A data engineer is describing how the Snowflake architecture is structured. Which statement correctly identifies the three independent layers that make up the platform?
- ADatabase storage, query processing using virtual warehouses, and cloud services that coordinate the whole system. Correct
- BDatabase storage, an in-memory cache layer, and a reporting layer that renders dashboards for end users.
- CA staging layer, a transformation layer, and a presentation layer arranged in a traditional ETL pipeline.
- DA metadata layer, a security layer, and a billing layer that together meter and charge for usage.
Why A is correct: This is the documented three-layer architecture: storage, query processing through virtual warehouses, and cloud services, each scaling independently.
Why B is wrong: An in-memory cache and a reporting layer are not the named architectural layers, so this misstates the design even though caching does exist within compute.
Why C is wrong: These describe a generic ETL data-flow pattern, not the Snowflake platform layers, so the option is tempting but wrong for this question.
Why D is wrong: Metadata, security, and billing are functions handled inside cloud services, not three separate top-level layers, so this option is incorrect.