DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
A company is migrating an on-premises SQL Server database to Azure SQL Database. The database currently uses SQL Server Agent jobs for nightly ETL processes. Which Azure service should the company use to replace these jobs?
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 in Azure SQL Database can replace SQL Server Agent jobs for scheduling T-SQL scripts across multiple databases. Option A is incorrect because Azure Automation is not designed for T-SQL job scheduling; it is used for automating Azure management tasks. Option B is incorrect because Azure Logic Apps is for workflow automation and integration, not for direct T-SQL job scheduling. Option D is incorrect because Azure Data Factory is primarily for data integration and orchestration, not for scheduling ad-hoc T-SQL jobs.
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 Automation
Why it's wrong here
Azure Automation executes PowerShell runbooks and Desired State Configuration in an isolated sandbox, but it does not natively execute T-SQL jobs within an Azure SQL Database. Interacting with SQL requires custom PowerShell modules and explicit SQL commands, adding complexity while missing the built-in scheduling, database-targeting, and T-SQL-specific monitoring that Elastic Database Jobs provides. For replacing SQL Server Agent, Azure Automation is an indirect, more complex solution that lacks the direct database-scoped job control needed for frequent administrative scripts.
- ✗
Azure Logic Apps
Why it's wrong here
Azure Logic Apps is a workflow and integration service that connects applications, data sources, and APIs through hundreds of connectors, not a database job scheduler. Although a Logic App could trigger a T-SQL command via the SQL Server connector, it lacks the native job management, built-in scheduling, and retry semantics that SQL Server Agent offers. Its event-driven, API-centric model makes it unsuitable for replacing recurring, database-internal T-SQL jobs during a migration.
- ✓
Elastic Database Jobs
Why this is correct
Elastic Database Jobs is the native Azure SQL Database service for scheduling T-SQL scripts and stored procedures across one or many databases, directly replacing the SQL Server Agent functionality that is absent in Azure SQL Database. It enables recurring administrative tasks such as index maintenance, data consistency checks, and automated batch operations, with job definitions and history stored in a dedicated job agent database. This provides a secure, scalable, and database-scoped alternative for executing T-SQL logic without external orchestration.
- ✗
Azure Data Factory
Why it's wrong here
Azure Data Factory is Microsoft's cloud-based ETL and data integration service, designed for orchestrating complex data movement and transformation pipelines across disparate data sources. It is tempting because the scenario involves ETL processes. However, for directly replacing SQL Server Agent jobs that primarily schedule T-SQL logic and stored procedures *within* an Azure SQL Database, Data Factory is not the native or most direct replacement. The requirement is for a job scheduler to execute existing database-internal logic, a task typically handled by Elastic Jobs within Azure SQL Database or Azure SQL Managed Instance.
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Data Roles and Core Concepts
Key term
Azure Data Factory
Azure Data Factory is a cloud-based data integration service that lets you create, schedule, and orchestrate data pipelines to move and transform data from various sources to destinations.
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
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This DP-900 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-900 exam.