Question 1,028 of 1,031

Describe Azure architecture and services →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is Azure Functions, because it is the serverless compute service that can automatically trigger a Python script on blob upload in Azure without managing any infrastructure. When a CSV file lands in Blob Storage, Azure Functions can be configured with a Blob Storage trigger or an Event Grid subscription to fire the script instantly, and the consumption plan ensures you pay only for execution time—meeting the exact requirements of no VM or container management and cost-per-run. On the AZ-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of serverless vs. IaaS/PaaS; a common trap is choosing Azure Logic Apps (which is also serverless but designed for workflows and connectors, not custom code execution) or Azure Batch (which requires job scheduling and pool management). Remember the key distinction: if the task needs custom code like Python, think Functions; if it needs orchestration of pre-built connectors, think Logic Apps. A simple memory tip: “Functions fires on files, Logic Apps links services.”

AZ-900 Describe Azure architecture and services Practice Question

This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe azure architecture and services. 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.

A company's data engineering team needs to process CSV files that are uploaded to an Azure Blob Storage container. For each uploaded file, the team must run a custom Python script to clean and transform the data. The team wants a solution that automatically triggers the script upon file upload, does not require them to manage any virtual machines or containers, and charges only when code executes. Which Azure service should the team use?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Study the full Python automation breakdown →

A
Azure Logic Apps
Why wrong: Azure Logic Apps is a workflow automation service that uses pre-built connectors to orchestrate tasks. It can trigger on blob uploads, but it is designed for integrating services and managing workflows, not for running custom Python scripts directly. To execute Python code within Logic Apps, you would need a separate compute service like Azure Functions, making this an indirect and less optimal choice.
B
Azure Functions
Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that supports multiple languages, including Python. It can be triggered by Azure Blob Storage events (e.g., a new blob created) to automatically run the function code. The consumption plan bills only for the execution time, and there is no infrastructure to manage. This matches all the requirements perfectly.
C
Azure Container Instances
Why wrong: Azure Container Instances (ACI) allows you to run containers without managing servers, but it does not natively support event-driven triggers like blob uploads. You would need an external service (e.g., Azure Functions or Logic Apps) to invoke the container, which adds complexity and cost. Additionally, ACI charges for the entire duration the container runs, not per execution.
D
Azure Batch
Why wrong: Azure Batch is a job scheduling service for running large-scale parallel and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. It is designed for batch processing of many tasks, not for executing a single script in response to an event. While you could potentially use it, it would be overly complex and costly for the simple, event-driven file processing described.

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

✓

Azure Functions

Azure Functions is the correct choice because it provides a serverless compute service that can be triggered directly by an HTTP request or a Blob Storage event (via an Event Grid subscription or a Blob trigger). This allows the custom Python script to execute automatically when a CSV file is uploaded, without provisioning or managing any virtual machines or containers. The consumption plan ensures you are charged only for the duration of code execution, meeting all stated requirements.

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.

✗
Azure Logic Apps
Why it's wrong here
Azure Logic Apps is a workflow automation service that uses pre-built connectors to orchestrate tasks. It can trigger on blob uploads, but it is designed for integrating services and managing workflows, not for running custom Python scripts directly. To execute Python code within Logic Apps, you would need a separate compute service like Azure Functions, making this an indirect and less optimal choice.
✓
Azure Functions
Why this is correct
Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that supports multiple languages, including Python. It can be triggered by Azure Blob Storage events (e.g., a new blob created) to automatically run the function code. The consumption plan bills only for the execution time, and there is no infrastructure to manage. This matches all the requirements perfectly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Container Instances
Why it's wrong here
Azure Container Instances (ACI) allows you to run containers without managing servers, but it does not natively support event-driven triggers like blob uploads. You would need an external service (e.g., Azure Functions or Logic Apps) to invoke the container, which adds complexity and cost. Additionally, ACI charges for the entire duration the container runs, not per execution.
✗
Azure Batch
Why it's wrong here
Azure Batch is a job scheduling service for running large-scale parallel and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. It is designed for batch processing of many tasks, not for executing a single script in response to an event. While you could potentially use it, it would be overly complex and costly for the simple, event-driven file processing described.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Logic Apps with Azure Functions because both can respond to blob uploads, but Logic Apps cannot natively execute arbitrary Python code without an intermediate service, and its pricing model charges per action execution rather than per compute time.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Azure Functions supports a Blob Storage trigger that uses an Event Grid subscription under the hood for reliable, low-latency event delivery. The function runtime automatically scales out to handle multiple concurrent blob uploads, and the consumption plan meters billing in increments of 1 GB-second of memory and execution time. In a real-world scenario, this pattern is ideal for ETL pipelines where raw CSV files land in a 'input' container and the function writes cleaned data to a 'processed' container, all without any infrastructure management.

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 AZ-900 question test?

Describe Azure architecture and services — This question tests Describe Azure architecture and services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Azure Functions — Azure Functions is the correct choice because it provides a serverless compute service that can be triggered directly by an HTTP request or a Blob Storage event (via an Event Grid subscription or a Blob trigger). This allows the custom Python script to execute automatically when a CSV file is uploaded, without provisioning or managing any virtual machines or containers. The consumption plan ensures you are charged only for the duration of code execution, meeting all stated requirements.

What should I do if I get this AZ-900 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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