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SQL Server IntvuQA Sample

The document provides strategies for optimizing slow SQL queries, including the use of EXPLAIN, avoiding SELECT *, and implementing indexes. It explains clustered and non-clustered indexes, column-level encryption, handling bulk data in stored procedures, and the use of triggers for automation. Additionally, it covers exception handling in T-SQL and advanced SQL concepts like retrieving the 3rd highest salary and the use of window functions.

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4 views4 pages

SQL Server IntvuQA Sample

The document provides strategies for optimizing slow SQL queries, including the use of EXPLAIN, avoiding SELECT *, and implementing indexes. It explains clustered and non-clustered indexes, column-level encryption, handling bulk data in stored procedures, and the use of triggers for automation. Additionally, it covers exception handling in T-SQL and advanced SQL concepts like retrieving the 3rd highest salary and the use of window functions.

Uploaded by

revivetech15
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1. How do you optimize a slow-running SQL query?

Answer:

 Use EXPLAIN or SHOW PLAN to analyze execution

 Avoid SELECT *

 Use indexes on filter and join columns

 Minimize nested subqueries

 Use JOIN instead of correlated subqueries

Sample Code:

-- Avoid SELECT *

SELECT id, name FROM employees WHERE department_id = 5;

-- Use indexed columns in WHERE clause

CREATE INDEX idx_department_id ON employees(department_id);

📌 Indexing Strategies

2. What are clustered and non-clustered indexes?

Answer:

 Clustered Index: Sorts and stores data rows in the table based on the index key.

 Non-Clustered Index: Contains pointers to the actual data rows.

Sample Code:

-- Clustered Index

CREATE CLUSTERED INDEX idx_emp_id ON employees(emp_id);

-- Non-Clustered Index

CREATE NONCLUSTERED INDEX idx_dept_id ON employees(department_id);

🔐 Encryption & Security

3. How do you implement column-level encryption in SQL Server?

Answer: Use symmetric keys and certificates for encryption.

Sample Code:

-- Create a certificate and symmetric key

CREATE CERTIFICATE MyCert WITH SUBJECT = 'Data Encryption';


CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256 ENCRYPTION BY CERTIFICATE
MyCert;

-- Encrypt data

OPEN SYMMETRIC KEY MySymKey DECRYPTION BY CERTIFICATE MyCert;

UPDATE employees SET ssn_encrypted = EncryptByKey(Key_GUID('MySymKey'), ssn);

-- Decrypt data

SELECT ssn = CONVERT(varchar, DecryptByKey(ssn_encrypted)) FROM employees;

⚙️Stored Procedures & Bulk Processing

4. How do you handle bulk data in stored procedures?

Answer: Use table-valued parameters and batch operations.

Sample Code:

-- Table type

CREATE TYPE EmployeeType AS TABLE (emp_id INT, name VARCHAR(100));

-- Stored Procedure

CREATE PROCEDURE InsertEmployees

@EmpList EmployeeType READONLY

AS

BEGIN

INSERT INTO employees(emp_id, name)

SELECT emp_id, name FROM @EmpList;

END;

🔁 Triggers & Automation

5. What is a trigger and when would you use one?

Answer: A trigger is a special procedure that runs automatically in response to events like INSERT,
UPDATE, or DELETE.

Sample Code:

-- Audit trigger

CREATE TRIGGER trg_AuditInsert

ON employees
AFTER INSERT

AS

BEGIN

INSERT INTO audit_log(emp_id, action, timestamp)

SELECT emp_id, 'INSERT', GETDATE() FROM inserted;

END;

🧾 T-SQL & PL/SQL Scripting

6. How do you handle exceptions in T-SQL?

Answer: Use TRY...CATCH blocks.

Sample Code:

BEGIN TRY

-- risky operation

UPDATE employees SET salary = salary * 1.1 WHERE department_id = 5;

END TRY

BEGIN CATCH

PRINT 'Error occurred: ' + ERROR_MESSAGE();

END CATCH;

📊 Advanced SQL Concepts

7. How do you retrieve the 3rd highest salary from a table?

Answer: Use DENSE_RANK() or ROW_NUMBER().

Sample Code:

SELECT salary FROM (

SELECT salary, DENSE_RANK() OVER (ORDER BY salary DESC) AS rnk

FROM employees

) AS ranked

WHERE rnk = 3;

8. What is a window function?

Answer: Performs calculations across a set of rows related to the current row.

Sample Code:

SELECT emp_id, salary,

RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY department_id ORDER BY salary DESC) AS dept_rank


FROM employees;

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