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Answer: Clustering keys sort the designated columns over time, without blocking DML operations.
The correct answer is B because it accurately describes how clustering keys work in Snowflake. Clustering keys sort designated columns over time to optimize query performance by organizing data in micro-partitions, and this process is non-blocking - it doesn't interfere with DML operations. This is confirmed by the community discussion where all comments unanimously select B with upvotes, and references to Snowflake documentation support that automatic clustering is transparent and doesn't block DML statements. Option A is incorrect because clustering doesn't update micro-partitions in place with a full sort and doesn't significantly impact DML operations. Option C describes a different concept (likely indexing structures in other databases). Option D describes hash distribution for joins, which is not how clustering keys function in Snowflake.
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Which of the following describes how clustering keys function in Snowflake?
A
Clustering keys update the micro-partitions in place with a full sort, and impact the DML operations.
B
Clustering keys sort the designated columns over time, without blocking DML operations.
C
Clustering keys create a distributed, parallel data structure of pointers to a table's rows and columns.
D
Clustering keys establish a hashed key on each node of a virtual warehouse to optimize joins at run-time.