ARA-C01 Question 314
Single answerDriversA global enterprise is standardizing how internal applications connect to Snowflake. One legacy Java application uses an old JDBC driver and occasionally downloads very large query result sets to the application server. During a security review, the architect discovers that the driver is not using the latest security and behavior improvements available in newer Snowflake clients. The team wants to reduce operational risk while minimizing code changes in the application. Which action should the architect recommend?
- A
Upgrade to a current Snowflake JDBC driver version that supports the latest fixes and enhancements, and validate the application against the new driver before production rollout.
- B
Keep the existing JDBC driver because Snowflake guarantees full backward compatibility for all driver versions, including security behavior and result handling.
- C
Replace JDBC with SnowSQL for the application so result set downloads are automatically optimized without any application changes.
- D
Switch the application from the JDBC driver to the Python Connector because Snowflake drivers are interchangeable across programming languages with minimal impact.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
For Snowflake-connected applications, architects should follow the best practice of keeping drivers and connectors current. Snowflake regularly delivers security updates, bug fixes, and client-side improvements through its officially supported drivers and connectors, including JDBC. In a legacy application scenario, upgrading the existing JDBC driver is typically the lowest-risk architectural recommendation because it minimizes code changes while improving supportability and security posture. However, because client behavior can change across versions, the upgrade should be tested in a non-production environment before rollout. This aligns with Snowflake documentation and general client management best practices for JDBC and other Snowflake drivers.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Snowflake recommends keeping drivers and connectors up to date to benefit from security updates, bug fixes, performance improvements, and behavior aligned with current platform capabilities. For a legacy Java application, upgrading the Snowflake JDBC driver is the most practical recommendation because it preserves the application’s architecture while reducing risk. Validation testing is still required because driver upgrades can introduce behavioral differences, deprecations, or dependency impacts that need to be assessed before production deployment.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Although Snowflake aims for compatibility, it does not mean every historical driver version provides the same security posture, bug fixes, or support for newer features and behavior. Assuming an old driver is equally safe or operationally equivalent is a common misconception. Older drivers can miss critical fixes and may eventually fall outside recommended support posture.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. SnowSQL is a command-line client, not a drop-in replacement for a Java application using JDBC. Adopting SnowSQL would require redesigning how the application submits SQL and consumes results. This option reflects a misunderstanding of the purpose of SnowSQL versus application drivers.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Snowflake connectors and drivers are language-specific integration components. A Python Connector cannot simply replace a JDBC driver in a Java application with minimal impact. Doing so would require significant application redesign, runtime changes, and likely operational rework. This is not a low-change recommendation for the stated scenario.