DP-900 Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals exam Study Guide

Describe core data concepts (15-20%)

Describe types of core data workloads

• describe batch data
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/data-guide/technology-choices/batch-processing
• describe streaming data
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/implement-data-streaming-with-asa/
• describe the difference between batch and streaming data
  https://thenewstack.io/the-big-data-debate-batch-processing-vs-streaming-processing/
• describe the characteristics of relational data
  https://binaryterms.com/relational-data-model.html
  
  Describe data analytics core concepts
  
• describe data visualization (e.g., visualization, reporting, business intelligence
  https://www.tableau.com/learn/articles/data-visualization
  
• describe basic chart types such as bar charts and pie charts
  https://chartio.com/learn/charts/how-to-choose-pie-chart-vs-bar-chart/
• describe analytics techniques (e.g., descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, prescriptive,
  cognitive)
  https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/data-analytics.asp#:~:text=Data%20analytics%20is%20the%20science,raw%20data%20for%20human%20consumption.
• describe ELT and ETL processing
  https://www.xplenty.com/blog/etl-vs-elt/#:~:text=ETL%20is%20Extract%2C%20Transform%20and,No%20data%20staging%20is%20needed.
• describe the concepts of data processing
  https://www.mbaknol.com/management-information-systems/concept-of-data-processing/
  
  Describe how to work with relational data on Azure (25-30%)
  
  Describe relational data workloads
  
• identify the right data offering for a relational workload
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/technology-choices/data-store-overview
• describe relational data structures (e.g., tables, index, views)
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/technology-choices/data-store-overview
  
  Describe relational Azure data services
  
• describe and compare PaaS, IaaS, and SaaS delivery models
  https://www.nigelfrank.com/blog/iaas-vs-saas-vs-paas-a-guide-to-azure-cloud-service-types/
• describe Azure SQL Database
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/sql-database/#product-overview
• describe Azure Synapse Analytics
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/synapse-analytics/
• describe SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machine
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/virtual-machines/sql-server/#overview
• describe Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Azure Database for MariaDB, and Azure Database for MySQL
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/postgresql/
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/mariadb/
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/mysql/#product-overview
• describe Azure SQL Managed Instance
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/sql-managed-instance-paas-overview
  
  Identify basic management tasks for relational data
  
• describe provisioning and deployment of relational data services
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/azure-sql/database/sql-database-paas-overview
• describe method for deployment including ARM templates and Azure Portal
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/arm-templates-content-guide?tabs=single-database
• identify data security components (e.g., firewall, authentication)
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/secure-database-tutorial
• identify basic connectivity issues (e.g., accessing from on-premises, access with Azure
  VNets, access from Internet, authentication, firewalls)
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-common-errors-issues
  
• identify query tools (e.g., Azure Data Studio, SQL Server Management Studio, sqlcmd
  utility, etc.)
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/connect-query-ssms
  
  Describe query techniques for data using SQL language
  
• compare DDL versus DML
  https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-ddl-and-dml-in-dbms/
• query relational data in PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Azure SQL Database
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/blog/fast-and-easy-dev-with-azure-db-for-mysql-and-azuredb-for-postgresql/
  
  Describe how to work with non-relational data on Azure (25-30%)
  
  Describe non-relational data workloads
  
• describe the characteristics of non-relational data
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/data-guide/big-data/non-relational-data
• describe the types of non-relational and NoSQL data
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/data-guide/big-data/non-relational-data
• recommend the correct data store
• determine when to use non-relational data
  https://www.pluralsight.com/blog/software-development/relational-non-relational-databases
  
  Describe non-relational data offerings on Azure
  
• identify Azure data services for non-relational workloads
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/technology-choices/data-store-overview
• describe Azure Cosmos DB APIs
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/choose-api-for-cosmos-db/
• describe Azure Table storage
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/storage/tables/
• describe Azure Blob storage
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/storage/blobs/
• describe Azure File storage
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/storage/files/
  
  Identify basic management tasks for non-relational data
  
• describe provisioning and deployment of non-relational data services
  https://www.edx.org/course/databases-in-azure
• describe method for deployment including ARM templates and Azure Portal
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/manage-table-with-resource-manager
• identify data security components (e.g., firewall, authentication)
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/database-security
• identify basic connectivity issues (e.g., accessing from on-premises, access with Azure
  VNets, access from Internet, authentication, firewalls)
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/troubleshoot-dot-net-sdk
• identify management tools for non-relational data
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/overview/nosql-database/
  
  Describe an analytics workload on Azure (25-30%)
  
  Describe analytics workloads
  
• describe transactional workloads
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/analytical-store-introduction
• describe the difference between a transactional and an analytics workload
• describe the difference between batch and real time
• describe data warehousing workloads
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/updates/workload-importance-for-azure-sql-data-warehouse-is-now-generally-available/
• determine when a data warehouse solution is needed
  
  Describe the components of a modern data warehouse
  
• describe Azure data services for modern data warehousing such as Azure Data Lake,
  Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks, and Azure HDInsight
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/solutions/data-lake/
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/synapse-analytics/
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/databricks/
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/
  
  describe modern data warehousing architecture and workload
  
  Describe data ingestion and processing on Azure
  
• describe common practices for data loading
  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/datacat/azure-sql-data-warehouse-loading-patterns-and-strategies/ba-p/305456
• describe the components of Azure Data Factory (e.g., pipeline, activities, etc.)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQpAZVrRrzs#:~:text=some%20of%20the%20high%2Dlevel,ultimate%20end%20product%20for%20consumption.
• describe data processing options (e.g., HDI, Azure Databricks, Azure Synapse Analytics,
  Azure Data Factory)
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/data-guide/technology-choices/data-storage
  
  Describe data visualization in Microsoft Power BI
  
• describe the role of paginated reporting
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/paginated-reports/paginated-reports-report-builder-power-bi
• describe the role of interactive reports
  https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/desktop/#:~:text=Create%20interactive%20reports%20customized%20for,open%20source%20custom%20visuals%20framework.
• describe the role of dashboards
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/service-dashboards
• describe the workflow in Power BI
  https://curbal.com/blog/lesson/power-bi-workflow