Cloud SQL supported engines (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server) in GCP - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Identify supported Cloud SQL engines

Which of the following database engines is NOT supported by Google Cloud SQL?

A SQL Server

B PostgreSQL

C Oracle Database

D MySQL

💡 Hint

Think about the engines officially listed in Cloud SQL documentation.

Google Cloud SQL supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. Oracle Database is not supported.

❓ Architecture

intermediate

Choosing Cloud SQL engine for Windows-based apps

You have a Windows-based application that requires a relational database with strong integration to Microsoft technologies. Which Cloud SQL engine is the best fit?

A SQL Server

B PostgreSQL

C MySQL

D MariaDB

💡 Hint

Consider which engine is native to Microsoft environments.

SQL Server is the Microsoft database engine supported by Cloud SQL, ideal for Windows-based apps.

❓ service_behavior

advanced

Cloud SQL engine version support behavior

When a new major version of PostgreSQL is released, how does Cloud SQL handle support for this version?

A Cloud SQL automatically upgrades all PostgreSQL instances to the new major version without user action.

B Cloud SQL never supports new major versions after initial launch.

C Cloud SQL immediately supports the new major version on all instances.

D Cloud SQL adds support for new major versions after testing and validation, and users can upgrade manually.

💡 Hint

Think about safe upgrade practices in managed services.

Cloud SQL adds support for new major versions after testing. Users must manually upgrade their instances.

❓ security

advanced

Cloud SQL engine encryption capabilities

Which Cloud SQL supported engine provides built-in Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to encrypt data at rest by default?

A SQL Server

B PostgreSQL

C All supported engines provide TDE by default

D MySQL

💡 Hint

Consider which engine natively supports TDE technology.

SQL Server supports Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) natively. MySQL and PostgreSQL do not provide TDE by default in Cloud SQL.

✅ Best Practice

expert

Selecting Cloud SQL engine for cross-cloud compatibility

You want to design a multi-cloud application that uses Cloud SQL but also needs to migrate easily to other cloud providers' managed databases. Which Cloud SQL engine choice best supports this goal?

A SQL Server, because it is widely supported across clouds.

B MySQL, because it is open source and supported by most cloud providers.

C PostgreSQL, because it is proprietary and unique to Google Cloud.

D MariaDB, because it is the default engine in Cloud SQL.

💡 Hint

Think about open source engines and cloud provider support.

MySQL is open source and supported by most cloud providers, making it best for cross-cloud compatibility. PostgreSQL is also open source but option B incorrectly states it is proprietary. MariaDB is not supported by Cloud SQL. SQL Server is supported but less common across clouds.