Snowflake Certification Practice Test

Which factors influence the consumption of Snowflake credits?

1. Size of the warehouse and storage limits

2. Number of users and duration of warehouse operation

3. Types of queries processed

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Number of users and duration of warehouse operation

The consumption of Snowflake credits is influenced by several interrelated factors, not limited to just one aspect. One of the key factors is indeed the number of users and the duration of warehouse operation. When the number of users increases, there may be more simultaneous queries and demands on the data warehouse, which can lead to higher credit consumption as the resources are scaled to meet these demands. Furthermore, the duration for which a data warehouse is operational directly correlates to credit usage; the longer the warehouse is running, the more credits will be consumed even if the active tasks are minimal. While considering other factors, the size of the warehouse (i.e., the compute resources allocated) affects credit usage—larger warehouses consume more credits per hour. Additionally, the types of queries processed also contribute since complex queries demanding more computational power will inherently use more credits than simpler ones. However, in the context of the question, it is essential to recognize that focusing solely on the number of users and the duration of warehouse operation captures a significant aspect of credit consumption that is fundamental to understanding Snowflake's pricing model. In practice, all factors interplay, but the direct connection between user count and operational time makes this option particularly relevant.