Cloud SQL supported engines (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server) in GCP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Cloud SQL in Google Cloud Platform?

Cloud SQL is a fully managed database service that lets you run relational databases in the cloud without managing the underlying infrastructure.

beginner

Which database engines are supported by Cloud SQL?

Cloud SQL supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server database engines.

intermediate

Name one key feature of Cloud SQL for MySQL.

Cloud SQL for MySQL offers automatic backups, replication, and high availability to keep your data safe and accessible.

intermediate

What advantage does Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL provide?

It supports advanced PostgreSQL features like JSONB data type and PostGIS for geographic data, making it powerful for complex applications.

intermediate

Why would you choose Cloud SQL for SQL Server?

Cloud SQL for SQL Server allows you to run Microsoft SQL Server workloads in the cloud with managed backups, patching, and scaling.

Which of the following is NOT a supported engine in Cloud SQL?

A Oracle

B PostgreSQL

C MySQL

D SQL Server

Cloud SQL supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server, but not Oracle.

Cloud SQL automatically manages which of the following for supported engines?

A Hardware repairs

B Backups and patching

C Writing application code

D User interface design

Cloud SQL handles backups, patching, and maintenance tasks automatically.

Which Cloud SQL engine supports PostGIS for geographic data?

A PostgreSQL

B MySQL

C SQL Server

D All of the above

PostgreSQL supports PostGIS, an extension for geographic data.

If you want to run Microsoft SQL Server in Cloud SQL, what benefit do you get?

A Manual backups only

B Only local hosting

C Managed backups and scaling

D No support for SQL Server

Cloud SQL for SQL Server provides managed backups, patching, and scaling.

Which Cloud SQL engine is best known for its JSONB data type support?

A None

B MySQL

C SQL Server

D PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL supports the JSONB data type for efficient JSON storage.

List the three database engines supported by Cloud SQL and one key feature of each.

Think about the main engines and what makes each unique in Cloud SQL.

Explain why using Cloud SQL can be beneficial compared to managing your own database servers.

Consider the tasks Cloud SQL automates for you.

Practice

1. Which database engines are supported by Google Cloud SQL?

easy

A. SQLite, Cassandra, and MariaDB

B. Oracle, MongoDB, and Redis

C. Firebase, Bigtable, and Spanner

D. MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall supported engines in Cloud SQL

   Google Cloud SQL supports three main database engines: MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.

2. Step 2: Compare options with supported engines

   Only MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server lists these three engines correctly; others list unsupported or different services.

3. Final Answer:

   MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Cloud SQL engines = MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server [OK]

Hint: Remember Cloud SQL supports only these three engines [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Cloud SQL with other GCP database services
• Including unsupported engines like Oracle or MongoDB
• Mixing NoSQL and SQL engines

2. Which of the following is the correct way to specify the database engine when creating a Cloud SQL instance using gcloud CLI?

easy

A. gcloud sql instances create my-instance --database-version=MYSQL_8_0

B. gcloud sql create instance my-instance --engine=PostgreSQL

C. gcloud sql instances new my-instance --db-engine=SQLSERVER_2019

D. gcloud sql instance create my-instance --version=MySQL8

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct gcloud command syntax

   The correct command uses 'gcloud sql instances create' and the flag '--database-version' with uppercase engine and version format.

2. Step 2: Match options with correct syntax

   gcloud sql instances create my-instance --database-version=MYSQL_8_0 matches the correct syntax: 'gcloud sql instances create my-instance --database-version=MYSQL_8_0'. Others use incorrect flags or commands.

3. Final Answer:

   gcloud sql instances create my-instance --database-version=MYSQL_8_0 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct gcloud syntax = gcloud sql instances create my-instance --database-version=MYSQL_8_0 [OK]

Hint: Use '--database-version' flag with uppercase engine name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong command verbs like 'create instance' instead of 'instances create'
• Using incorrect flags like '--engine' or '--db-engine'
• Incorrect engine version format or casing

3. Given this snippet to create a Cloud SQL instance with PostgreSQL engine:

gcloud sql instances create pg-instance --database-version=POSTGRES_14 --tier=db-f1-micro --region=us-central1

What will be the engine version of the created instance?

medium

A. SQL Server 2019

B. MySQL 8.0

C. PostgreSQL 14

D. PostgreSQL 9.6

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the '--database-version' flag

   The flag '--database-version=POSTGRES_14' specifies PostgreSQL version 14.

2. Step 2: Confirm engine and version from command

   The instance will use PostgreSQL engine version 14 as indicated.

3. Final Answer:

   PostgreSQL 14 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Database version flag = POSTGRES_14 means PostgreSQL 14 [OK]

Hint: Look at '--database-version' value for engine and version [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming default engine if not read carefully
• Confusing PostgreSQL versions with MySQL or SQL Server
• Ignoring case sensitivity in version strings

4. You tried to create a Cloud SQL instance with this command:

gcloud sql instances create sqlserver-instance --database-version=SQLSERVER_2017

But it failed. What is the likely reason?

medium

A. Missing required region flag

B. SQL Server 2017 is not supported by Cloud SQL

C. Incorrect command syntax for instance creation

D. SQL Server requires a different CLI tool

Solution

1. Step 1: Check required flags for Cloud SQL instance creation

   The --region flag (and --tier) is required; both are missing here.

2. Step 2: Validate other aspects

   SQL Server 2017 is supported via SQLSERVER_2017, command syntax is correct, CLI tool is correct.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing required region flag -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Missing --region causes failure [OK]

Hint: Always include --region (and --tier) when creating Cloud SQL instances [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming SQL Server 2017 is unsupported
• Thinking region flag is optional
• Believing a different CLI tool is needed

5. You need a Cloud SQL instance for an app that requires strong Windows authentication support and integration with Microsoft tools. Which engine should you choose and why?

hard

A. MySQL, because it is the most popular and easy to use

B. SQL Server, because it supports Windows authentication and Microsoft integration

C. Any engine, because Cloud SQL handles authentication uniformly

D. PostgreSQL, because it supports advanced JSON features

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify app requirements

   The app needs strong Windows authentication and Microsoft tool integration.

2. Step 2: Match engine capabilities

   SQL Server supports Windows authentication and integrates well with Microsoft tools, unlike MySQL or PostgreSQL.

3. Step 3: Confirm Cloud SQL engine choice

   Choosing SQL Server engine meets the app's specific needs best.

4. Final Answer:

   SQL Server, because it supports Windows authentication and Microsoft integration -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Windows auth needs SQL Server engine [OK]

Hint: Choose SQL Server for Windows authentication needs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Picking MySQL or PostgreSQL ignoring Windows auth needs
• Assuming Cloud SQL abstracts all authentication differences
• Not considering app-specific integration requirements