The correct answer is that deploying this ARM template will create a new empty Azure SQL Database named 'db2' with the specified service objective. This outcome occurs because the `createMode` property is set to `Default`, which instructs Azure to provision a fresh database from scratch, ignoring any `sourceDatabaseId` or `restorePointInTime` properties that may be present in the template. For the `createMode` to trigger a copy, restore, or replica, it must be explicitly set to `Copy`, `PointInTimeRestore`, or `Secondary` respectively; otherwise, the `Default` mode always produces an independent, empty database. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this concept tests your understanding of ARM template `createMode` values and how they govern database creation behavior—a common trap is assuming that including a `sourceDatabaseId` automatically creates a copy, but without the correct `createMode` it is simply ignored. Remember the memory tip: "Default means fresh, not fetch"—if the mode says Default, the source ID is just decoration.
DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform resources. 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.
You are reviewing an ARM template snippet for creating a new Azure SQL Database. The template uses the above JSON to create a database named 'db2' in resource group 'rg1'. The source database 'db1' is in the same server 'server1' and is currently active. What will be the result of deploying this template?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It will create a new empty database with the specified service objective.
The ARM template snippet specifies `createMode: Default` and a `requestedServiceObjectiveName`, but does not include a `sourceDatabaseId` or `restorePointInTime` property. With `createMode: Default`, Azure SQL Database creates a new empty database using the specified service objective, regardless of the presence of a `sourceDatabaseId` in the template (which is ignored when `createMode` is not set to `Copy`, `PointInTimeRestore`, or `Secondary`). Therefore, the deployment succeeds and creates a new empty database named 'db2' with the defined performance tier.
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 deployment will fail because sourceDatabaseId is specified but not used.
Why it's wrong here
The deployment will succeed; sourceDatabaseId is simply ignored.
✗
It will create a copy of db1 in the same server.
Why it's wrong here
To create a copy, createMode should be 'Copy'.
✓
It will create a new empty database with the specified service objective.
Why this is correct
Default createMode creates an empty database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It will perform a point-in-time restore of db1 to the current time.
Why it's wrong here
Point-in-time restore requires createMode 'PointInTimeRestore' and a restorePointInTime.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume specifying a `sourceDatabaseId` automatically triggers a copy or restore operation, but Azure SQL Database only uses that property when the `createMode` is explicitly set to `Copy`, `PointInTimeRestore`, or `Secondary`; otherwise, it is silently ignored.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `createMode` property in the ARM template for Azure SQL Database determines the operation: `Default` creates a new empty database, `Copy` clones the source, `PointInTimeRestore` recovers to a specific time, and `Secondary` creates a geo-replica. When `createMode` is omitted or set to `Default`, the `sourceDatabaseId` property is ignored entirely, even if present. This behavior is consistent with the Azure SQL Database REST API (2014-04-01-preview and later), where the `createMode` field dictates which other properties are evaluated.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It will create a new empty database with the specified service objective. — The ARM template snippet specifies `createMode: Default` and a `requestedServiceObjectiveName`, but does not include a `sourceDatabaseId` or `restorePointInTime` property. With `createMode: Default`, Azure SQL Database creates a new empty database using the specified service objective, regardless of the presence of a `sourceDatabaseId` in the template (which is ignored when `createMode` is not set to `Copy`, `PointInTimeRestore`, or `Secondary`). Therefore, the deployment succeeds and creates a new empty database named 'db2' with the defined performance tier.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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