The answer is Elastic Database Jobs, the correct Azure service for running T-SQL scripts on a recurring schedule against Azure SQL Database. This service is purpose-built for the PaaS environment, allowing you to automate tasks like index maintenance across multiple databases with built-in retry logic, scheduling, and job history tracking. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of the critical limitation that SQL Server Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database—only in SQL Server on-premises or Azure SQL Managed Instance—making Elastic Database Jobs the only viable scheduler for this fully managed scenario. A common trap is assuming SQL Server Agent works everywhere, but remember: in Azure SQL Database, you must use Elastic Database Jobs for any recurring T-SQL execution. Memory tip: think "Elastic for Elastic"—Azure SQL Database is elastic, so its job scheduler is Elastic Database Jobs.
DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage automation of tasks. 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 tasked with automating index maintenance for an Azure SQL Database. Which Azure service should you use to run T-SQL scripts on a recurring schedule?
Why wrong: SQL Server Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database; it is only available in SQL Server on-premises or Azure SQL Managed Instance.
B
Elastic Database Jobs
Elastic Database Jobs are specifically designed to run T-SQL scripts on a schedule across one or more Azure SQL databases.
C
Azure Automation Runbook
Why wrong: Automation runbooks run PowerShell or Python scripts, not T-SQL directly, unless you use Invoke-SqlCmd which adds complexity.
D
Azure Logic Apps
Why wrong: Logic Apps can execute T-SQL via the SQL connector, but it is more of an integration tool and not the standard for scheduled database maintenance.
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 (B) is the correct service for automating T-SQL script execution across Azure SQL Database on a recurring schedule. It is specifically designed for Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance, providing a job scheduler that can run T-SQL scripts against multiple databases, handle retries, and manage job history. SQL Server Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database (only in SQL Server on-premises or Azure SQL Managed Instance), making Elastic Database Jobs the appropriate choice for this PaaS scenario.
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.
✗
SQL Server Agent
Why it's wrong here
SQL Server Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database; it is only available in SQL Server on-premises or Azure SQL Managed Instance.
✓
Elastic Database Jobs
Why this is correct
Elastic Database Jobs are specifically designed to run T-SQL scripts on a schedule across one or more Azure SQL databases.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Automation Runbook
Why it's wrong here
Automation runbooks run PowerShell or Python scripts, not T-SQL directly, unless you use Invoke-SqlCmd which adds complexity.
✗
Azure Logic Apps
Why it's wrong here
Logic Apps can execute T-SQL via the SQL connector, but it is more of an integration tool and not the standard for scheduled database maintenance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse SQL Server Agent (available in Azure SQL Managed Instance) with Azure SQL Database (single database/elastic pool), mistakenly assuming Agent is available for all Azure SQL offerings, when in fact Elastic Database Jobs is the correct scheduler for the PaaS Azure SQL Database service.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Elastic Database Jobs uses a control database (job database) to store job definitions, schedules, and execution history. Under the hood, it leverages the sp_add_job, sp_add_jobstep, and sp_add_schedule stored procedures in the job database to manage recurring T-SQL execution. A common real-world scenario is rebuilding or reorganizing indexes across hundreds of sharded databases in an elastic pool, where Elastic Database Jobs can target all databases in a pool or a custom collection, automatically handling failures and retries.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Configure and manage automation of tasks — This question tests Configure and manage automation of tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Elastic Database Jobs — Elastic Database Jobs (B) is the correct service for automating T-SQL script execution across Azure SQL Database on a recurring schedule. It is specifically designed for Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance, providing a job scheduler that can run T-SQL scripts against multiple databases, handle retries, and manage job history. SQL Server Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database (only in SQL Server on-premises or Azure SQL Managed Instance), making Elastic Database Jobs the appropriate choice for this PaaS scenario.
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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