Installing the Datastore Emulator from the Ubuntu Package Repository

ACE By islever Editorial Last updated

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Short answer

C Install the google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator component with apt-get, because the apt-based Cloud SDK disables the gcloud component manager.

Question

You have a developer laptop with the Cloud SDK installed on Ubuntu. The Cloud SDK was installed from the Google Cloud Ubuntu package repository. You want
to test your application locally on your laptop with Cloud Datastore. What should you do?
  1. Export Cloud Datastore data using gcloud datastore export.
  2. Create a Cloud Datastore index using gcloud datastore indexes create.
  3. Install the google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator component using the apt get install command. Correct Answer
  4. Install the cloud-datastore-emulator component using the gcloud components install command.

Key Takeaways

This question tests whether you know that an apt-installed Cloud SDK disables the gcloud components manager, so the common trap is reflexively running 'gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator', which fails on this installation type.

When the Google Cloud SDK is installed on Ubuntu from the official apt repository, the built-in Component Manager is disabled, so extras such as the Cloud Datastore emulator must be added through apt. The page confirms that the correct action is installing the google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator package with apt-get, enabling local Datastore testing on the developer laptop.

Common mistake: Option D (gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator) is the popular wrong pick: it is the standard command for tarball or bundled installs, but on an apt-based install gcloud returns an error stating the component manager is disabled and tells you to use the package manager instead.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

The question explicitly states the Cloud SDK on Ubuntu came from the Google Cloud Ubuntu package repository (installed via apt). Google's own documentation notes that instructions involving the component manager "will not work if you have installed Cloud SDK using a package manager such as APT or yum because Cloud SDK Component Manager is disabled." For that install type, optional components are delivered as separate Debian packages, and the Datastore emulator is the package google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator, installed with sudo apt-get install google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator. That matches option C exactly and gives the developer a locally runnable emulator for testing the application against Datastore.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option D, gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator, is the correct procedure only for installations that manage themselves (zip/tarball, bundled, or installer-based); on an apt-based install it raises an error saying the component manager is disabled, so it cannot accomplish the goal here. Option A, gcloud datastore export, exports production Cloud Datastore data to Cloud Storage — it neither installs an emulator nor supports local testing, and it requires a running Datastore instance. Option B, gcloud datastore indexes create, only creates a composite index in a live Datastore database and is unrelated to setting up a local development environment.

Community Comment Notes

The community converges strongly on C. XRiddlerX reproduces the failure of the D route, noting the error "You cannot perform this action because the Cloud SDK component manager is disabled for this installation" and quoting the apt-based alternative. SWObaby captures the trap well, observing that the question's phrase about the Ubuntu package repository is decisive and that D "seems like an attractive answer" but "does NOT fit the context of the question." Eshkrkrkr cites the official components doc warning that the component-manager steps fail for APT or yum installs, and ShakthiGCP reports having verified the answer on a fresh Ubuntu server. Only one voice, professor, argued for D by pointing at the emulator documentation page, but that page's gcloud components install route does not apply to the installation method stated in the question.

Official Reference

These links open the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Exam Strategy

Read the installation method as the deciding constraint — whenever a question mentions apt, yum, or a package repository, assume the gcloud component manager is disabled and reach for the package manager. Cross-check each option against the stated environment rather than against what is merely a valid command elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't 'gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator' work on my Ubuntu laptop?

Because the Cloud SDK installed from the Google Cloud Ubuntu apt repository has its Component Manager disabled. gcloud returns an error telling you to install optional components through the package manager instead.

What package do I install with apt-get to test Cloud Datastore locally?

Use sudo apt-get install google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator. It adds the Datastore emulator component, which you then start with the gcloud beta emulators datastore start command for local testing.

