Top SQL Interview Questions and Answers

SQL Interview Questions at a Glance

Interviewers usually assess how well you understand SQL, from simple commands to how you apply it in real situations. Let’s look at some of the most common SQL interview questions based on different experience levels:

A. SQL Interview Questions for Freshers

• General SQL Concepts

As a beginner, the interviewer is likely to ask you to elucidate on what the abbreviation SQL stands for and how it can be applied to daily data management. They may ask SQL interview questions about databases, data types that might be stored in a database, and whether you've used any tools or engines in your coursework or job.

• SQL Commands and Usage

You should be comfortable with basic commands like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE. They may give you a couple of tasks to do, say, filter data with WHERE and order the data with ORDER BY. These types of basic SQL interview questions would be included to ensure you have a good sense of how SQL behaves.

• Keys and Rules in Tables

You should be prepared to explain what the term primary key, unique key or foreign key is. These terms are important for keeping the data structured the right way. They may also ask how constraints like NOT NULL or UNIQUE assist in keeping data clean.

• Joins and Handling Missing Data

You’ll likely get questions on combining data from different tables using joins like INNER JOIN or LEFT JOIN. Interviewers also ask how you’d deal with missing values in the data, so knowing how NULL works is useful.

B. SQL Interview Questions for Intermediate

• Working with Groups and Totals

You will likely be presented with questions about calculating totals or averages using SUM, AVG or COUNT. Employers are assessing if you know how to group data using GROUP BY, which is common in reports.

• Joins and Inside Queries

You may be asked questions about joining tables together and using queries inside other queries (subqueries); all are common methods of data analysis in projects, so the interviewers are looking for your ability to easily write those queries easily.

• Combining Results

You might be asked to join results using UNION or find differences using other methods. These types of SQL interview questions and answers show how you handle more than one SQL query result at a time.

• Improving Speed

Some questions may touch on how to make queries run faster. You don’t need to go too deep, but having a basic idea of things like indexes and keeping queries clean can help you stand out.

C. SQL Interview Questions for Experienced

In a senior-level technical SQL interview, you can expect questions that test your knowledge of SQL syntax, database design, query optimization, and problem-solving abilities using SQL. Other technical SQL interview question topics include:

• Enhancing Queries

If you've been working with SQL for any length of time, you can count on being asked about improving and speeding up your queries. SQL interview questions posed to inexperienced candidates will be more focused on how they deal with the slowdown of very large databases while keeping their processes sped up and efficient.

• Managing Data Changes

In addition, employers would like to see how you handle situations requiring more than one user to manage the same data. You might be asked broader committed questions like how you save a change, when you can apply a rollback, or how you address public safety with data revisions.

• Using Stored Procedures

Interviews might also involve complying with, or making use of, stored procedures and triggers which are good solutions for saving reusable SQL processes and automating some of the processes. Generally, interviewers want to learn if you utilize either in your practice.

• Solving Business Problems

When it comes to SQL interview questions for professionals/individuals with 5 years of experience, questions are less about definitions and more about scenarios in your past. So be prepared to talk about how you might have resolved a data problem, fixed or enhanced a report you previously created, or how you might have informed the decision-making process at a team level with SQL data.

A. SQL Interview Questions for Freshers

1. What is SQL?

SQL means Structured Query Language and is used to communicate with relational databases. It proposes a standardized way to interact with databases, allowing users to perform various operations on the data, including retrieval, insertion, updating, and deletion.

2. What are the different types of SQL commands?

• SELECT: Retrieves data from a database.
• INSERT: Adds new records to a table.
• UPDATE: Modifies existing records in a table.
• DELETE: Removes records from a table.
• CREATE: Creates a new database, table, or view.
• ALTER: Modifies the existing database object structure.
• DROP: Deletes an existing database object.

3. What is a primary key in SQL?

It is a unique identifier for each record in a table. It ensures that each row in the table has a distinct and non-null value in the primary key column. Primary keys enforce data integrity and create relationships between tables.

