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SQL_Server_Interview_QA

The document contains a comprehensive list of SQL Server interview questions and answers categorized into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Key topics include SQL Server definitions, types of JOINs, normalization, indexing, deadlocks, and error handling. It serves as a resource for candidates preparing for SQL Server-related job interviews.

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mahi
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2 views2 pages

SQL_Server_Interview_QA

The document contains a comprehensive list of SQL Server interview questions and answers categorized into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Key topics include SQL Server definitions, types of JOINs, normalization, indexing, deadlocks, and error handling. It serves as a resource for candidates preparing for SQL Server-related job interviews.

Uploaded by

mahi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SQL Server Interview Questions and Answers

Basic Level Questions

Q: What is SQL Server?

A: SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft that stores and retrieves

data as requested by other software applications.

Q: What are the different types of JOINs in SQL Server?

A: INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, FULL JOIN, CROSS JOIN, SELF JOIN.

Q: What is the difference between DELETE, TRUNCATE, and DROP?

A: DELETE: Removes rows, can rollback, affects only data.

TRUNCATE: Removes all rows, cannot rollback, resets identity.

DROP: Deletes the table completely including schema.

Q: What is a primary key?

A: A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table and does not allow NULL values.

Q: What is the difference between a clustered and a non-clustered index?

A: Clustered index sorts and stores rows in table; non-clustered index stores pointers to rows.

Intermediate Level Questions

Q: What is normalization? Explain its types.

A: Normalization organizes data to reduce redundancy.

1NF: Atomic columns, 2NF: Remove partial dependencies, 3NF: Remove transitive dependencies, BCNF: Stronger

3NF.

Q: What is a view in SQL Server?

A: A view is a virtual table based on the result of a SELECT query.

Q: What are stored procedures?

A: Precompiled set of SQL statements for performance and reuse.

Q: How do you handle exceptions in SQL Server?

A: Use TRY...CATCH blocks to catch and handle errors.

Q: What is a CTE?

A: A Common Table Expression (CTE) is a temporary result set defined within the execution scope of a query.
SQL Server Interview Questions and Answers

Advanced Level Questions

Q: What is indexing and how does it impact performance?

A: Indexes improve read performance but may slow down write operations.

Q: What is a deadlock? How to resolve it?

A: A deadlock is when two sessions wait on each other's resources. Resolve by optimizing queries and minimizing

locking.

Q: What is the difference between RAISERROR and THROW?

A: RAISERROR is older, THROW is newer (SQL 2012+), simpler and preferred for error handling.

Q: What is the difference between temp tables and table variables?

A: Temp tables support transactions and statistics; table variables are scoped and lightweight.

Q: Explain replication in SQL Server.

A: Replication copies data between databases. Types: Snapshot, Transactional, Merge.

Q: What are SQL Server isolation levels?

A: Read Uncommitted, Read Committed, Repeatable Read, Serializable, Snapshot - control transaction visibility.

Q: What is SQL Server Agent?

A: It automates jobs like backups and tasks.

Q: What are triggers? Types?

A: Triggers are automatic responses to events. Types: DML (AFTER, INSTEAD OF), DDL.

Q: What is partitioning in SQL Server?

A: Partitioning splits a large table into smaller parts for better performance.

Q: How do you optimize a slow-performing SQL query?

A: Use execution plans, avoid SELECT *, use indexing, simplify queries, reduce subqueries.

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