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Basic SQL Interview Questions

The document provides an overview of basic SQL concepts including definitions of SQL, types of SQL commands (DDL, DML, DQL, DCL, TCL), and differences between key SQL functions like WHERE vs HAVING, DELETE vs TRUNCATE vs DROP, and JOIN types. It also explains the concepts of Primary Key and Foreign Key, as well as normalization and its forms. This serves as a foundational guide for SQL interview questions and answers.

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4 views3 pages

Basic SQL Interview Questions

The document provides an overview of basic SQL concepts including definitions of SQL, types of SQL commands (DDL, DML, DQL, DCL, TCL), and differences between key SQL functions like WHERE vs HAVING, DELETE vs TRUNCATE vs DROP, and JOIN types. It also explains the concepts of Primary Key and Foreign Key, as well as normalization and its forms. This serves as a foundational guide for SQL interview questions and answers.

Uploaded by

Lifecare Pathology Makhmalabad
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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Basic SQL Interview Questions & Answers

1. What is SQL?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is used to communicate with


relational databases. It is used to:

 Retrieve data (SELECT)

 Insert data (INSERT)

 Update data (UPDATE)

 Delete data (DELETE)

 Create/modify tables (DDL)

2. What are the different types of SQL commands?

Type Commands

DDL (Data Definition CREATE, ALTER, DROP,


Language) TRUNCATE

DML (Data Manipulation


INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE
Language)

DQL (Data Query Language) SELECT

DCL (Data Control Language) GRANT, REVOKE

TCL (Transaction Control COMMIT, ROLLBACK,


Language) SAVEPOINT

3. What is the difference between WHERE and HAVING?

 WHERE is used to filter rows before grouping.

 HAVING is used to filter groups after aggregation.

SELECT department, COUNT(*)

FROM employees

WHERE salary > 30000

GROUP BY department

HAVING COUNT(*) > 5;

4. What are Primary Key and Foreign Key?


 Primary Key: Uniquely identifies each record in a table. Cannot be
NULL.

 Foreign Key: A field in one table that refers to the Primary Key in
another.

5. What is the difference between DELETE, TRUNCATE, and DROP?

Comman
Description
d

Removes rows (can use WHERE). Can be


DELETE
rolled back.

TRUNCAT Removes all rows. Cannot be rolled back.


E Faster.

DRO Deletes the entire table and


P structure.

6. What is a JOIN? What are its types?

A JOIN is used to combine rows from two or more tables.

Type Description

INNER JOIN Returns matching rows

All rows from left + matching rows


LEFT JOIN
from right

RIGHT All rows from right + matching rows


JOIN from left

FULL JOIN All rows from both sides

SELF JOIN A table joins with itself

CROSS
Cartesian product (all combinations)
JOIN

Ex-

employees.name, departments.dept_name

FROM employees

INNER JOIN departments

ON employees.dept_id = departments.id;
7. What is normalization?

Normalization is the process of organizing data to:

 Reduce data redundancy

 Improve data integrity

Normal forms:

 1NF: Atomic values only

 2NF: No partial dependency (only full primary key dependency)

 3NF: No transitive dependency

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