Did You Know? 🔍

Professionals with advanced SQL skills, such as database administrators and database architects, receive a median annual pay of $117,450, and the job growth outlook is 8% in the coming years. (Source - US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

4. What is a foreign key?

Foreign key is a field in one table referencing the primary key in another. It establishes a relationship between the two tables, ensuring data consistency and enabling data retrieval across tables.

5. Explain the difference between the DELETE and TRUNCATE commands

Professionals use the DELETE command to remove particular rows from a table based on a condition, allowing you to selectively delete records. TRUNCATE, on the other hand, removes all rows from a table without specifying conditions. TRUNCATE is faster and uses fewer system resources than DELETE, but does not log individual row deletions.

6. What is a JOIN in SQL, and what are its types?

A JOIN operation merges information from two or more tables by utilizing a common column that links them together. Various types of JOINs exist, like INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, and FULL JOIN. These JOIN variations dictate the manner in which data from the involved tables is paired and retrieved.

7. What do you mean by a NULL value in SQL?

A NULL value in SQL represents the absence of data in a column. It is not the same as an empty string or zero; it signifies that the data is missing or unknown. NULL values can be used in columns with optional data or when the data is unavailable.

8. Define a Unique Key in SQL

Often referred to as a unique constraint, a unique key guarantees that every value in a column (or a combination of columns) remains distinct and cannot be replicated within a table. In contrast to a primary key, a table has the flexibility to incorporate multiple unique keys.

9. What is a database?

A database is a systematically organized collection of data arranged into tables composed of rows and columns. Its primary purpose is to efficiently store, manage, and retrieve data.

10. Explain the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases

SQL databases are characterized by their use of structured tables and strict adherence to a predefined schema, making them ideal for managing structured data with a strong focus on data consistency and transaction support. In contrast, NoSQL databases are non-relational and excel in handling unstructured or semi-structured data, frequently employed for scalable, distributed, and adaptable data storage solutions.

In the following section, we take a look at the common intermediate SQL interview questions and answers so that you'll know what to expect from your interviewer.

B. SQL Interview Questions for Intermediate

11. What is a table and a field in SQL?

In SQL (Structured Query Language), a table is a structured data collection organized into rows and columns. Each column in a table is called a field, representing a specific attribute or property of the data.

12. Describe the SELECT statement

The SELECT statement fetches data from one or multiple tables. It enables you to specify the desired columns to retrieve, apply filters through the WHERE clause, and manage the result's sorting using the ORDER BY clause.

13. What is a constraint in SQL? 

A constraint in SQL defines rules or restrictions that apply to data in a table, ensuring data integrity. Common constraints include:

• PRIMARY KEY: Ensures the values' uniqueness in a column.
• FOREIGN KEY: Enforces referential integrity between tables.
• UNIQUE: Ensures the uniqueness of values in a column.
• CHECK: Defines a condition that data must meet to be inserted or updated.
• NOT NULL: Ensures that there are no NULL values in a column.

14. What is normalization in SQL?

Normalization is a method for streamlining data storage within a database, reducing redundancy, and enhancing data integrity. This approach entails dividing tables into more manageable, interrelated tables and establishing connections between them.

15. How do you use the WHERE clause?

The WHERE clause within SQL queries serves the purpose of selectively filtering rows according to specified conditions, thereby enabling you to fetch exclusively those rows that align with the criteria you define. For example:

SELECT * FROM employees WHERE department = 'HR';

16. What are indexes in SQL?

Indexes improve the speed of data retrieval operations. They provide a quick way to locate specific rows in a table by creating a sorted data structure based on one or more columns. Indexes are essential for optimizing SQL query performance.

17. Explain GROUP BY in SQL

The GROUP BY clause organizes rows from a table into groups based on the values in one or more columns. It is commonly employed alongside aggregate functions like SUM, COUNT, AVG, MIN, and MAX to perform computations on grouped data.

