DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
Which TWO Azure services can be used to store relational data?
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 SQL Database
Azure SQL Database (A) is correct because it is a fully managed relational database service built on the Microsoft SQL Server engine, storing data in tables with schemas, primary/foreign keys, and T-SQL query support. Azure Database for PostgreSQL (C) is also correct because it is a managed relational database service based on the open-source PostgreSQL engine, supporting relational tables, ACID transactions, and SQL queries. Azure Cosmos DB (B) is a globally distributed NoSQL database offering multiple non-relational APIs (SQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, Table), so it is not a relational data store. Azure Blob Storage (D) is object storage for unstructured data such as files, images, and backups, not relational tables. Azure Table Storage (E) is a NoSQL key-attribute store for structured non-relational data, lacking relational schema and join capabilities.
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 SQL Database
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database stores relational data in tables with enforced schemas, primary and foreign keys, and full T-SQL querying, satisfying the stem's requirement for a relational store. As a fully managed platform service, it handles patching, backups and high availability, letting you deploy a relational database without managing underlying infrastructure.
- ✗
Azure Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Azure Cosmos DB is a multi-model NoSQL service offering document, key-value, graph and column-family APIs; its SQL API queries JSON, not fixed relational schemas with joins and foreign keys. It suits globally distributed, low-latency NoSQL workloads rather than relational storage.
- ✓
Azure Database for PostgreSQL
Why this is correct
Azure Database for PostgreSQL stores relational data in tables with rows and columns, enforcing schemas, primary keys and foreign keys through SQL. It satisfies the stem's relational requirement as a fully managed PostgreSQL database service, supporting ACID transactions and joins that non-relational stores such as Azure Blob Storage cannot provide.
- ✗
Azure Blob Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Blob Storage stores unstructured objects such as images, videos and backups in containers; it provides no tables, schemas, primary keys or SQL query engine. It suits cheap object storage and static file hosting, not relational data requiring structured rows and relationships.
- ✗
Azure Table Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Table Storage is a NoSQL key-attribute store holding schemaless entities, so it cannot enforce relational schemas, joins or foreign keys. The question asks for services storing relational data, which require tabular structure and SQL querying. Table Storage is the right pick for cheap, high-volume semi-structured data such as device telemetry or session state, not for relational workloads.
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Azure Analysis Services
Key term
Table
A table is a structured collection of data organized into rows and columns, used in databases and spreadsheets to store and manage information efficiently.
Key term
Blob storage
Blob storage is a cloud service for storing large amounts of unstructured data, such as text or binary data, like documents, images, and videos.
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on DP-900
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are valid relational database services in Azure?
medium- A.Azure Data Lake Storage
- ✓ B.Azure SQL Database
- C.Azure Cosmos DB
- D.Azure Cache for Redis
- ✓ E.Azure Database for MySQL
Why B: Azure SQL Database (B) is a fully managed relational database service built on the SQL Server engine, offering T-SQL, relational schemas, and ACID transactions, so it is a valid relational database service in Azure. Azure Database for MySQL (E) is a fully managed relational database service based on the MySQL Community Edition engine, supporting relational tables, SQL queries, and ACID compliance, making it a valid relational database service as well. Azure Data Lake Storage (A) is a scalable object/file storage service for big data analytics, not a relational database engine. Azure Cosmos DB (C) is a globally distributed multi-model NoSQL database (document, key-value, graph, column-family), not a relational database service. Azure Cache for Redis (D) is an in-memory key-value cache/data store, not a relational database service.
Variation 2. Which TWO Azure services can be used to host a relational database that requires native support for JSON data and high availability with automatic failover?
medium- ✓ A.Azure SQL Database
- B.Azure Database for MariaDB
- ✓ C.Azure SQL Managed Instance
- D.Azure Cosmos DB
- E.Azure Database for PostgreSQL
Why A: Azure SQL Database (A) is correct because it is a fully managed relational database engine that natively supports JSON data via the JSON functions (JSON_VALUE, JSON_QUERY, OPENJSON, FOR JSON) and offers high availability with automatic failover through built-in geo-replication, auto-failover groups, and zone-redundant configurations. Azure SQL Managed Instance (C) is also correct because it runs the same SQL Server engine, providing identical native JSON support and built-in high availability with automatic failover (via Always On availability groups managed by the service). Azure Database for MariaDB (B) and Azure Database for PostgreSQL (E) are relational services with some JSON capabilities, but the question targets the Azure SQL family's native JSON support and automatic failover guarantees; MariaDB's JSON is an alias for LONGTEXT and PostgreSQL's JSONB differs from SQL Server's native JSON functions. Azure Cosmos DB (D) is a NoSQL database with JSON documents and automatic failover, but it is not a relational database, so it does not satisfy the 'relational database' requirement.
Variation 3. Which TWO Azure services can be used to host a relational database that is compatible with SQL Server?
medium- ✓ A.Azure SQL Database
- B.Azure Database for PostgreSQL
- C.Azure Cosmos DB
- ✓ D.Azure SQL Managed Instance
- E.Azure Database for MySQL
Why A: Azure SQL Database (A) is correct because it is a fully managed PaaS relational database engine built on the same SQL Server engine, so it is directly compatible with SQL Server T-SQL, tooling, and drivers. Azure SQL Managed Instance (D) is also correct because it runs the SQL Server database engine with near-100% compatibility, including features like SQL Agent, cross-database queries, and CLR, making it a relational SQL Server-compatible service. Azure Database for PostgreSQL (B) is not correct because it is a PostgreSQL-compatible relational service, not SQL Server-compatible. Azure Cosmos DB (C) is not correct because it is a multi-model NoSQL database, not a relational SQL Server-compatible engine. Azure Database for MySQL (E) is not correct because it is a MySQL-compatible relational service, not SQL Server-compatible.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.