Which node in Azure Synapse Analytics handles the computational workload?

The correct answer is the compute node in Azure Synapse Analytics, as this is the component specifically designed to handle the computational workload associated with data processing. In this architecture, the compute node is responsible for executing queries and performing data transformations. It manages the execution of operations on the data stored within the system, leveraging the distributed architecture to scale out processing capabilities depending on the workload.

The compute node works in tandem with the storage layer; while the storage node holds and manages the data, it is the compute node that performs the heavy lifting during data analysis and processing inquiries. This separation allows for efficient scaling of resources and better performance as workloads fluctuate. Recognizing the role of the compute node is crucial for understanding how Azure Synapse can optimize data analytics tasks efficiently.