Question

A data engineer is explaining to a new team member how Snowflake physically stores loaded table data in the Database Storage layer. The team member asks in what form Snowflake actually keeps the data on the underlying cloud object storage. Which statement accurately describes how Snowflake stores this data?

Accepted Answer

Data is stored in an optimized, compressed, columnar format that Snowflake manages internally and that customers cannot directly access or modify.

Answer

Data is stored as raw, uncompressed row-based files that customers can browse and edit directly in the cloud provider's storage console.

Answer

Data is stored in the customer's own external cloud storage bucket in open Parquet format so it can be read by external tools.

Answer

Data is stored in the virtual warehouse's local SSD cache and is lost whenever the warehouse is suspended.