- A
Azure SQL Database with materialized views
Why wrong: Azure SQL Database with materialized views does not support both workloads on a single copy; it is still a transactional store and not designed for HTAP.
- B
Azure SQL Database with change data capture (CDC)
Why wrong: Change data capture (CDC) is for capturing changes, not for supporting analytical workloads directly on the same copy.
- C
Azure SQL Database with PolyBase
Why wrong: PolyBase is a data virtualization tool for querying external data, not an HTAP solution. It does not enable both operational and analytical workloads on a single copy of data within Azure SQL Database.
- D
Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB
Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB enables HTAP by providing near real-time analytics on operational data stored in Cosmos DB, using a separate analytical store that is automatically synchronized.
- E
Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP)
Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP) provides a fully managed analytical store for running analytics on operational data without impacting transactional performance, supporting both workloads on the same data.
DP-203 HTAP Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement data storage. 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. A key principle to apply: hTAP. 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 are designing a data storage solution that must support both operational and analytical workloads using a single copy of data. Which THREE technologies should you consider?
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 Synapse Link for Cosmos DB
The requirement is to support both operational and analytical workloads on a single copy of data, which is characteristic of HTAP (Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing) solutions. Among the options, Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB (D) and Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP) (E) are specifically designed for HTAP, synchronizing operational data to an analytical store without separate copies. Azure SQL Database with PolyBase (C) is a data virtualization tool that queries external data sources, not an HTAP solution; it does not enable both workloads on a single copy of data within the database itself. Therefore, only options D and E are correct. Note that the question asks for 'THREE' technologies, but only two are correct; this is a discrepancy in the exam question design.
Key principle: HTAP
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 SQL Database with materialized views
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database with materialized views does not support both workloads on a single copy; it is still a transactional store and not designed for HTAP.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database with change data capture (CDC)
Why it's wrong here
Change data capture (CDC) is for capturing changes, not for supporting analytical workloads directly on the same copy.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database with PolyBase
Why it's wrong here
PolyBase is a data virtualization tool for querying external data, not an HTAP solution. It does not enable both operational and analytical workloads on a single copy of data within Azure SQL Database.
- ✓
Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB
Why this is correct
Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB enables HTAP by providing near real-time analytics on operational data stored in Cosmos DB, using a separate analytical store that is automatically synchronized.
Related concept
HTAP
- ✓
Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP)
Why this is correct
Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP) provides a fully managed analytical store for running analytics on operational data without impacting transactional performance, supporting both workloads on the same data.
Related concept
HTAP
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may assume that PolyBase, being part of Azure SQL Database, can handle both operational and analytical workloads on the same data. However, PolyBase is for data virtualization and external queries, not for in-database HTAP. The real HTAP solutions are Azure Synapse Link and analytical store.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Cosmos DB analytical store uses a columnar format (based on Apache Parquet) and is automatically synchronized with the transactional store, enabling you to run analytical queries via Azure Synapse Link without extracting, transform, and load (ETL) processes. PolyBase in Azure SQL Database uses the T-SQL CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE syntax to query data stored in Azure Blob Storage or Azure Data Lake Storage, but it does not create a local copy—it accesses external data on demand, which can introduce latency and does not provide a unified operational and analytical store.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- HTAP
- Azure Synapse Link
- Analytical Store
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
HTAP
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.
Review hTAP, then practise related DP-203 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Design and implement data storage — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-203 question test?
Design and implement data storage — This question tests Design and implement data storage — HTAP.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB — The requirement is to support both operational and analytical workloads on a single copy of data, which is characteristic of HTAP (Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing) solutions. Among the options, Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB (D) and Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP) (E) are specifically designed for HTAP, synchronizing operational data to an analytical store without separate copies. Azure SQL Database with PolyBase (C) is a data virtualization tool that queries external data sources, not an HTAP solution; it does not enable both workloads on a single copy of data within the database itself. Therefore, only options D and E are correct. Note that the question asks for 'THREE' technologies, but only two are correct; this is a discrepancy in the exam question design.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Review hTAP, then practise related DP-203 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
HTAP
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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