Question 297 of 510

Database Administration and CMDB →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

SNOW-CSA Database Administration and CMDB Practice Question

This SNOW-CSA practice question tests your understanding of database administration and cmdb. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
Name: server_by_os
Tables: cmdb_ci_server (alias: s), cmdb_ci_os (alias: o)
Join: s.os_id = o.sys_id
Fields: s.name, s.os, o.version, o.build

A report using the 'server_by_os' database view is expected to show a record for each server. However, a server without an operating system entry is not appearing in the report. What is the most likely reason?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1easymultiple choice

Full question →

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
Name: server_by_os
Tables: cmdb_ci_server (alias: s), cmdb_ci_os (alias: o)
Join: s.os_id = o.sys_id
Fields: s.name, s.os, o.version, o.build

A
The view is missing a required field.
Why wrong: The view includes all necessary fields; missing data is due to join type.
B
The view is not refreshed.
Why wrong: Views are dynamic; they don't need to be refreshed.
C
The server's OS field is null.
Why wrong: A null OS field means no matching OS record, which causes the INNER JOIN to exclude the row.
D
The join is defined as an INNER JOIN, excluding servers without a matching OS record.
INNER JOIN requires matching records in both tables.

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

✓

The join is defined as an INNER JOIN, excluding servers without a matching OS record.

The report is built on a database view that joins the server table with the operating system table. If the join is an INNER JOIN, only records with matching rows in both tables are returned. A server with a null OS field has no matching OS record, so it is excluded from the result set. This is the most likely reason the server is missing from the report.

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.

✗
The view is missing a required field.
Why it's wrong here
The view includes all necessary fields; missing data is due to join type.
✗
The view is not refreshed.
Why it's wrong here
Views are dynamic; they don't need to be refreshed.
✗
The server's OS field is null.
Why it's wrong here
A null OS field means no matching OS record, which causes the INNER JOIN to exclude the row.
✓
The join is defined as an INNER JOIN, excluding servers without a matching OS record.
Why this is correct
INNER JOIN requires matching records in both tables.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates assume a null field value is the direct cause of the missing record, when in fact the underlying join type (INNER JOIN) is the mechanism that excludes rows with null foreign keys.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In ServiceNow, database views are defined using SQL joins. An INNER JOIN requires that the foreign key in the server table (e.g., 'os' field referencing the 'cmdb_os' table) has a non-null value that matches a primary key in the OS table. If the OS field is null or the referenced record does not exist, the server row is omitted. This is a common design choice to ensure referential integrity, but it can cause unexpected data loss in reports if null values are not handled explicitly.

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 practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

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 SNOW-CSA question test?

Database Administration and CMDB — This question tests Database Administration and CMDB — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The join is defined as an INNER JOIN, excluding servers without a matching OS record. — The report is built on a database view that joins the server table with the operating system table. If the join is an INNER JOIN, only records with matching rows in both tables are returned. A server with a null OS field has no matching OS record, so it is excluded from the result set. This is the most likely reason the server is missing from the report.

What should I do if I get this SNOW-CSA question wrong?

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

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026

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