The correct answer is that real-time sensor readings represent an OLTP workload, while historical daily summaries represent an OLAP workload. This distinction hinges on the fundamental difference in data processing patterns: OLTP (Online Transactional Processing) handles high-frequency, small-scale operations like inserts and point lookups for current state monitoring, whereas OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) manages large-scale aggregations and complex queries over historical data for trend analysis. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to classify workloads based on their operational characteristics—a common scenario where transactional data is often confused with analytical data. A typical trap is assuming all sensor data is analytical because it seems “big,” but remember that real-time monitoring requires immediate, row-level transactions. For a quick memory tip, think “OLTP = lots of tiny transactions” and “OLAP = heavy analysis on big, old data.”
DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
A manufacturing company stores two types of data: (1) real-time sensor readings from production machines used to monitor current machine status, and (2) historical daily production summaries used by managers to identify trends over months. Which statement accurately describes these workloads?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Sensor readings are an OLTP workload; daily summaries are an OLAP workload.
Option B is correct because real-time sensor readings involve frequent, small inserts and point lookups (typical of an OLTP workload), while historical daily summaries are aggregated data used for trend analysis over months (typical of an OLAP workload). OLTP systems handle high-volume transactional operations, whereas OLAP systems support complex queries and aggregations on large historical datasets.
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.
✗
Sensor readings are an OLAP workload; daily summaries are an OLTP workload.
Why it's wrong here
OLAP is for analytics on large datasets, not for high-frequency transactional inserts.
✓
Sensor readings are an OLTP workload; daily summaries are an OLAP workload.
Why this is correct
Sensor readings are frequent transactions (OLTP), daily summaries are analytical (OLAP).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Sensor readings are a NoSQL workload; daily summaries are a relational workload.
Why it's wrong here
The workload type depends on the access pattern, not necessarily the data store technology.
✗
Sensor readings are a batch workload; daily summaries are a real-time workload.
Why it's wrong here
Sensor readings are real-time; daily summaries are batch.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse OLTP with real-time and OLAP with batch, but OLTP can be real-time (e.g., sensor inserts) and OLAP can be batch (e.g., daily summaries), so the key distinction is transactional vs. analytical processing, not timing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OLTP workloads typically involve ACID transactions with high concurrency and low latency, often using row-oriented storage (e.g., SQL Server, PostgreSQL). OLAP workloads use columnar storage (e.g., Azure Synapse, SQL Server Analysis Services) to optimize aggregations and scans over large volumes of data. In this scenario, sensor readings would be ingested via a streaming service like Azure IoT Hub or Event Hubs, while daily summaries would be generated by batch processing (e.g., Azure Data Factory or Spark) and stored in a data warehouse for analytical queries.
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-900 question in full detail.
Describe core data concepts — This question tests Describe core data concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Sensor readings are an OLTP workload; daily summaries are an OLAP workload. — Option B is correct because real-time sensor readings involve frequent, small inserts and point lookups (typical of an OLTP workload), while historical daily summaries are aggregated data used for trend analysis over months (typical of an OLAP workload). OLTP systems handle high-volume transactional operations, whereas OLAP systems support complex queries and aggregations on large historical datasets.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 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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Question Discussion
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