DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
You need to orchestrate a data pipeline that includes a Python script and a Data Flow in Azure Synapse Analytics. The Python script must run before the Data Flow. Which activity should you use to run the Python script?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse a Notebook activity with a Web activity or a Stored Procedure activity, thinking they can execute arbitrary code, but only the Notebook activity supports Python execution natively in Synapse pipelines.
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
✓
Notebook activity configured to use a Python kernel
A Notebook activity in Azure Synapse Analytics can be configured to use a Python kernel, allowing you to run a Python script directly within the pipeline. This is the correct choice because the requirement is to execute a Python script before a Data Flow, and the Notebook activity supports Python execution natively in Synapse pipelines.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Notebook activity configured to use a Python kernel
Why this is correct
A Notebook activity runs the Python script in a Spark pool with a Python kernel, and its success output can be wired as the dependency that gates the subsequent Data Flow activity, satisfying the required run-before ordering.
- ✗
Web activity
Why it's wrong here
A Web activity issues HTTP calls to external endpoints; it does not execute a Python script locally within the pipeline. It is tempting because it can trigger an Azure Function or Databricks job running Python, and would be correct when the script is hosted behind a callable endpoint.
- ✗
Stored Procedure activity
Why it's wrong here
A Stored Procedure activity executes T-SQL against a SQL pool or database, so it cannot run a Python script. It is tempting because it orchestrates server-side logic in Synapse pipelines, and would be correct for invoking a pre-built procedure rather than arbitrary Python code.
- ✗
HDInsight Hive activity
Why it's wrong here
HDInsight Hive activity submits HiveQL jobs to an HDInsight cluster, not Python scripts. It tempts because HDInsight supports Python via streaming, but the activity itself runs Hive queries, making it correct only when the pipeline targets an HDInsight Hive workload.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every DP-203 question from scratch — 509 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or 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.