DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
You are a database administrator for a logistics company that uses Azure SQL Managed Instance. The instance hosts a database that tracks shipments. You need to automate the process of updating statistics for all tables in the database every night. The update should only include tables that have had more than 10% of rows modified since the last statistics update. The automation must be efficient and not rebuild statistics unnecessarily. Additionally, the solution should be self-contained within the Managed Instance and not rely on external services. What should you do?
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
✓
Create a SQL Agent job with a T-SQL script that uses sys.dm_db_stats_properties to identify tables needing statistics updates based on modification counters, then executes UPDATE STATISTICS only on those tables.
SQL Agent is available on Azure SQL Managed Instance, and you can create a T-SQL script that uses sys.dm_db_stats_properties to check modification counters and then executes UPDATE STATISTICS only on tables that have had more than 10% of rows modified. This meets the efficiency requirement without rebuilding statistics unnecessarily. Option B is incorrect because automatic tuning does not update statistics based on modification counters; it manages indexes and query plan issues. Option C is incorrect because Azure Automation requires external dependencies like a hybrid worker and is not self-contained within the Managed Instance. Option D is incorrect because Elastic Database Jobs are not available for Azure SQL Managed Instance; they are for Azure SQL Database.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a SQL Agent job with a T-SQL script that uses sys.dm_db_stats_properties to identify tables needing statistics updates based on modification counters, then executes UPDATE STATISTICS only on those tables.
Why this is correct
SQL Agent is available and this approach is efficient.
- ✗
Enable automatic tuning for the database to automatically update statistics.
Why it's wrong here
Automatic tuning does not update statistics; it manages indexes and query plans.
- ✗
Use Azure Automation with a PowerShell runbook that connects to the instance and runs sp_updatestats.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Automation requires hybrid worker and is less efficient than SQL Agent.
- ✗
Use Elastic Database Jobs to schedule a T-SQL script that updates all statistics unconditionally.
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Database Jobs is not available for Managed Instance.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance is a fully managed cloud database service that gives you nearly all the features of Microsoft SQL Server on your own server, without you having to manage the hardware or operating system.
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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-300 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-300 exam.