Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure →easyMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
DP-900 Practice Question: Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure
Which TWO of the following Azure services are considered non-relational data stores?
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 Cosmos DB
Options B and C are correct. Azure Cosmos DB (B) is a globally distributed, multi-model NoSQL database service, making it a non-relational data store. Azure Table Storage (C) is a key-value store that is also non-relational. Option A is wrong because Azure SQL Database is a relational database. Option D is wrong because Azure Synapse Analytics is a relational analytics system. Option E is wrong because Azure Database for PostgreSQL is a relational database.
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 it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed relational database service built on the SQL Server engine, enforcing a fixed schema with tables, rows, columns, and primary/foreign key constraints. It uses T-SQL for querying and maintains ACID guarantees, making it a true relational store. Since the question asks for non-relational services, this cannot be a correct answer.
- ✓
Azure Cosmos DB
Why this is correct
Azure Cosmos DB is a multi-model NoSQL database service that supports document, key-value, graph, and column-family data models, with schema-agnostic ingestion. It provides global distribution and multiple consistency levels, but it deliberately avoids relational constructs like joins and fixed schemas. This makes it one of the two non-relational answers.
- ✓
Azure Table Storage
Why this is correct
Azure Table Storage is a NoSQL key-value store within Azure Storage, where each entity is composed of a partition key, row key, and properties, with no relational relationships or shared schema enforced across tables. It is designed for large amounts of semi-structured data and queries by key, not by SQL joins. Thus it qualifies as non-relational, alongside Cosmos DB.
- ✗
Azure Synapse Analytics
Why it's wrong here
Azure Synapse Analytics (formerly SQL Data Warehouse) uses a distributed Massively Parallel Processing architecture, but it still represents data as relational tables queried via T-SQL, with named schemas and structured columns. It is built for analytical workloads, yet its underlying data model is relational. Therefore it does not count as a non-relational service.
- ✗
Azure Database for PostgreSQL
Why it's wrong here
Azure Database for PostgreSQL is a managed PaaS offering for PostgreSQL, an open-source relational database engine that relies on tables, rows, relations, and foreign keys, and uses SQL for data manipulation and joins. It enforces schema and ACID properties, ensuring consistency and integrity. Being relational, it is not a non-relational service.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Roles and Core Concepts
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.
Key term
Data
Data is raw, unprocessed information, like numbers, words, or measurements, that can be stored, processed, and analyzed by computers.
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