GSP131

Overview

In this lab, you learn how to store and query data in Datastore using the Google Cloud console.

Setup and requirements

Before you click the Start Lab button

Read these instructions. Labs are timed and you cannot pause them. The timer, which starts when you click Start Lab, shows how long Google Cloud resources are made available to you.

This hands-on lab lets you do the lab activities in a real cloud environment, not in a simulation or demo environment. It does so by giving you new, temporary credentials you use to sign in and access Google Cloud for the duration of the lab.

To complete this lab, you need:

• Access to a standard internet browser (Chrome browser recommended).

Note: Use an Incognito (recommended) or private browser window to run this lab. This prevents conflicts between your personal account and the student account, which may cause extra charges incurred to your personal account.

• Time to complete the lab—remember, once you start, you cannot pause a lab.

Note: Use only the student account for this lab. If you use a different Google Cloud account, you may incur charges to that account.

How to start your lab and sign in to the Google Cloud console

1. Click the Start Lab button. If you need to pay for the lab, a dialog opens for you to select your payment method. On the left is the Lab Details pane with the following:

   • The Open Google Cloud console button
   • Time remaining
   • The temporary credentials that you must use for this lab
   • Other information, if needed, to step through this lab

2. Click Open Google Cloud console (or right-click and select Open Link in Incognito Window if you are running the Chrome browser).

   The lab spins up resources, and then opens another tab that shows the Sign in page.

   Tip: Arrange the tabs in separate windows, side-by-side.

   Note: If you see the Choose an account dialog, click Use Another Account.

3. If necessary, copy the Username below and paste it into the Sign in dialog.

   {{{user_0.username | "Username"}}}

   You can also find the Username in the Lab Details pane.

4. Click Next.

5. Copy the Password below and paste it into the Welcome dialog.

   {{{user_0.password | "Password"}}}

   You can also find the Password in the Lab Details pane.

6. Click Next.

   Important: You must use the credentials the lab provides you. Do not use your Google Cloud account credentials. Note: Using your own Google Cloud account for this lab may incur extra charges.

7. Click through the subsequent pages:

   • Accept the terms and conditions.
   • Do not add recovery options or two-factor authentication (because this is a temporary account).
   • Do not sign up for free trials.

After a few moments, the Google Cloud console opens in this tab.

Note: To access Google Cloud products and services, click the Navigation menu or type the service or product name in the Search field.

Task 1. Store data

1. In left menu on the Console, Navigate to Databases section, go to Datastore > +CREATE A FIRESTORE DATABASE.

2. In the Configuration options, select Firestore with Datastore compatibility.

3. Now choose where you'll create your database. Use the dropdown menu to select a location:

The location applies to both Cloud Datastore and App Engine for your Google Cloud project. You cannot change the location after it has been saved.

4. Click CREATE DATABASE.

5. Click +Create Entity.

6. On the Create an entity page, use [default] for Namespace.

7. Type Task for Kind.

8. Under Properties use the Add property button to add these properties, and click Done after each one:

Name	Type	Value	Indexed
description	String	Learn Google Cloud Datastore	✕
created	Date and time	(today's date)	✓
done	Boolean	False	✓

Your creation page should now look like this:

9. Click Create. The console displays the Task entity that you just created.

You just stored data in Cloud Datastore!

Test completed task

Click Check my progress to verify your performed task. If you have completed the task successfully you will granted with an assessment score.

Create Entity.

Task 2. Run a query

Cloud Datastore supports querying data by kind or by Google Query Language (GQL); the instructions below walk you through the steps of doing both.

Run kind queries

1. Click Query by kind.
2. Select Task as the kind.

The query results show the Task entity that you created.

3. Next, add a query filter to restrict the results to entities that meet specific criteria:

• Click ADD TO QUERY dropdown.
• In the dropdown lists, select WHERE, done, == (Equal to), Boolean and false.
• Click Run.
• The results show the Task entity that you created, since its done value is false.

4. Now try a query of WHERE, done, == (Equal to), Boolean and true. The results do not include the Task entity that you created, because its done value is not true.

Run GQL queries

1. Click the Query by GQL tab.
2. In the query box add the following:

SELECT * FROM Task Note: Task is case sensitive.

3. Click Run query.

The query results show the Task entity that you created.

Note: The GQL query editor supports autocompletion for kinds. When you need to type a kind name, press Ctrl+Space to see a list of the available kinds. Up to 300 alphabetically sorted kinds can appear in the list. For better matches of kinds, type one or more characters.

4. Now add a query filter to restrict the results to entities that meet specific criteria.

Run this query:

SELECT * FROM Task WHERE done=false Note: Task and done are case sensitive.

The results show the Task entity that you created, since its done value is false.

5. Now run this query:

SELECT * FROM Task WHERE done=true

The results do not include the Task entity that you created, because its done value is not true.

Task 3. Test your understanding

Below are multiple-choice questions to reinforce your understanding of this lab's concepts. Answer them to the best of your abilities.

Congratulations!

You learned how to store and query data in Datastore using the Google Cloud console.

Next steps / learn more

This lab is also part of a series of labs called Qwik Starts. These labs are designed to give you a little taste of the many features available with Google Cloud. Search for "Qwik Starts" in the lab catalog to find the next lab you'd like to take!

Google Cloud training and certification

...helps you make the most of Google Cloud technologies. Our classes include technical skills and best practices to help you get up to speed quickly and continue your learning journey. We offer fundamental to advanced level training, with on-demand, live, and virtual options to suit your busy schedule. Certifications help you validate and prove your skill and expertise in Google Cloud technologies.

Manual Last Updated April 16, 2025

Lab Last Tested April 16, 2025

Copyright 2025 Google LLC. All rights reserved. Google and the Google logo are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.