18. What is an SQL alias?

An SQL alias serves as a transitory label bestowed upon a table or a column within a query, primarily enhancing the clarity of query outcomes or simplifying the process of renaming columns for improved referencing. For example:

SELECT first_name AS "First Name", last_name AS "Last Name" FROM employees;

19. Explain ORDER BY in SQL

The ORDER BY clause is used to sort the result set of a SQL query based on one or more columns. You can specify each column's sorting order (ascending or descending). For example:

SELECT * FROM products ORDER BY price DESC;

20. Describe the difference between WHERE and HAVING in SQL

The WHERE clause restricts individual rows before they are grouped, such as when filtering rows prior to a GROUP BY operation. Conversely, the HAVING clause is utilized to filter groups of rows after they have been grouped, like filtering groups based on aggregate values.

21. What is a view in SQL?

An SQL view is essentially a virtual table that derives its data from the outcome of a SELECT query. Views serve multiple purposes, including simplifying intricate queries, enhancing data security through an added layer, and enabling the presentation of targeted data subsets to users, all while keeping the underlying table structure hidden.

22. What is a stored procedure?

A SQL stored procedure comprises precompiled SQL statements that can be executed together as a unified entity. These procedures are commonly used to encapsulate business logic, improve performance, and ensure consistent data manipulation practices.

23. What is a trigger in SQL?

An SQL trigger consists of a predefined sequence of actions that are executed automatically when a particular event occurs, such as when an INSERT or DELETE operation is performed on a table. Triggers are employed to ensure data consistency, conduct auditing, and streamline various tasks.

24. What are aggregate functions? Can you name a few?

Aggregate functions in SQL perform calculations on a set of values and return a single result.

• SUM: To calculate the sum of values in a column.
• COUNT: To count a column's number of rows or non-null values.
• AVG: To calculate the average of values in a column.
• MIN: To retrieve the minimum value in a column.
• MAX: To retrieve the maximum value in a column.

25. How do you update a value in SQL?

The UPDATE statement serves the purpose of altering pre-existing records within a table. It involves specifying the target table for the update, the specific columns to be modified, and the desired new values to be applied. For example:

UPDATE employees SET salary = 60000 WHERE department = 'IT';

26. What is a self-join, and how would you use it?

A self-join is a type of join where a table is joined with itself. It is useful when creating relationships within the same table, such as finding hierarchical relationships or comparing rows with related data.

27. Explain different types of joins with examples

• INNER JOIN: Gathers rows that have matching values in both tables.
• RIGHT JOIN: Gathers all rows from the right table and any matching rows from the left table.
• LEFT JOIN: Gathers all rows from the left table and any matching rows from the right table.
• FULL JOIN: Gathers all rows when there's a match in either table, including unmatched rows from both tables.

Example:

SELECT employees.name, departments.name

FROM employees

LEFT JOIN departments ON employees.department_id = departments.id;

28. What is a SQL subquery? 

A subquery refers to a query that is embedded within another query. It is often used in SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statements to retrieve data that is then used in the main query to perform operations like filtering or comparison.

For example, to find employees with salaries greater than the average salary:

SELECT name

FROM employees

WHERE salary > (SELECT AVG(salary) FROM employees);

29. How do you optimize SQL queries?

SQL query optimization involves improving the performance of SQL queries by reducing resource usage and execution time. Strategies include using appropriate indexes, optimizing query structure, and avoiding costly operations like full table scans.

30. What is the difference between UNION and UNION ALL?

UNION merges the outcomes of two or more SELECT statements, removing duplicate rows, whereas UNION ALL merges the results without removing duplicates. While UNION ALL is faster, it may include duplicate rows.

31. What are correlated subqueries?

It is a type of subquery that references columns from the surrounding outer query. This subquery is executed repeatedly, once for each row being processed by the outer query, and its execution depends on the outcomes of the outer query.

32. Explain ACID properties in SQL

ACID - Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability. They are essential properties that ensure the reliability and integrity of database transactions:

• Atomicity (single, indivisible unit of transactions)
• Consistency (transactions bring the DB from one consistent state to another)
• Isolation (transactions are isolated from each other)
• Durability (committed transactions are permanent and survive system failures.)

33. What is a transaction in SQL?

A transaction in SQL is a sequence of one or more SQL operations treated as a single unit of work. Transactions ensure that database operations are either completed successfully or rolled back entirely in case of failure.

