The answer is that the external tables were created using OPENROWSET rather than CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE, so they are not cataloged in sys.external_tables. In Azure Synapse Analytics serverless SQL, sys.external_tables only tracks metadata for objects explicitly defined with the CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE statement, which registers the table schema and location in the system catalog. OPENROWSET, by contrast, performs ad-hoc data access using a direct query path without creating any persistent metadata, so those queries bypass sys.external_tables entirely. On the DP-203 exam, this distinction tests your understanding of how serverless SQL pool separates metadata-driven objects from dynamic data access methods—a common trap where candidates assume any external data reference counts as an external table. Remember the memory tip: if you didn't CREATE it, you can't SELECT it from sys.external_tables; OPENROWSET is a query, not a table.
DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of develop data processing. 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.
Exhibit
{
"name": "List all external tables in a serverless SQL pool",
"query": "SELECT name, location FROM sys.external_tables WHERE type = 'HADOOP'"
}
Refer to the exhibit. You are querying the sys.external_tables view in an Azure Synapse Analytics serverless SQL pool. The query returns no rows, but you know that external tables have been created. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The external tables were created using OPENROWSET, not CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE, so they do not appear in sys.external_tables.
In Azure Synapse Analytics serverless SQL pool, external tables are created using the CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE statement, and they are listed in the sys.external_tables view. However, if you query data directly via OPENROWSET without creating an external table, those ad-hoc queries do not register any metadata in sys.external_tables. Since the question states that external tables have been created but the view returns no rows, the most likely reason is that the tables were actually created using OPENROWSET, not CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE, so they are not cataloged in the system view.
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.
✗
The external tables are using PolyBase, which is not supported in serverless SQL pool.
Why it's wrong here
PolyBase is not required for external tables in serverless SQL pool.
✗
Serverless SQL pool does not support external tables; you must use a dedicated SQL pool.
Why it's wrong here
Serverless SQL pool does support external tables.
✓
The external tables were created using OPENROWSET, not CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE, so they do not appear in sys.external_tables.
Why this is correct
OPENROWSET queries do not create external table metadata; they are ad-hoc queries.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The user does not have permission to view the sys.external_tables view.
Why it's wrong here
Permission issues would typically result in an error, not an empty result set.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume any external data access creates a catalog entry, but the exam tests the specific difference between DDL-based external tables and ad-hoc OPENROWSET queries in serverless SQL pool.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The sys.external_tables view in serverless SQL pool only contains metadata for objects created with the CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE DDL statement. OPENROWSET is a table-valued function that reads data directly from external sources (e.g., Azure Data Lake Storage) without persisting any schema or location in the system catalog. This distinction is critical for understanding how serverless SQL pool manages external data access: CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE provides reusable, schema-bound objects, while OPENROWSET is for ad-hoc, schema-on-read queries.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-203 question in full detail.
Develop data processing — This question tests Develop data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The external tables were created using OPENROWSET, not CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE, so they do not appear in sys.external_tables. — In Azure Synapse Analytics serverless SQL pool, external tables are created using the CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE statement, and they are listed in the sys.external_tables view. However, if you query data directly via OPENROWSET without creating an external table, those ad-hoc queries do not register any metadata in sys.external_tables. Since the question states that external tables have been created but the view returns no rows, the most likely reason is that the tables were actually created using OPENROWSET, not CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE, so they are not cataloged in the system view.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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