SQL Interview Questions – Complete Guide (67
Questions)
1. What is SQL?
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is the standard language used to communicate with relational
databases. Using SQL, developers and analysts can create tables, insert data, update existing records,
delete data, and retrieve information from databases. SQL is widely used in systems like MySQL,
PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Oracle.
2. What is a database?
A database is an organized collection of data that is stored electronically. Databases allow users to efficiently
store, retrieve, and manage large amounts of structured information. Most modern applications rely on
databases to store user data, transactions, and operational information.
3. What is a table in SQL?
A table is the basic storage structure in a relational database. It stores data in rows and columns. Each row
represents a record and each column represents an attribute of that record. Tables allow structured storage
and easy querying of information.
4. What is a Primary Key?
A Primary Key is a column or combination of columns that uniquely identifies each row in a table. It ensures
that no duplicate or NULL values exist in that column. Primary keys are essential for maintaining data integrity
and establishing relationships between tables.
5. What is a Foreign Key?
A Foreign Key is a column in one table that references the Primary Key in another table. It establishes a
relationship between two tables and ensures referential integrity. This means that the value in the foreign key
column must exist in the referenced table.
6. What is the difference between DELETE, TRUNCATE, and DROP?
DELETE removes selected rows from a table and can use a WHERE condition to filter rows. TRUNCATE
removes all rows from a table quickly but keeps the table structure. DROP completely deletes the table along
with its structure and data from the database.
7. What are SQL constraints?
Constraints are rules applied to table columns to enforce data accuracy and integrity. They ensure that only
valid data can be inserted into the database. Common constraints include NOT NULL, UNIQUE, PRIMARY
KEY, CHECK, and DEFAULT.
8. What is a Unique Key?
A Unique Key ensures that all values in a column are different from each other. It prevents duplicate values
but allows one or more NULL values depending on the database system. Multiple unique keys can exist
within a single table.
9. What is a Candidate Key?
A Candidate Key is a column or set of columns that can uniquely identify records in a table. A table may have
multiple candidate keys, but only one of them is selected as the Primary Key.
10. What is normalization?
Normalization is the process of organizing data into smaller related tables to reduce redundancy. It improves
data consistency and reduces duplication. Common normalization forms include First Normal Form (1NF),
Second Normal Form (2NF), and Third Normal Form (3NF).
11. What is SELECT statement?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
12. What is WHERE clause?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
13. What is GROUP BY?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
14. What is HAVING clause?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
15. What is ORDER BY?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
16. What is DISTINCT?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
17. What is JOIN in SQL?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
18. What is INNER JOIN?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
19. What is LEFT JOIN?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
20. What is RIGHT JOIN?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
21. What is FULL JOIN?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
22. What is CROSS JOIN?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
23. What is SELF JOIN?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
24. What are aggregate functions?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
25. What is COUNT function?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
26. What is SUM function?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
27. What is AVG function?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
28. What is MIN and MAX?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
29. What is a subquery?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
30. What is correlated subquery?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
31. What is a view?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
32. What is index?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
33. What is clustered index?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
34. What is non■clustered index?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
35. What are stored procedures?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
36. What are triggers?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
37. What is a transaction?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
38. What is COMMIT?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
39. What is ROLLBACK?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
40. What is SAVEPOINT?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
41. What is a schema?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
42. What is data integrity?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
43. What is referential integrity?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
44. What is data redundancy?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
45. What is denormalization?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
46. What is UNION?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
47. What is UNION ALL?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
48. What is difference between UNION and UNION ALL?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
49. What is CASE statement?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
50. What is window function?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
51. What is ROW_NUMBER?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
52. What is RANK function?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
53. What is DENSE_RANK?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
54. What is partition in SQL window functions?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
55. What is LIMIT?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
56. What is OFFSET?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
57. What is alias in SQL?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
58. What is COALESCE?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
59. What is NULL in SQL?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
60. What is IS NULL condition?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
61. What is EXISTS operator?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
62. What is IN operator?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
63. What is BETWEEN operator?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
64. What is LIKE operator?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
65. What are wildcards in SQL?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
66. What is performance tuning in SQL?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.
67. What is query optimization?
This concept is commonly used in SQL queries while retrieving and analyzing data from databases.
Understanding how it works helps analysts write efficient queries, reduce execution time, and correctly
manipulate data stored in relational tables. It is frequently asked in SQL interviews because it demonstrates
practical knowledge of how databases are queried in real-world data analysis tasks.