34. How do you implement error handling in SQL?

Error handling in SQL is typically achieved using try-catch blocks (in SQL Server) or EXCEPTION blocks (in Oracle). These blocks allow you to handle and log errors gracefully to prevent application crashes.

35. What is a cursor, and how is it used?

In SQL, a cursor is a database element employed to fetch and control data one row at a time from a result set. Cursors are frequently used within stored procedures or triggers when it becomes necessary to process data sequentially.

36. Describe the data types in SQL

SQL supports various data types, including numeric, character, date/time, and binary types. Common data types include INT, VARCHAR, DATE, and BLOB, among others. Data types define the kind of values a column can hold.

37. Explain normalization and denormalization

Normalization is the method used to streamline data in a database, decreasing redundancy and enhancing data integrity. This procedure includes dividing large tables into smaller, interconnected ones to eliminate duplicated data. Conversely, denormalization is the deliberate act of introducing redundancy to enhance SQL query performance.

38. What is a clustered index?

A clustered index in SQL determines the physical order of data rows in a table. Each table can have only one clustered index, which impacts the table's storage structure. Rows in a table are physically stored in the same order as the clustered index key.

39. How do you prevent SQL injection?

SQL injection represents a security flaw that arises when SQL queries mishandle untrusted data, posing a risk of unauthorized access or data tampering. To ward off SQL injection, employ techniques like parameterized queries, prepared statements, input validation, and the enforcement of stringent access controls.

Did You Know? 🔍

The job outlook for web developers and designers will grow by 8% between 2023 and 2033.🚀 (Source - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

40. What are the different types of triggers?

• DML triggers: These triggers fire in response to data manipulation language (DML) operations such as INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE.
• DDL triggers: These triggers fire in response to data definition language (DDL) events, such as table or view creation.

41. Explain the concept of a database schema

In SQL, a database schema is a conceptual container for housing various database elements, such as tables, views, indexes, and procedures. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the organization and segregation of these database elements while specifying their structure and interconnections.

42. How is data integrity ensured in SQL?

Data integrity in SQL is ensured through various means, including constraints (e.g., primary keys, foreign keys, check constraints), normalization, transactions, and referential integrity constraints. These mechanisms prevent invalid or inconsistent data from being stored in the database.

43. What is an SQL injection?

SQL injection is a cybersecurity attack method that involves inserting malicious SQL code into an application's input fields or parameters. This unauthorized action enables attackers to illicitly access a database, extract confidential information, or manipulate data.

44. How do you create a stored procedure?

You use the CREATE PROCEDURE statement to create a stored procedure in SQL. A stored procedure can contain SQL statements, parameters, and variables. Here's a simple example:

CREATE PROCEDURE GetEmployeeByID(@EmployeeID INT)

AS

BEGIN

   SELECT * FROM employees WHERE employee_id = @EmployeeID;

END;

45. What is a deadlock in SQL? How can it be prevented?

A deadlock in SQL occurs when two or more transactions cannot proceed because they are waiting for resources held by each other. Deadlocks can be prevented or resolved by using techniques such as locking hierarchies, timeouts, or deadlock detection and resolution mechanisms.

C. SQL Interview Questions for Experienced

46. Explain different isolation levels in SQL

Isolation levels define the visibility of data changes that one transaction makes to other concurrent transactions. There are four commonly used isolation levels in SQL:

• READ UNCOMMITTED: At this isolation level, transactions can read changes made by other transactions even if those changes have not been committed. While this provides the highest concurrency level, it also introduces the risk of encountering dirty reads.
• READ COMMITTED: In this level, transactions can only read committed data, avoiding dirty reads. However, it may still suffer from non-repeatable reads and phantom reads.
• REPEATABLE READ: Transactions at this level ensure that any data read during the transaction remains unchanged throughout the transaction's lifetime. It prevents non-repeatable reads but may still allow phantom reads.
• SERIALIZABLE: This represents the utmost isolation level, guaranteeing absolute isolation between transactions. While it eradicates all concurrency problems, locking mechanisms may reduce its efficiency.

