COF-C03 Question 48
Single answerApplicationsA software company wants to distribute a data application to multiple customers using Snowflake. The application should run inside each customer's Snowflake account so customer data does not leave their environment. The provider also wants to package setup scripts and application logic together so updates can be distributed centrally. Which Snowflake capability best meets these requirements?
- A
Create a Native App using the Snowflake Native App Framework and distribute it to consumers
- B
Create a database share and ask each customer to copy the shared objects into their own account
- C
Use Snowpipe to continuously load customer data into the provider's Snowflake account and expose results through views
- D
Build an external application hosted outside Snowflake and connect to each customer account with a service user
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is the Snowflake Native App Framework because it is specifically intended for building and distributing applications that execute within a consumer's Snowflake environment. This supports important real-world goals such as data locality, easier governance, and simplified distribution of app logic and updates. By contrast, secure data sharing is focused on sharing data objects, not delivering a managed in-account application experience. Snowpipe addresses ingestion, not application distribution. An externally hosted app may be valid for some architectures, but it does not meet the requirement for in-account execution. For SnowPro Core, candidates should understand that Native Apps are the Snowflake feature most directly aligned with distributing applications to customers while keeping data in the consumer account.
- A. Correct.
Correct. The Snowflake Native App Framework is designed for providers to package application logic, setup scripts, and supported objects for distribution to consumers. The app runs in the consumer's Snowflake account, which helps keep consumer data within that account. This aligns with the scenario's requirements for in-account execution and centralized application packaging and updates.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Secure data sharing is used to share data without copying it, but it is not the primary mechanism for packaging and distributing a full application with setup scripts and application logic. Asking customers to copy shared objects also conflicts with how sharing works and does not provide the managed application lifecycle described in the scenario.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Snowpipe is a data ingestion service for loading files into Snowflake tables. It does not package or distribute applications. In addition, loading customer data into the provider's account contradicts the requirement that customer data should remain in each customer's environment.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. An externally hosted application can connect to Snowflake, but this does not satisfy the requirement that the application run inside each customer's Snowflake account. It also creates more operational and security overhead compared with a native application distributed through Snowflake.