DP-900 · 1 Describe core data concepts
Azure datastore options
Exam objective: Identify Azure datastores for common use cases
Azure offers a datastore for almost every shape of data and workload. Match the use case to the service rather than memorizing every feature.
Azure has a datastore for nearly every shape of data, and exam questions usually describe a need rather than naming a service, so you have to recognize the fit.
For transactional, relational workloads, Azure SQL Database is the fully managed default. SQL Managed Instance and SQL VM exist for cases that need more control over the server, at the cost of managing more of it yourself. Azure Database for MySQL and PostgreSQL cover the same transactional need for open source engines.
For flexible, globally distributed nonrelational data, such as JSON documents or graphs that need low latency anywhere in the world, Azure Cosmos DB fits. For files and binary content, Azure Storage blob containers are the starting point, and a blob account with a hierarchical namespace becomes a data lake for analytics.
For moving and shaping that data, Azure Data Factory builds extract, transform and load pipelines, while Microsoft Fabric combines ingestion, a warehouse and Power BI reporting in one workspace without managing servers.
On the exam, look for the workload described (transactional, global NoSQL, files, pipeline, unified analytics) and pick the service built for it.
Key points
- Azure SQL Database is a fully managed, platform as a service relational database for line of business apps. SQL Managed Instance and SQL VM trade that managed simplicity for more administrative control.
- Azure Database for MySQL and Azure Database for PostgreSQL are managed open source relational engines for the same kind of transactional workload.
- Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed nonrelational database that can store data as documents, key-value pairs, column families or graphs.
- Azure Storage holds blob containers for binary files, file shares for network file access and tables for fast key-value access. A blob account with a hierarchical namespace becomes a data lake.
- Azure Data Factory builds pipelines that move and transform data between stores, and Microsoft Fabric brings ingestion, warehousing and Power BI together in one workspace on OneLake.
Exam trap
The exam rewards picking the option with the least administrative overhead that still fits the scenario. Choose Azure SQL Database over SQL Managed Instance or SQL VM unless the scenario specifically needs server level control that only those options give.
Check yourself
A team needs full control over the operating system and SQL Server configuration, including custom extensions, and is willing to patch and manage the server themselves. Which Azure SQL option fits best?
Go deeper on Microsoft Learn
Checked against Microsoft Learn on October 1, 2026.