Data Engineering Associate with Databricks Practice Exam

In terms of permissions, what does 'READ_METADATA' privilege allow a user to do?

1. Access the raw data in the table

2. View schema and metadata of the table

3. Modify the data stored in the table

4. Delete the table from the database

The correct answer is: View schema and metadata of the table

The 'READ_METADATA' privilege specifically grants a user the ability to view the schema and the metadata of a table. This includes details such as the structure of the table, its columns, data types, indexes, and any constraints that may be applied. Accessing metadata does not permit the user to access the actual data contained in the table, modify it, or perform actions like deleting the table. This privilege is crucial for users who need to understand the structure of a dataset without directly interacting with the data itself. It enables data analysts, data engineers, and other users to assess the attributes of a table to inform their queries and data manipulation processes without compromising the integrity of the data. Users with this privilege can perform tasks that involve analyzing and documenting the characteristics of the table, which is essential when working with large and complex datasets.