An existing clustering key is copied in which scenario?

• A. CREATE TABLE...CLONE
• B. CREATE TABLE...LIKE
• C. CREATE TABLE...AS SELECT
• D. CREATE TABLE...INSERT

Answer: (A)

Clustering keys are metadata attached to a table and define how data is organized for efficient querying. A zero-copy clone copies both the data and the table’s metadata from the source, so the clone inherits the existing clustering key exactly as defined. That’s why this scenario preserves the clustering key. Other options don’t automatically carry over that metadata: copying with LIKE creates a new table with similar structure but not necessarily the clustering key configuration; creating with AS SELECT builds a new table from a query without inheriting the source’s clustering key; inserting moves data into a table but does not replicate or copy the clustering key definition.