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SQL Interview Questions

The document provides a comprehensive overview of SQL concepts, including the differences between SQL and MySQL, ACID properties, indexing types, and query performance improvement techniques. It also explains various SQL functions, transactions, and the types of JOINs available. Additionally, it includes SQL code snippets for practical examples such as finding duplicate records and retrieving the second highest salary.

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184Sandhya
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4 views

SQL Interview Questions

The document provides a comprehensive overview of SQL concepts, including the differences between SQL and MySQL, ACID properties, indexing types, and query performance improvement techniques. It also explains various SQL functions, transactions, and the types of JOINs available. Additionally, it includes SQL code snippets for practical examples such as finding duplicate records and retrieving the second highest salary.

Uploaded by

184Sandhya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1. What is the difference between SQL and MySQL?

Answer: SQL is a language used for managing databases, while MySQL is a relational database

management system that uses SQL.

2. Explain ACID properties in SQL.

Answer:

- Atomicity: Ensures complete transactions or none at all.

- Consistency: Maintains database integrity.

- Isolation: Transactions are independent.

- Durability: Completed transactions persist even after a system failure.

3. What is the difference between clustered and non-clustered indexes?

Answer: A clustered index sorts and stores data rows in the table based on the key, while a

non-clustered index creates a separate structure from the data row.

4. How do you find duplicate records in a table?

Answer:

```sql

SELECT column_name, COUNT(*)

FROM table_name

GROUP BY column_name

HAVING COUNT(*) > 1;

```

5. What is a CTE (Common Table Expression)?

Answer: A CTE is a temporary result set defined using WITH clause, used for simplifying complex

joins and subqueries.


6. What are window functions?

Answer: Functions like ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), and LAG() that perform calculations across a set

of table rows related to the current row.

7. How do you improve SQL query performance?

Answer:

- Use indexes

- Avoid SELECT *

- Use WHERE clauses to filter early

- Avoid unnecessary joins

- Use EXISTS instead of IN where appropriate

8. What is the difference between IN and EXISTS?

Answer: IN is faster for small lists. EXISTS is better for checking presence in correlated subqueries

with larger data sets.

9. What is normalization and denormalization?

Answer: Normalization reduces redundancy and ensures data integrity. Denormalization increases

redundancy for faster read performance.

10. What is the difference between RANK() and DENSE_RANK()?

Answer: RANK() leaves gaps in ranking when there are ties, while DENSE_RANK() does not.

11. What is a surrogate key?

Answer: A surrogate key is an artificial key (usually an auto-increment number) used instead of a

natural key.
12. How would you retrieve the second highest salary from a table?

Answer:

```sql

SELECT MAX(salary)

FROM employees

WHERE salary < (SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees);

```

13. What are transactions and how are they controlled?

Answer: A transaction is a logical unit of work. It is controlled using COMMIT, ROLLBACK, and

SAVEPOINT.

14. Explain the difference between DELETE, TRUNCATE, and DROP.

Answer:

- DELETE removes specific rows and can be rolled back.

- TRUNCATE removes all rows and cannot be rolled back.

- DROP deletes the table structure entirely.

15. What are the types of JOINs in SQL?

Answer:

- INNER JOIN

- LEFT JOIN

- RIGHT JOIN

- FULL OUTER JOIN

- CROSS JOIN

- SELF JOIN

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