DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
You are designing a batch processing solution in Azure Synapse Analytics using pipelines. The solution must load data from multiple sources (Azure Blob Storage, Azure SQL Database, and REST API) into a dedicated SQL pool. After loading, you need to run a stored procedure to aggregate the data. Which two activities should you include in the pipeline? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Copy activity
The Copy activity (B) is correct because it is the native Azure Synapse Analytics/Data Factory pipeline activity designed to ingest data from disparate sources such as Azure Blob Storage, Azure SQL Database, and REST API connectors into a dedicated SQL pool sink, handling schema mapping and parallel loading. The Stored procedure activity (D) is correct because it invokes a stored procedure in the dedicated SQL pool after the load completes, which is exactly what is needed to run the aggregation logic on the loaded data. The Execute Pipeline activity (A) only calls another pipeline and does not itself move or transform data, so it does not satisfy the load or aggregation requirement. The Azure Function activity (C) runs custom code in an Azure Function, which is unnecessary here since built-in Copy and Stored procedure activities cover the scenario. The Data Flow activity (E) performs code-free transformations in a Spark-based execution engine, but the requirement is to load data and then aggregate via a stored procedure, not to transform data in a mapping data flow.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Execute Pipeline activity
Why it's wrong here
Execute Pipeline activity invokes a separate pipeline, so it neither ingests from the three sources nor runs the aggregation stored procedure within this pipeline. It is correct for orchestrating reusable child pipelines, such as parameterised ingestion patterns shared across workloads.
- ✓
Copy activity
Why this is correct
The Copy activity moves data from each source (Blob Storage, Azure SQL Database, REST API) into the dedicated SQL pool, satisfying the multi-source ingestion requirement. A subsequent activity then invokes the stored procedure for aggregation.
- ✗
Azure Function activity
Why it's wrong here
This activity runs custom code in an Azure Function. While it could potentially be used to call a stored procedure or load data, it is not the standard way and adds unnecessary complexity. The Copy activity is preferred for loading data, and Stored procedure activity is preferred for executing stored procedures.
- ✓
Stored procedure activity
Why this is correct
The stored procedure activity invokes a stored procedure in Azure Synapse Analytics, running the aggregation logic after the copy activities finish loading data from Blob Storage, Azure SQL Database and the REST API into the dedicated SQL pool.
- ✗
Data Flow activity
Why it's wrong here
A Data Flow activity performs Spark-based transformations, not ingestion from Blob Storage, Azure SQL Database and REST endpoints, nor stored procedure execution. Data Flows suit complex in-pipeline transformations and mappings when the data is already staged.
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This DP-203 question is part of Courseiva's 509-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. 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.