SPLK-1001 Basic Searching and Transforming Commands Practice Question
A search includes the command '| stats dc(user) by host'. What does this command return?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse `dc(user)` with `count(user)` or `sum(user)`, leading candidates to think it returns event counts or sums instead of distinct counts.
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 number of distinct users per host
The `dc(user)` function in the `stats` command calculates the distinct count of the `user` field values. When combined with `by host`, it returns the number of unique users for each host. This is why option D is correct.
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 number of unique hosts per user
Why it's wrong here
Grouped by host, not user.
- ✗
The count of events per host
Why it's wrong here
dc(user) is distinct count, not event count.
- ✗
The sum of user values per host
Why it's wrong here
Sum is not applicable to strings.
- ✓
The number of distinct users per host
Why this is correct
dc(user) counts distinct users.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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