The answer is Option D, which uses `eval(case(match(status,"(?i)fail"),1))` inside the `timechart` command. This is correct because the `match` function with the `(?i)` flag performs a case-insensitive substring search, and wrapping it in `case` creates a temporary field valued at 1 for matching events, which `timechart count by` then aggregates per hour. On the SPLK-1003 exam, this tests your understanding of how to combine `eval`, `case`, and `match` for conditional aggregation within a timechart, avoiding the common trap of using `where` before `timechart` which would filter out non-matching events entirely rather than grouping them. A key memory tip is to think of `(?i)` as "ignore case" — it’s a regex flag that makes the pattern case-insensitive, and placing the logic inside `timechart` ensures the count is bucketed by time without losing the original event context.
SPLK-1003 Advanced Searching and Statistics Practice Question
This SPLK-1003 practice question tests your understanding of advanced searching and statistics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An analyst wants to create a timechart of the count of events per hour, but only for events where the field `status` contains the word "fail" (case-insensitive). Which search is correct?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
index=main | timechart count by eval(case(match(status,"(?i)fail"),1))
Option D is correct because it uses `eval` with `case` and `match` to create a field that is 1 when `status` contains 'fail' (case-insensitive via `(?i)`), then uses `timechart count by` that field to count only matching events per hour. This approach correctly filters within the timechart aggregation, ensuring only events where status matches the pattern are counted.
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.
regex does not use glob matching; it expects regex pattern, so "fail" would match literal "fail" but not case-insensitive.
✗
index=main | where status="*fail*" | timechart count
Why it's wrong here
where uses case-sensitive and does not support wildcards; use like instead.
✓
index=main | timechart count by eval(case(match(status,"(?i)fail"),1))
Why this is correct
match with (?i) does case-insensitive regex and eval creates a field for timechart.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Splunk often tests the distinction between `search` (which supports wildcards) and `where` (which does not), and the requirement to use `match` with regex flags for case-insensitive substring matching in aggregation commands.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `match` function uses PCRE (Perl Compatible Regular Expressions), and the `(?i)` flag enables case-insensitive matching without needing to specify character classes. The `eval(case(...))` creates a temporary field that can be used in the `by` clause of `timechart`, allowing conditional aggregation without a separate filtering step. This approach is efficient because it avoids an extra `search` or `where` command that would require scanning all events twice.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Advanced Searching and Statistics — This question tests Advanced Searching and Statistics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: index=main | timechart count by eval(case(match(status,"(?i)fail"),1)) — Option D is correct because it uses `eval` with `case` and `match` to create a field that is 1 when `status` contains 'fail' (case-insensitive via `(?i)`), then uses `timechart count by` that field to count only matching events per hour. This approach correctly filters within the timechart aggregation, ensuring only events where status matches the pattern are counted.
What should I do if I get this SPLK-1003 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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Question Discussion
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