47. How does a clustered index work, and how is it different from a non-clustered index?

A clustered index defines the actual storage order of rows within a table, allowing for only one clustered index per table and directly influencing the on-disk data organization. Conversely, a non-clustered index does not impact the physical arrangement of data and can coexist with multiple indexes within the same table.

• Clustered Index: When you create a clustered index on a table, the table's rows are physically rearranged to match the order of the indexed column(s). This makes range queries efficient but may slow down insert/update operations.
• Non-clustered Index: Non-clustered indexes are separate data structures that store a copy of a portion of the table's data and point to the actual data rows. They improve read performance but come with some overhead during data modification.

48. Discuss SQL Server Reporting Services

SQL Server Reporting Services is a reporting tool provided by Microsoft for creating, managing, and delivering interactive, tabular, graphical, and free-form reports. SSRS allows users to design and generate reports from various data sources, making it a valuable asset for businesses needing comprehensive reporting capabilities.

49. What are CTEs (Common table expressions)?

Common Table Expressions (CTEs) serve as momentary result sets that you can mention within SQL statements, typically found within SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE operations. They're established using the `WITH` keyword and are instrumental in streamlining intricate queries by dividing them into more digestible components.

50. Explain the MERGE statement

The SQL MERGE statement executes insertions, updates, or deletions on a target table, guided by the outcomes of a source table or query. It consolidates the functionalities of several individual statements (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) into one comprehensive statement, rendering it particularly valuable for achieving data synchronization between tables.

51. How do you use a window function in SQL?

Window functions are employed to perform computations on a group of table rows associated with the current row. They enable the generation of result sets containing aggregated data while retaining the distinct details of each row. Typical window functions encompass ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), DENSE_RANK(), and SUM() OVER().

52. What is a pivot table, and how do you create one in SQL?

A pivot table is a technique for rotating or transposing rows into columns to better analyze and summarize data. You can create pivot tables in SQL using the `PIVOT` operator to convert row-based data into a column-based format.

53. Describe the process of database mirroring

Database mirroring is a high-availability solution in SQL Server that involves creating and maintaining redundant database copies on separate servers. It ensures data availability and disaster recovery by automatically failing over to the mirror server in case of a primary server failure.

54. Explain the concept of table partitioning

Partitioning a table involves breaking down a sizable table into smaller, more easily handled segments known as partitions. This method can enhance SQL query efficiency by permitting the Server to focus solely on pertinent partitions while executing queries. Typically, partitioning uses a column characterized by a high cardinality, such as date or region.

55. How do you handle transactions in distributed databases?

Handling transactions in distributed databases involves ensuring the ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties across multiple databases or nodes. This can be achieved through distributed transaction management protocols like Two-Phase Commit (2PC) or by using distributed database systems designed for this purpose.

56. What is the use of the explain plan?

The EXPLAIN plan is a valuable feature in numerous relational database management systems. This tool offers a comprehensive view of the database engine's strategy for executing a query, encompassing details such as the selected execution plan, join techniques, index utilization, and projected costs. Database administrators (DBAs) and developers rely on EXPLAIN plans to enhance the performance of their queries.

57. Discuss SQL Server integration services (SSIS)

Microsoft provides SQL Server Integration Services as a powerful ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tool. It enables data integration from various sources, data transformation as needed, and data loading into destination systems like data warehouses or databases.

Gain the confidence to ace your next interview and master real-world skills. Join the SQL Certification Course today! ✍️

58. What are indexed views?

Indexed or materialized views are precomputed result sets stored as physical tables in the database. They improve query performance by allowing the database engine to access pre-aggregated or pre-joined data directly from the indexed view, reducing the need for complex query processing.

59. Explain the concept of database sharding

Database sharding is a horizontal partitioning technique that distributes data across multiple database instances or servers. It's commonly used in large-scale systems to improve scalability and performance. Each shard contains a subset of the data, and a sharding strategy determines how data is distributed.

60. How do you manage large-scale databases for performance?

Managing large-scale databases for performance involves various strategies, including proper indexing, partitioning, query optimization, hardware optimization, and caching. Monitoring and fine-tuning the database ensures optimal performance as data volumes grow.

