DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
Which TWO data storage types are classified as structured data in Azure? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse NoSQL databases like Azure Cosmos DB as structured because they support indexing and querying, but structured data specifically requires a fixed relational schema enforced by the database engine, which Cosmos DB does not mandate.
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 Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance (C) and Azure SQL Database (D) are both correct because they are relational database services built on the SQL Server engine that store data in tables with a fixed schema, defined columns, data types, and relationships enforced by primary/foreign keys, which is the definition of structured data. Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS relational database, while Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near-100% SQL Server compatibility with features like SQL Agent and cross-database queries, but both use the relational (tabular) model. The unmarked options do not belong: Azure Cosmos DB (A) is a multi-model NoSQL service supporting document, key-value, graph, and column-family data, which is typically semi-structured or unstructured; Azure Data Lake Storage (B) is designed for storing raw files of any format (often unstructured or semi-structured) for big data analytics; and Azure Blob Storage (E) is object storage for unstructured data such as images, videos, and documents.
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 Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Cosmos DB is a multi-model NoSQL database storing JSON documents, key-value pairs, graphs and column families — schemaless by design. It is tempting because it does offer a tabular API, but that still lacks the fixed relational schema the stem's structured classification requires, unlike Azure SQL Database.
- ✗
Azure Data Lake Storage
Why it's wrong here
Data Lake Storage holds raw files in any format without enforcing a schema, so it is classified as semi-structured or unstructured. It is tempting because it can store CSV and Parquet files that look tabular, but the service itself imposes no relational schema, unlike Azure SQL Database.
- ✓
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Managed Instance stores data in tables with a fixed relational schema, enforced by primary keys, data types and constraints. This satisfies the stem's requirement for structured data, since rows and columns are predefined and queried with T-SQL, unlike semi-structured or unstructured alternatives.
- ✓
Azure SQL Database
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database stores data in tables with a fixed schema, enforced data types and primary/foreign key relationships, which is the definition of structured data. It satisfies the stem's requirement directly: rows and columns queryable via T-SQL, unlike blob or file storage holding semi-structured or unstructured content.
- ✗
Azure Blob Storage
Why it's wrong here
Blob Storage holds unstructured objects such as images, video and documents; it enforces no schema or relationships. It is tempting because blobs can contain CSV or JSON that appears tabular, but the storage service itself provides no relational structure, unlike Azure SQL Database.
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 Data Lake Storage Gen2
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.
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.
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