The correct choice is the snippet using `DefaultAzureCredential` with `GetTokenAsync` and a `TokenRequestContext` targeting `https://database.windows.net/.default`. This works because `DefaultAzureCredential` automatically chains through multiple authentication sources, including the function app’s system-assigned managed identity, and the `TokenRequestContext` object properly specifies the Azure SQL resource URI—unlike a plain string, which would cause a runtime error. On the AZ-204 exam, this tests your understanding of how managed identity tokens are retrieved in .NET isolated functions, a common scenario for securing database connections without secrets. A frequent trap is forgetting the `TokenRequestContext` wrapper or using the wrong resource URI; the correct URI for Azure SQL is always `https://database.windows.net/.default`. Memory tip: think “Default for Database”—`DefaultAzureCredential` plus the `.default` suffix on the SQL resource URI.
AZ-204 Develop Azure compute solutions Practice Question
This AZ-204 practice question tests your understanding of develop azure compute solutions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 have an Azure Function app that uses .NET 8 isolated process. The function must connect to an Azure SQL database using a managed identity. The function app has a system-assigned managed identity enabled. Which code snippet correctly retrieves the access token?
new SqlConnection(connectionString) using Integrated Security=true;
Why wrong: Not applicable for managed identity.
B
var token = await new Azure.Identity.DefaultAzureCredential().GetTokenAsync("https://database.windows.net");
Why wrong: Wrong method signature.
C
var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential(); var token = await credential.GetTokenAsync(new TokenRequestContext(new[] {"https://database.windows.net/.default"}));
Correct approach to get token.
D
var credential = new ManagedIdentityCredential(); var token = await credential.GetTokenAsync("https://database.windows.net");
Why wrong: GetTokenAsync expects TokenRequestContext, not string.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential(); var token = await credential.GetTokenAsync(new TokenRequestContext(new[] {"https://database.windows.net/.default"}));
Option C is correct because it uses `DefaultAzureCredential` to obtain an access token for Azure SQL Database by specifying the resource URI `https://database.windows.net/.default` in a `TokenRequestContext`. In a .NET 8 isolated process function app with a system-assigned managed identity, `DefaultAzureCredential` automatically attempts managed identity authentication as one of its credential sources, making it the recommended approach. The `GetTokenAsync` method requires a `TokenRequestContext` object, not a plain string, to correctly request the token for the Azure SQL resource.
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.
✗
new SqlConnection(connectionString) using Integrated Security=true;
Why it's wrong here
Not applicable for managed identity.
✗
var token = await new Azure.Identity.DefaultAzureCredential().GetTokenAsync("https://database.windows.net");
Why it's wrong here
Wrong method signature.
✓
var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential(); var token = await credential.GetTokenAsync(new TokenRequestContext(new[] {"https://database.windows.net/.default"}));
Why this is correct
Correct approach to get token.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
var credential = new ManagedIdentityCredential(); var token = await credential.GetTokenAsync("https://database.windows.net");
Why it's wrong here
GetTokenAsync expects TokenRequestContext, not string.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often forget that `GetTokenAsync` requires a `TokenRequestContext` object with an array of scopes, not a plain string URL, and they may also omit the `/.default` suffix required for Azure SQL Database token requests.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `DefaultAzureCredential` chains multiple credential sources (e.g., environment variables, managed identity, Visual Studio) and attempts them in order, which is ideal for functions running both locally and in Azure. The token request must include the scope `https://database.windows.net/.default` because Azure SQL Database expects the `/.default` suffix to indicate the default audience for the resource. In a real-world scenario, if the function app also uses user-assigned managed identities, `DefaultAzureCredential` can be configured with `ManagedIdentityClientId` to target the specific identity.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-204 question in full detail.
Develop Azure compute solutions — This question tests Develop Azure compute solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential(); var token = await credential.GetTokenAsync(new TokenRequestContext(new[] {"https://database.windows.net/.default"})); — Option C is correct because it uses `DefaultAzureCredential` to obtain an access token for Azure SQL Database by specifying the resource URI `https://database.windows.net/.default` in a `TokenRequestContext`. In a .NET 8 isolated process function app with a system-assigned managed identity, `DefaultAzureCredential` automatically attempts managed identity authentication as one of its credential sources, making it the recommended approach. The `GetTokenAsync` method requires a `TokenRequestContext` object, not a plain string, to correctly request the token for the Azure SQL resource.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 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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