Microsoft Azure Data FundamentalsDescribe how to work with non-relational data on AzureMedium
A global e-commerce platform needs to store customer order history, which includes variable schema data like product details, shipping information, and payment methods. The platform requires extremely low-latency access globally and the ability to scale throughput and storage independently. Which Azure non-relational data service is the most appropriate choice?
- AAzure Table Storage
- BAzure Data Lake Storage Gen2
- CAzure Blob Storage
- DAzure Cosmos DB
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Azure Cosmos DB
Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed, multi-model database service that provides low-latency access and independent scaling of throughput and storage, making it ideal for variable schema data like order histories in a global e-commerce platform.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Azure Table Storage is a simple key-value store with limited query capabilities and does not offer the same global distribution, low-latency, or independent scaling features as Cosmos DB.
- B. Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 is optimized for big data analytics workloads and large-scale data lakes, not for transactional, low-latency operational data with flexible schemas.
- C. Azure Blob Storage is primarily for storing unstructured data (e.g., binaries, large files) and lacks database querying capabilities and schema flexibility for transactional data.
Azure Cosmos DB
A globally distributed, multi-model database service that offers low-latency access, high availability, and independent scaling of throughput and storage.
- Supports multiple APIs (SQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, Table).
- Guarantees single-digit millisecond latency at 99th percentile.
- Offers five well-defined consistency models.
Memory trick: Cosmos: The universe of data, fast and flexible.