DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. The pipeline executes a Spark job definition that reads from the input path and writes to the output path. The job fails with an error indicating that the output path already exists. The job is configured with default behavior. What configuration change should you make to allow the job to overwrite the existing output?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume Spark's 'overwrite' save mode can be set via pipeline properties or activity settings, but in Synapse pipelines, the Spark job definition's code must be modified to include the save mode, and the pipeline itself does not expose such a property for batch jobs.
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
✓
Add a Delete activity before the Spark job to delete the output folder if it exists.
The default behavior of Spark in Azure Synapse Analytics is to fail if the output path already exists. By adding a Delete activity before the Spark job, you explicitly remove the existing folder, allowing the subsequent Spark job to write without conflict. This approach works with any save mode, including the default 'error' mode, and is a common pattern in Synapse pipelines for idempotent data processing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Modify the Spark job definition to include 'overwrite' save mode.
Why it's wrong here
While modifying the job definition is a valid approach, the question asks for a pipeline configuration change. However, this option is also plausible but not a pipeline change.
- ✗
Change the output path in the arguments to a non-existing folder.
Why it's wrong here
This would avoid the error but not overwrite the existing data as intended.
- ✗
Set the pipeline property 'outputMode' to 'overwrite' on the SynapseSparkJob activity.
Why it's wrong here
There is no such property as 'outputMode' on the SynapseSparkJob activity.
- ✓
Add a Delete activity before the Spark job to delete the output folder if it exists.
Why this is correct
Using a Delete activity in the pipeline to remove the existing output folder before running the Spark job ensures the job can write without conflict.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 760 original DP-203 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-203 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 DP-203 exam.