Question 78 of 982

Describe core data concepts →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is a relational database, as it is specifically designed to handle transactional records with a fixed schema while enforcing referential integrity through foreign key constraints. This makes it the ideal choice for financial data where each record has a consistent set of attributes like TransactionID, Amount, Date, and AccountID, and where complex queries using JOINs and aggregations are required for auditing and reporting. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of when to choose a relational store over NoSQL options; a common trap is selecting a non-relational database for transactional data, but remember that ACID compliance and structured schemas are the hallmarks of relational systems like Azure SQL Database. A simple memory tip: if your data has fixed columns and needs to link tables with foreign keys, think “relational” for reliable transactions.

DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question

This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. 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.

A financial company needs to store transactional records where each record has a fixed set of attributes (TransactionID, Amount, Date, AccountID). The data must support complex queries and enforce referential integrity. Which type of data store is most appropriate?

Question 1easymultiple choice

Full question →

A
Key-value store
Why wrong: Key-value stores are optimized for simple lookups by a single key and do not support complex queries or referential integrity.
B
Document database
Why wrong: Document databases are flexible and schema-less, suitable for semi-structured data, but typically do not enforce referential integrity across collections.
C
Relational database
Relational databases store data in tables with predefined schemas, support SQL for complex queries, and enforce referential integrity via foreign keys, making them ideal for transactional data.
D
Graph database
Why wrong: Graph databases excel at modeling relationships between entities, but they are not the best fit for simple transactional records that require strong consistency and complex SQL queries.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Relational database

A relational database (option C) is the most appropriate choice because transactional records with a fixed schema and the need for referential integrity (e.g., ensuring AccountID references a valid account) are best handled by a structured, ACID-compliant system like Azure SQL Database or SQL Server. Relational databases enforce constraints such as foreign keys and support complex queries using JOINs and aggregations, which are essential for financial reporting and auditing.

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.

✗
Key-value store
Why it's wrong here
Key-value stores are optimized for simple lookups by a single key and do not support complex queries or referential integrity.
✗
Document database
Why it's wrong here
Document databases are flexible and schema-less, suitable for semi-structured data, but typically do not enforce referential integrity across collections.
✓
Relational database
Why this is correct
Relational databases store data in tables with predefined schemas, support SQL for complex queries, and enforce referential integrity via foreign keys, making them ideal for transactional data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Graph database
Why it's wrong here
Graph databases excel at modeling relationships between entities, but they are not the best fit for simple transactional records that require strong consistency and complex SQL queries.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'fixed schema' with 'document databases,' assuming JSON documents can enforce structure, but document databases do not enforce schema or referential integrity at the database level, which is a key requirement for transactional records.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Under the hood, relational databases use B-tree indexes for efficient querying and enforce referential integrity via foreign key constraints that trigger cascading updates or deletes, ensuring data consistency. In a real-world scenario, a financial company might use Azure SQL Database with a schema that includes a CHECK constraint on Amount (e.g., > 0) and a foreign key from Transaction to Account, preventing orphaned records. This level of data integrity is critical for audit trails and regulatory compliance, which non-relational stores cannot guarantee without application-level logic.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this DP-900 question test?

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: Relational database — A relational database (option C) is the most appropriate choice because transactional records with a fixed schema and the need for referential integrity (e.g., ensuring AccountID references a valid account) are best handled by a structured, ACID-compliant system like Azure SQL Database or SQL Server. Relational databases enforce constraints such as foreign keys and support complex queries using JOINs and aggregations, which are essential for financial reporting and auditing.

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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