Data Engineering Associate with Databricks Practice Exam

What happens to the underlying files of managed tables when the table is dropped?

1. The files are archived for future use.

2. The files are retained for auditing purposes.

3. The files are deleted along with the table.

4. The files remain accessible in the database.

The correct answer is: The files are deleted along with the table.

When a managed table is dropped in Databricks, the files associated with that table are deleted along with the table itself. Managed tables are controlled by the Databricks environment, which means that the storage and lifecycle of the table data are managed by Databricks. When the table is removed, all relevant data stored in the predefined location is also erased, ensuring that no remnants of the table data remain. This behavior emphasizes the managed nature of the table, where the system takes care of both the table metadata and the underlying data. In contrast, other scenarios describe different behaviors regarding data retention. For instance, if files were archived or retained for auditing, the deletion process would not be as straightforward, and remnants of the data would still exist. Similarly, if the files remained accessible in the database after dropping the table, it would imply that the table’s data was not entirely controlled by the table's existence, which contradicts the principles of managed tables in Databricks. Thus, the correct understanding aligns with the management philosophy of stored data under managed tables, reinforcing that they are tightly coupled with the lifecycle of the table definition.