DP-203 HTAP Practice Question
You are designing a data storage solution that must support both operational and analytical workloads using a single copy of data. Which TWO technologies should you consider?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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 materialized views (A) improves query performance but does not enable HTAP on a single copy; change data capture (B) tracks changes but is not HTAP; and PolyBase (C) is a data virtualization tool that queries external data sources, not an in-database HTAP solution. Therefore, D and E are correct.
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.
- ✓
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.
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