DP-900 Course Notes

The exam tests relational database fundamentals, essential for understanding how data is structured, stored, and managed. Relational databases organize data into tables with rows and columns, establishing relationships between them to ensure data integrity and efficient retrieval. Mastering these concepts is crucial for designing effective data solutions and interpreting data-related scenarios.

• **Primary Key vs. Foreign Key:** A primary key uniquely identifies a row; a foreign key establishes a relationship to another table.

• Carefully read the scenario and identify the key requirements before selecting an answer.

The exam tests non-relational data storage options within Azure, emphasizing when and why to choose each service. Understanding the nuances of these services – from Blob Storage to Azure Data Explorer and Cosmos DB – is critical for designing cost-effective and performant data solutions.

• **Blob Storage vs. Azure Files:** Blob Storage is for unstructured data, while Azure Files provides network file shares.

• Prioritize services based on the *primary* requirement. If performance is critical, choose a service optimized for that.

The exam tests the foundational concepts of data analytics workloads in Azure, covering various architectures, services, and design patterns. Understanding these principles is critical for selecting the right tools and approaches to efficiently process and analyze data for business intelligence and other analytical purposes.

• **Dedicated SQL Pool vs. Serverless SQL Pool:** Dedicated pools require provisioning and are optimized for predictable workloads. Serverless pools are on-demand and cost-effective for ad-hoc queries.

• Prioritize cost-effectiveness when selecting services, especially for large-scale workloads.

The exam tests Azure's relational database services, essential for storing and managing structured data. Understanding these services is critical for building reliable and scalable applications. The exam will test your ability to select the appropriate database service based on workload requirements, security considerations, and cost optimization.

• **Single Database vs. Elastic Pool:** Single Database provides dedicated resources, while Elastic Pool shares resources among multiple databases.

• Prioritize cost optimization when selecting a service, but don't compromise on performance or security.

The exam tests Azure Cosmos DB, Microsoft’s globally distributed, multi-model database service. Understanding the different APIs and their strengths is critical for selecting the right tool for the job, optimizing performance, and ensuring application compatibility. The exam will test your ability to choose the appropriate API based on workload characteristics, data model, existing application infrastructure, and performance requirements.

• The SQL (Core) API is a general-purpose option, while the other APIs are designed for specific workloads or compatibility with existing systems.

• Carefully read the scenario and identify the key requirements (e.g., data model, query patterns, existing infrastructure).

The exam tests Microsoft Fabric and Power BI, two core components of the Microsoft analytics platform. Microsoft Fabric provides a unified environment for data engineering, data science, and business intelligence, while Power BI enables interactive data visualization and reporting. Understanding how these services integrate and their respective capabilities is crucial for designing and implementing effective analytics solutions.

• OneLake shortcuts are *logical* views; they don't physically move data. This contrasts with copying data into a new dataset.

• Prioritize solutions that minimize data movement and leverage existing infrastructure.