming — Kappa architecture uses a single streaming pipeline for both batch and streaming, simplifying operations. Dataflow implements Beam and supports both modes.
What should I do if I get this PDE question wrong?
Identify which PDE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 PDE 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 PDE exam.
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