The answer is Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP), Azure Synapse Link, and PolyBase in Azure SQL Database. These three technologies are correct because Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store enables hybrid transactional/analytical processing (HTAP) by automatically replicating operational data into a column-oriented analytical store, allowing near-real-time analytical queries on a single copy of data without impacting transactional performance. Azure Synapse Link connects this analytical store directly to Synapse Analytics for seamless querying, while PolyBase in Azure SQL Database supports querying external data sources like Azure Blob Storage using T-SQL, though it is primarily for data virtualization rather than true HTAP on a single copy. On the DP-203 exam, this question tests your understanding of HTAP technologies for a single copy of data, often appearing as a scenario where you must balance operational and analytical workloads without data duplication. A common trap is confusing PolyBase’s external querying with native HTAP; remember that only Cosmos DB with analytical store provides true single-copy HTAP. Memory tip: “COSMOS = Copy One Store, Multiple Operations Simultaneously.”
DP-203 Design and implement data storage 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. 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 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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure SQL Database with PolyBase
Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB and Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP) enable hybrid transactional/analytical processing by automatically replicating operational data into a column-oriented analytical store, allowing you to run near-real-time analytical queries on the same copy of data without impacting transactional performance. PolyBase in Azure SQL Database allows querying external data sources (like Azure Blob Storage or Hadoop) using T-SQL, but it does not support both operational and analytical workloads on a single copy of data—it is primarily for data virtualization and loading.
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 SQL Database with materialized views
Why it's wrong here
Materialized views improve performance but do not enable HTAP.
✗
Azure SQL Database with change data capture (CDC)
Why it's wrong here
CDC is for replication, not HTAP.
✓
Azure SQL Database with PolyBase
Why this is correct
PolyBase allows querying external data sources, enabling hybrid workloads.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB
Why this is correct
Synapse Link enables near real-time analytics on Cosmos DB operational data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP)
Why this is correct
Analytical store supports both operational and analytical workloads.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse PolyBase's ability to query external data with the concept of supporting both operational and analytical workloads on a single copy of data, but PolyBase is a data virtualization tool, not an HTAP solution that maintains a single copy for both workloads.
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
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 DP-203 question in full detail.
Design and implement data storage — This question tests Design and implement data storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure SQL Database with PolyBase — Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB and Azure Cosmos DB with analytical store (HTAP) enable hybrid transactional/analytical processing by automatically replicating operational data into a column-oriented analytical store, allowing you to run near-real-time analytical queries on the same copy of data without impacting transactional performance. PolyBase in Azure SQL Database allows querying external data sources (like Azure Blob Storage or Hadoop) using T-SQL, but it does not support both operational and analytical workloads on a single copy of data—it is primarily for data virtualization and loading.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 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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Question Discussion
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