The Enterprise edition of Snowflake allows for a dedicated metadata store, providing additional features designed for large-scale enterprises

Query pruning in Snowflake is the mechanism used to limit the number of micro-partitions scanned by a query. By analyzing the filters and conditions applied in a query, Snowflake can skip over micro-partitions that do not contain relevant data, thereby reducing the amount of data processed and improving query performance. This technique is particularly effective for large datasets and is a key component of Snowflake's performance optimization features.
Reference:
Snowflake Documentation: Query Performance Optimization

Snowpipe uses key-based authentication for its REST endpoints. This involves generating and using a key pair (public and private keys) to securely authenticate API requests.
Generate Key Pair: Generate a public and private key pair.
Register Public Key: Register the public key with the Snowflake user that will be making the API requests.
Authenticate Requests: Use the private key to sign API requests sent to Snowpipe REST endpoints.
Reference:
Snowflake Documentation: Key Pair Authentication & Key Rotation
Snowflake Documentation: Using Snowpipe REST API

Snowflake's Data Exchange allows data providers to publish data that is accessible only to users they explicitly invite. This mechanism ensures that only approved users or Snowflake accounts have access, adding a layer of security and control. Invited users can query the shared data directly within their Snowflake account without requiring data copies, reducing redundancy and enhancing data accessibility within controlled boundaries. This selective sharing feature is part of Snowflake's secure data-sharing capabilities.

Snowflake applies egress charges in the case of database replication when data is transferred out of a Snowflake region to another region or cloud provider. This is because the data transfer incurs costs associated with moving data across different networks. Egress charges are not applied for data sharing within the same region, query result retrieval, or loading data into Snowflake, as these actions do not involve data transfer across regions.
Reference:
[COF-C02] SnowPro Core Certification Exam Study Guide
Snowflake Documentation on Data Replication and Egress Charges1