DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
You are a database administrator for a financial services company that uses Azure SQL Database. The company requires that all administrative tasks, such as index maintenance and statistics updates, be automated and run on a schedule. You need to implement a solution that uses T-SQL scripts and runs them on a schedule without requiring an external server. What should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that SQL Server Agent is available in Azure SQL Database, when it is only supported in SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
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
✓
Elastic Database jobs
Elastic Database jobs are a native Azure SQL Database feature that enables scheduling and execution of T-SQL scripts across databases. They require no external compute or agent, simplifying automation of routine administrative tasks. Other options either are not available in Azure SQL Database or require additional infrastructure and code, making them less suitable for this scenario.
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 Functions with timer trigger
Why it's wrong here
Azure Functions can run code on a schedule using a timer trigger, and you could use it to execute T-SQL scripts. However, this requires writing and maintaining function code, managing dependencies, and handling connections. It is not a built-in database feature and adds complexity compared to Elastic Database jobs, which are purpose-built for scheduled T-SQL execution.
- ✓
Elastic Database jobs
Why this is correct
Elastic Database jobs in Azure SQL Database allow you to run T-SQL scripts against a target group of databases on a schedule. They are a built-in feature of Azure SQL Database and do not require an external server or agent. This makes them ideal for automating administrative tasks like index maintenance and statistics updates across one or many databases.
- ✗
SQL Server Agent
Why it's wrong here
SQL Server Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database. It is a component of SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance. Azure SQL Database does not support running SQL Server Agent jobs, so you cannot use it to schedule T-SQL scripts directly within the database service. You would need an alternative like Elastic Database jobs.
- ✗
Azure Automation runbooks
Why it's wrong here
Azure Automation runbooks can run PowerShell or Python scripts to manage Azure resources, but they are not designed to execute T-SQL scripts directly against Azure SQL Database without additional setup, such as using the SqlServer module and credentials. They are more suited for orchestration and management tasks, not for running T-SQL on a schedule as a native database feature.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Configuring Automation Tasks for Database Administration
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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