SQL Interview Questions and Answers

Last updated on Feb 06, 2023
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SQL Interview Questions

SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a language that is used to interact or communicate with a database. This language assists in performing tasks like retrieval, insertion, updating, and deletion of data from databases. This information is commonly asked in SQL interview questions. An ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard, SQL helps developers execute queries, insert records in tables, update records, create databases, create tables, or delete tables.

No doubt other programming languages such as ASP, PHP, and ColdFusion helped in making the Internet very dynamic, but SQL has revolutionized how users interact with websites in general. Any reputed webpage that allows the user to provide content uses SQL.

Most Frequently Asked SQL Interview Questions

Here in this article, we will be listing frequently asked SQL Interview Questions and Answers with the belief that they will be helpful for you to gain higher marks. Also, to let you know that this article has been written under the guidance of industry professionals and covered all the current competencies.

Q1. What is SQL and explain its components?
Answer

SQL is a standard language which is used to accessing and manipulating databases. It stands for Structured Query Language. It can be used to develop a web application for a server-side scripting language, like ASP, PHP, etc.

It consists of three components that are listed below:-

  • Data Definition Language.
  • Data Manipulation Language.
  • Data Control Language.
Q2. Explain the types of joins in SQL?
Answer

In SQL, Joins is used to merge records from two or more tables in a database, based on a related column between them.

 

Here are the four types of the joins in SQL

  • INNER JOIN: It returns records that have matching values in both tables
  • LEFT JOIN: It returns all records from the left table and the matched records from the right table
  • RIGHT JOIN: Right Join returns all records from the right table and the matched records from the left table
  • FULL JOIN: It returns all records when there is a match in either left or right table
Q3. What is a Primary key? Explain
Answer

A primary key is a column in a table that designated to uniquely identifies the rows in that table. Primary key holds a unique value for each row and cannot contain null values.

Q4. Explain Constraints in SQL?
Answer

It is a rule used to limit the type of data that can insert into a table, to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the data inside the table.

It can be divided into two types.

  • Column level constraints
  • Table-level constraints

These are the most common constraints that can be applied to a table.

  • NOT NULL
  • DEFAULT
  • UNIQUE
  • PRIMARY KEY
  • FOREIGN KEY etc
Q5. What is the difference between HAVING and a WHERE in SQL?
Answer

WHERE clause is used for filtering rows, and it applies to every row but HAVING term is used to filter groups.

WHERE can be used without the GROUP BY but HAVING clause cannot be used without the GROUP BY.

Q6. Explain the difference between SQL and MySQL.
Answer
  • Mysql is available free because it is open source, but SQL is not an open source.
  • Mysql offers updateable views, but SQL offers indexed views which are more powerful.
  • Mysql does not support XML, but SQL supports XML.
  • Mysql not supported Auto tuning but SQL can.
  • Mysql did not support User-defined functions, but SQL supported.
  • Mysql support Transaction is very much limited but SQL support extensively and entirely offered.
  • Mysql not offered Stored procedures and full joins but offered in SQL.
  • Mysql does not support Cursor feature but is there in SQL
Q7. What is Trigger in SQL? Explain
Answer

In SQL, a trigger is a database object that is associated with a table. It will be activated when a defined action is executed for the table. It can be performed when you run one of the following SQL like INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE occurred in a table. It's activation time can be BEFORE or AFTER.

Q8. Explain Normalization and what are the advantages of it?
Answer

It is a systematic approach of decomposing tables to remove data redundancy and undesirable characteristics like Insertion, Update and Deletion. Normalization is a multi-step process that put data into the tabular form and removing duplicated data from the tables.

Advantages
  • It helps to the reduction of redundant data.
  • It has a much more flexible database design.
  • It is better to handle on database security.
  • It is dealing with data consistency within the database.
Rule of Normalization
  • 1NF(First Normal Form)
  • 2NF(Second Normal Form)
  • 3NF(Third Normal Form)
  • BCNF(Boyce and Codd Normal Form)
  • 4NF(Fourth Normal Form)
Q9. How to find 3rd highest salary of an employee from the employee table in SQL?
Answer

SELECT salary FROM employee e1 WHERE 3-1 = (SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT salary) FROM employee e2 WHERE e2.salary > e1.salary)

 

Our updated SQL interview questions queries for freshers are the best online resource to help you prepare for the upcoming interviews.

Q10. Explain ALIAS in SQL?
Answer

It is used to rename a table in a specific SQL statement. Renaming is a temporary change without change actual table name in the database. It can be applied to tables as well as fields.

The basic syntax of a table alias
SELECT field1, field2 FROM TABLE_NAME AS TABLE WHERE "WRITE_YOUT_CONDITION";

The basic syntax of a column alias
SELECT field1 AS column1 FROM TABLE_NAME WHERE "WRITE_YOUT_CONDITION";

Reviewed and verified by Baliram Prasad
Baliram Prasad

Baliram Prasad is a Technical Lead in Coldfusion. I am working closely with B2C and B2B Clients. I am having 13+ years of experience. I love programming and most of my time goes in learning the best w...