More ACE FAQ →

Discussion 154 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 30 of 154

  1. XRiddlerX 👍 56
    I agree with this comment. The answer is C. If you installed the SDK from the Ubuntu repo and try to do the following: $ gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator You will receive this message: ERROR: (gcloud.components.install) You cannot perform this action because the Cloud SDK component manager is disabled for this installation. You can run the following command to achieve the same result for this installation: sudo apt-get install google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator
  2. someoneinthecloud 👍 52
    I believe answer is C https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/downloads-apt-get The question is not about the datastore command itself but from where we should run the update command on the Ubuntu to install the component.
  3. myuniquename 👍 36
    absolutely insane if that question comes up during the associate exam, who on earth would know that off the top of their heads?
  4. professor 👍 27
    Ans is D https://cloud.google.com/datastore/docs/tools/datastore-emulator
  5. Eshkrkrkr 👍 26
    Wrong! The answer is C! When you install SDK using apt Cloud SDK Component Manager is disabled and you need to install extra packages again using apt. https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/components#managing_cloud_sdk_components Note: These instructions will not work if you have installed Cloud SDK using a package manager such as APT or yum because Cloud SDK Component Manager is disabled when using that method of installation.
Show 25 more comments
  1. SWObaby 👍 23
    I believe the answer is C... It is a tricky question!! The question states, "The Cloud SDK was installed from the Google Cloud Ubuntu package repository." For those, who aren't that familiar with Debian/Ubuntu, D seems like an attractive answer. It works as a way to install Datastore...but it does NOT fit the context of the question. I recommend looking back to G Cloud SDK installation (Debian/Ubuntu): https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install#deb Read the "Installation Steps" in the documentation. In Step 3, "sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install google-cloud-sdk". Then, Step 4 is additionally adding other components, such as "sudo apt-get install google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator". Proving C the correct answer.
  2. Ale1973 👍 14
    Yes, but it says that "The Cloud SDK was installed from the Google Cloud Ubuntu package repository", then to install datastore emulator you should use the command in Option C.
  3. Ale1973 👍 8
    WOW!!! Today I have learned a new and interesting thing thanks to you...
  4. mbiy 👍 6
    Ans is C, as Cloud SDK was installed using Ubuntu package manager, if you have installed Cloud SDK using a package manager such as APT or yum then Cloud SDK Component Manager is disabled. Hence the correct option is C i.e. to use package manager to install datastore emulator.
  5. ShakthiGCP 👍 6
    Go With 'C' ... just tried creating a ubuntu server and verified these.. Dont worry about any other options. https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/quickstart#deb check this link .
  6. vsmax 👍 5
    Anwer is C - Checked 1. Add google repo, update and then install : apt-get install google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator if you try to install with gcloud you will get the error: ERROR: (gcloud.components.install) You cannot perform this action because this Cloud SDK installation is managed by an external package manager. Please consider using a separate installation of the Cloud SDK created through the default mechanism described at: https://cloud.google.com/sdk/
  7. mateo2121 👍 4
    Wrong answer, the correct is D! To use the Datastore emulator you need: -A Java JRE (version 8 or greater) -The Google Cloud SDK -An application built using the Google Cloud Client Libraries; Installing the emulator: The Datastore emulator is a component of the Google Cloud SDK's gcloud tool. Use the gcloud components install command to install the Datastore emulator: gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator https://cloud.google.com/datastore/docs/tools/datastore-emulator
  8. JackGlemins 👍 4
    C 100%: https://cloud.google.com/datastore/docs/tools/datastore-emulator Installing the emulator The Datastore emulator is a component of the Google Cloud SDK's gcloud tool. Use the gcloud components install command to install the Datastore emulator: gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator
  9. sapguru 👍 4
    Answer is D if gcloud sdk not installed, answer would have been C https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/downloads-apt-get Since gcloud SDK is installed, option D https://cloud.google.com/datastore/docs/tools/datastore-emulator#installing_the_emulator
  10. stepkurniawan 👍 4
    it says that in your Ubuntu, you have Cloud SDK installed already. So it should be able to run the command in D
  11. Rameshmfm 👍 4
    Ans is D - Please refer this link https://cloud.google.com/datastore/docs/tools/datastore-emulator
  12. swatititame 👍 4
    • C. Install the google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator component using the apt get install command.
  13. ericyev 👍 4
    it looks D is correct gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator
  14. ESP_SAP 👍 3
    Correct Answer is (D): The Datastore emulator provides local emulation of the production Datastore environment. You can use the emulator to develop and test your application locally. In addition, the emulator can help you generate indexes for your production Firestore in Datastore mode instance and delete unneeded indexes. This page guides you through installing the emulator, starting the emulator, and setting environment variables to connect your application to the emulator. https://cloud.google.com/datastore/docs/tools/datastore-emulator
  15. vcafe 👍 3
    C is correct. Just validated it. If you try gcloud components install, you will get an error and point you to run apt-get install. See below. gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator ERROR: (gcloud.components.install) You cannot perform this action because the Cloud SDK component manager is disabled for this installation. You can run the following command to achieve the same result for this installation: sudo apt-get install google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator
  16. Eshkrkrkr 👍 3
    The answer is C. When you install SDK using apt Cloud SDK Component Manager is disabled and you need to install extra packages again using apt. https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/components#managing_cloud_sdk_components Note: These instructions will not work if you have installed Cloud SDK using a package manager such as APT or yum because Cloud SDK Component Manager is disabled when using that method of installation.
  17. Biju1 👍 3
    Answer C Last login: Sun Apr 18 14:48:59 2021 from 74.125.45.70 bijumathewt@instance-1:~$ sudo apt-get install google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done E: Unable to locate package google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator bijumathewt@instance-1:~$
  18. PhilipAWS 👍 3
    D is right choice Baby :) - The Datastore emulator is a component of the Google Cloud SDK's gcloud tool. Use the gcloud components install command to install the Datastore emulator: gcloud components install cloud-datastore-emulator
  19. filco72 👍 3
    Though https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/downloads-apt-get reports that on Ubuntu or Debian use apt or yum. Therefore C
  20. STomar 👍 3
    Answer is D. Refer: https://cloud.google.com/datastore/docs/tools/datastore-emulator
  21. JelloMan 👍 3 Answered C
    C all the way. Read above comments from people that have already tried this.
  22. ritzheg 👍 3
    Sorry its C. https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install#deb
  23. Eshkrkrkr 👍 3
    Lol, it's just a typo.
  24. raidenrock 👍 3
    that'd D
  25. alpharomeo9 👍 2
    For further you can find here https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install go to point number 4 on debian/ubuntu. It says Optionally, install any of these additional components: google-cloud-sdk-app-engine-python google-cloud-sdk-app-engine-python-extras google-cloud-sdk-app-engine-java google-cloud-sdk-app-engine-go google-cloud-sdk-bigtable-emulator google-cloud-sdk-cbt google-cloud-sdk-cloud-build-local google-cloud-sdk-datalab google-cloud-sdk-datastore-emulator google-cloud-sdk-firestore-emulator google-cloud-sdk-pubsub-emulator kubectl For example, the google-cloud-sdk-app-engine-java component can be installed as follows: sudo apt-get install google-cloud-sdk-app-engine-java

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