DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
You are a database administrator for a manufacturing company that uses Azure SQL Database. The company wants to automate the deployment of database schema changes across multiple databases in an elastic pool. You need to implement a solution that tracks which scripts have been applied and ensures they are applied only once per database. Which two actions should you perform? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is overlooking the need for idempotency; without a version table, the script would run every time the job executes, potentially causing errors or duplicate changes.
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
✓
Define a target group in the elastic job that includes all databases in the elastic pool.
Elastic jobs with a target group that includes all databases in the pool, combined with a T-SQL step that checks a version table, provide a robust solution for one-time schema deployment. The target group ensures all databases are covered, and the version check ensures idempotency. This leverages native Azure SQL Database automation and avoids external orchestration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Define a target group in the elastic job that includes all databases in the elastic pool.
Why this is correct
A target group defines the set of databases against which the job runs. By including all databases in the elastic pool, the job automatically applies the script to each database. This, combined with the version check, ensures the script is applied only once per database. Target groups can be dynamically populated based on server or pool membership, simplifying maintenance.
- ✓
Create an elastic job with a T-SQL step that checks a version table in each database before applying the script.
Why this is correct
Embedding logic in the T-SQL step to check a version table ensures that each database applies the script only once. The version table records which scripts have been executed, and the job step conditionally runs the script if the version is not present. This is a common pattern for idempotent deployments across many databases using elastic jobs.
- ✗
Use Azure Automation runbooks to deploy the scripts to each database individually.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Automation runbooks can deploy scripts, but they do not provide built-in tracking of which scripts have been applied per database. You would need to implement custom logic, increasing complexity. Elastic jobs with a version table are more integrated with Azure SQL Database and provide a simpler way to manage one-time application across many databases. Runbooks also require managing credentials and schedules separately.
- ✗
Configure the elastic job to run on a schedule that executes every minute to ensure quick deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Running the job every minute is unnecessary and could cause excessive load. The requirement is to apply scripts once per database, not to deploy quickly. A version table handles idempotency, so the schedule can be less frequent, such as daily or on-demand. High-frequency schedules increase resource consumption and may lead to job execution conflicts.
- ✗
Use SQL Server Agent on the logical server to execute the scripts across all databases.
Why it's wrong here
SQL Server Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database. It is a feature of SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance. Therefore, this option is not feasible. Elastic jobs are the correct automation mechanism for Azure SQL Database. Attempting to use SQL Server Agent would require a different platform and would not meet the requirement using the current service.
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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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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