Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Cosmos DB and Azure SQL Database, as these two Azure services provide native support for change data capture (CDC) to stream database changes to other systems. Azure Cosmos DB offers a built-in change feed that captures inserts, updates, and deletes in a persistent, ordered log, which can be consumed by downstream processes like Azure Functions or the Change Feed processor. Azure SQL Database includes native CDC functionality that tracks row-level changes in dedicated change tables, enabling efficient incremental data loading into data warehouses or streaming pipelines. On the AZ-305 exam, this distinction tests your ability to recommend data integration patterns for real-time analytics or event-driven architectures, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose between Cosmos DB’s change feed and SQL Database’s CDC for different latency and consistency requirements. A common trap is assuming only one service supports CDC, but remember: Cosmos DB feeds events, SQL Database tracks rows. Memory tip: “Cosmos feeds, SQL tracks” — both stream changes, but for different data models.
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage 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.
Which TWO Azure services provide native support for change data capture (CDC) to stream database changes to other systems?
Azure Table Storage
Why wrong: Table Storage does not have native CDC.
Azure Cosmos DB
Cosmos DB change feed provides CDC.
Azure Cache for Redis
Why wrong: Redis is a cache, not a database with CDC.
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database supports CDC via its built-in feature.
Azure Synapse Link for Azure Cosmos DB
Why wrong: Synapse Link is an analytical store, not CDC.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Cosmos DB
Azure Cosmos DB provides native change feed support, which is a persistent, ordered log of changes (inserts, updates, deletes) that can be streamed to downstream systems via the Change Feed processor or Azure Functions. This makes it a correct answer for change data capture (CDC) scenarios.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Table Storage
Why it's wrong here
Table Storage does not have native CDC.
Azure Cosmos DB
Why this is correct
Cosmos DB change feed provides CDC.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Cache for Redis
Why it's wrong here
Redis is a cache, not a database with CDC.
Azure SQL Database
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database supports CDC via its built-in feature.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Synapse Link for Azure Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Synapse Link is an analytical store, not CDC.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Azure Synapse Link for Azure Cosmos DB (an analytical store) with a native CDC service, when in fact it relies on the underlying change feed but is not itself a CDC streaming solution.
Detailed technical explanation
Azure Cosmos DB's change feed is implemented via the Change Feed processor, which uses a lease container to track progress and supports exactly-once semantics for change delivery. Azure SQL Database's CDC feature uses the SQL Server transaction log to capture changes and exposes them through system tables (e.g., `cdc.<capture_instance>_CT`) or via the `sys.fn_cdc_get_all_changes_...` functions, enabling integration with Azure Data Factory or Kafka connectors.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Cosmos DB — Azure Cosmos DB provides native change feed support, which is a persistent, ordered log of changes (inserts, updates, deletes) that can be streamed to downstream systems via the Change Feed processor or Azure Functions. This makes it a correct answer for change data capture (CDC) scenarios.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This AZ-305 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AZ-305 exam.
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