61. What is a materialized view?

Materialized views are a type of database component designed to maintain the outcomes of a query in the form of a tangible table. These views undergo periodic updates to ensure that the stored data remains current. They enhance the efficiency of database queries, particularly for intricate or frequently executed ones.

62. Discuss the strategies for database backup and recovery

Ensuring data availability and disaster recovery relies on implementing vital backup and recovery strategies. These strategies encompass various methods, such as full backups, differential backups, transaction log backups, and regular testing of restoration stored procedures.

63. What are the best practices for securing a SQL database?

Securing a SQL database involves implementing access controls, encryption, auditing, and regular security assessments. Best practices include using strong authentication, limiting permissions, and keeping database systems and software up to date.

64. Explain the concept of database replication

Replication is copying and synchronizing data from one database to another. It ensures data availability, load balancing, and disaster recovery. Common replication types include snapshot, transactional, and merge replication.

65. How do you monitor SQL Server performance?

Monitoring SQL Server performance involves tracking key performance metrics, setting up alerts for critical events, and analyzing performance bottlenecks. Tools like SQL Server Profiler and Performance Monitor are commonly used.

66. What is a database warehouse?

A database warehouse is a centralized repository that stores data from various sources for analytical and reporting purposes. It is optimized for querying and analysis and often contains historical data.

67. Explain the use of full-text search in SQL

Full-text search in SQL allows users to search for text-based data within large text fields or documents. It uses advanced indexing and search algorithms to provide efficient and accurate text-searching capabilities.

68. How do you manage database concurrency?

Database concurrency involves a database system's capability to manage multiple concurrent transactions while upholding data integrity. To achieve this, various techniques such as locking mechanisms, optimistic concurrency control, and isolation levels are employed to oversee and regulate database concurrency.

69. What are the challenges in handling big data in SQL?

Handling big data in SQL involves dealing with large volumes of data that exceed the capabilities of traditional database systems. Challenges include data storage, processing, scalability, and efficient querying. Solutions may include distributed databases and big data technologies like Hadoop and Spark.

70. How do you implement high availability in SQL databases?

High availability in SQL databases ensures that the database remains accessible and operational despite failures. Techniques like clustering, replication, and failover mechanisms help achieve high availability.

71. Explain the use of XML data type in SQL Server

The XML data type allows for storing, retrieving, and manipulating XML data. It also provides support for querying XML documents using XQuery and is commonly used in applications that deal with XML data structures.

72. Discuss the concept of NoSQL databases and their interaction with SQL

NoSQL databases are non-relational databases for handling large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured data. They interact with SQL databases through various integration methods, such as data pipelines, ETL processes, and API-based data transfers.

73. What is a spatial database?

A spatial database stores and queries geometric and geographic data, such as maps, GPS coordinates, and spatial objects. It provides specialized functions and indexing methods to support spatial queries and analysis.

74. How do you migrate a database from one SQL server to another?

Database migration involves moving a database from one SQL server or platform to another. This undertaking demands careful planning, data transfer, schema conversion, and thorough testing to ensure a smooth transition while minimizing the potential for data loss or system downtime.

75. Discuss advanced optimization techniques for SQL queries

Advanced optimization techniques for SQL queries include using query hints, indexing strategies, query rewriting, and understanding the query execution plan. Profiling tools and performance monitoring are essential for identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks.

Conclusion

Proper preparation for SQL interview questions is important to making it through technical interviews, whether you are a fresh graduate or someone with years of experience. The best way to feel more comfortable with actual interviews is simply by practicing common SQL interview questions, starting with easy ones and then moving on to the harder ones. 

To improve your skills further, consider joining Simplilearn’s SQL Certification Course. It covers everything from basic to advanced concepts and is a great option for anyone serious about acquiring foundational SQL knowledge to help prepare for interviews.

FAQs

1. How can I start learning SQL?

Join Simplilearn’s SQL Certification Course. It covers basics, offers hands-on practice, and is great for beginners.

2. How should I prepare for an SQL interview?

Practice real queries, revise key concepts like SELECT and JOINs, and review common SQL interview questions and answers.