DP-900 Practice Question: Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure
A development team needs to store semi-structured telemetry data in Azure. They require a schema-less store that supports automatic indexing and can be queried using a SQL-like syntax. Which Azure service should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any storage service can handle semi-structured data with SQL-like queries, when only Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL provides automatic indexing and a SQL query language natively.
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
✓
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL is the best choice because it natively stores JSON documents without requiring a fixed schema, automatically indexes all properties, and supports a familiar SQL-like query language. These features directly address the need for a schema-less store with automatic indexing and SQL-like querying for semi-structured telemetry data.
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 Table Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Table Storage is a key-attribute store that can hold semi-structured data, but it does not support a SQL-like query language for complex queries. It also does not automatically index all attributes; only the partition key and row key are indexed. Querying non-key attributes requires full table scans, which is inefficient for telemetry analysis.
- ✗
Azure Blob Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Blob Storage is an object store designed for unstructured data like files, images, and videos. It does not provide a query engine or indexing for semi-structured data. While you can store JSON blobs, you cannot query them with SQL-like syntax without additional services like Azure Synapse or Azure Search, making it a poor fit for this requirement.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database is a relational database that requires a predefined schema with tables, columns, and data types. It is not schema-less and does not natively store semi-structured JSON without using JSON functions within a relational structure. It also does not automatically index all properties, making it unsuitable for flexible telemetry data.
- ✓
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL
Why this is correct
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL is a schema-agnostic, globally distributed database that stores JSON documents. It automatically indexes all properties and supports a SQL-like query language. This makes it ideal for semi-structured telemetry data that may evolve over time, and it provides low-latency reads and writes at scale.
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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.
Key term
Azure Cosmos DB
Azure Cosmos DB is a fully managed, globally distributed NoSQL database service that offers fast reads and writes anywhere in the world with automatic scaling and multiple consistency models.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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