Question 688 of 982

Identify considerations for relational data on Azure →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is temporal tables, specifically system-versioned temporal tables in Azure SQL Database. This feature is the correct choice because it automatically tracks full row history for every change, including updates to the 'OrderStatus' column, by maintaining a paired history table behind the scenes. Unlike custom triggers or manual history tables, temporal tables allow you to query both the current state and historical states of your data using simple T-SQL extensions like FOR SYSTEM_TIME, making it the ideal solution for tracking changes without additional development overhead. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of built-in Azure SQL Database features for data auditing and time-based analysis, often appearing as a scenario where you must distinguish temporal tables from alternatives like Change Tracking or Change Data Capture. A common trap is confusing temporal tables with Change Tracking, but remember: temporal tables store full row versions for point-in-time queries, while Change Tracking only flags that a row changed. Memory tip: think "time travel" for temporal—you can query the data as it existed at any moment in the past.

DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure

This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of identify considerations for relational data on azure. 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 company uses Azure SQL Database to store customer order data. They need to automatically track changes to the 'OrderStatus' column in the 'Orders' table. They want to be able to query the current status and also easily retrieve historical status changes for a given order without writing custom triggers or history tables. Which feature should they enable?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
Change Data Capture (CDC)
Why wrong: CDC tracks inserts, updates, and deletes but requires a custom destination (e.g., another table or service) to store the change data. It does not automatically provide in-table history queries like temporal tables.
B
Temporal tables
Temporal tables are a built-in feature that automatically keeps a full history of changes within the same table using period columns. You can query both the current state and historical states without custom logic.
C
Automatic tuning
Why wrong: Automatic tuning helps optimize query performance by suggesting or applying index changes and plan corrections, but it does not track historical changes to data.
D
Geo-replication
Why wrong: Geo-replication creates readable secondary replicas in another region for disaster recovery and read scale-out, but it does not provide change tracking or history capabilities.

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

✓

Temporal tables

Temporal tables (system-versioned) automatically track full row history, including changes to the 'OrderStatus' column, by maintaining a paired history table. This allows querying both current and historical states with simple T-SQL clauses like FOR SYSTEM_TIME, without custom triggers or manual history tables.

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.

✗
Change Data Capture (CDC)
Why it's wrong here
CDC tracks inserts, updates, and deletes but requires a custom destination (e.g., another table or service) to store the change data. It does not automatically provide in-table history queries like temporal tables.
✓
Temporal tables
Why this is correct
Temporal tables are a built-in feature that automatically keeps a full history of changes within the same table using period columns. You can query both the current state and historical states without custom logic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Automatic tuning
Why it's wrong here
Automatic tuning helps optimize query performance by suggesting or applying index changes and plan corrections, but it does not track historical changes to data.
✗
Geo-replication
Why it's wrong here
Geo-replication creates readable secondary replicas in another region for disaster recovery and read scale-out, but it does not provide change tracking or history capabilities.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is confusing Change Data Capture (CDC) with temporal tables, as both involve change tracking, but CDC is for streaming changes to downstream systems, not for querying historical row states per key with point-in-time accuracy.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

System-versioned temporal tables use two datetime2 columns (SysStartTime, SysEndTime) to define each row's validity period; the history table is automatically managed by the engine. Queries use FOR SYSTEM_TIME AS OF <datetime> to retrieve the exact row state at any past moment, enabling audit trails without application overhead. A real-world scenario is an e-commerce system needing to prove when an order status changed for compliance, where temporal tables provide built-in, reliable history without custom logging.

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?

Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — This question tests Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Temporal tables — Temporal tables (system-versioned) automatically track full row history, including changes to the 'OrderStatus' column, by maintaining a paired history table. This allows querying both current and historical states with simple T-SQL clauses like FOR SYSTEM_TIME, without custom triggers or manual history tables.

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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