Most people struggle with database interview questions because they test your problem-solving abilities, accuracy, and attention to detail.
So, if you want to secure your future in the demanding field of database administration, prepare for the interview by reading this article. It covers the most important database interview questions and answers, which will help you improve your interview preparation for top software companies.
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The database interview questions are divided into several categories based on job roles. The upcoming segment will cover essential database interview questions and answers categorized under the following sections:
This section covers the most commonly asked general database interview questions:
BCNF refers to the Boyce Codd Normal Form, an advanced version of the third normal form that does not feature overlapping candidate keys.
RDBMS or Relational Database Management System is a relational data model that stores and gives access to data points. These data are represented through separate tables and related to the usage of a common column. Software developers can access this relational database through SQL or Structured Query Language.
DBMS, also known as Database Management System, is a collection of application programs. It allows users to organize and restore data effectively. Popular DBMSs include Oracle, MySQL, Sybase, etc.
Some of the advantages of DBMS are as follows:
Note – Make sure that you explain the advantages while answering such database interview questions.
Data redundancy is the duplication of information. The duplicate information wastes storage space and destroys the integrity of a database.
A process of eliminating redundant information from the database is known as normalization. Software developers split the table to maintain data integrity and save storage space.
Whether you are a fresher or experienced tester, go through the following database interview questions that will help you crack your upcoming interview:
Database testing is also known as backend testing and features three categories:
The data-driven test checks the multiple numbers of data in a table. It replaces the parameters from distinct locations at the same time.
Joins exhibit two or more than two tables and are primarily of four types:
The database objects are indexes and are generated on columns. Different types of indexes are:
We should write a scripting process in VBScript to connect with the database and test the SQL queries.
If you aspire to become a database engineer or want to progress from an experienced database or data engineer to a higher hierarchy, prepare the following database engineer interview questions:
Data modeling involves a process of producing a visual representation of an overall information system or its part to connect structures and data points.
There are two types of design schemas, snowflake, and star schema, in data modeling.
NameNode stores information and checks multiple files across clusters. The actual data is not collected here and is stored in DataNodes.
It is a feature of Hadoop distribution that allows software developers to write Map-Reduce programs by utilizing various multiple programming languages such as Peal, Python, C++, etc.
Hadoop splits large files into the smallest data units, known as blocks. Block scanner checks the list of blocks available in DataNode to identify checksum errors.
Want to become a senior developer? Then consider going through the following database interview questions for senior developers.
Black-hat hackers use the SQL injection technique that hacks the data from databases or tables.
Trigger in database refers to the stored program. This automatically responds to the operations of DML by inserting, deleting, or updating.
We can use the following syntax to add several rows in Structured Query Language:
INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2,column3…)
VALUES
(value1, value2, value3…..),
(value1, value2, value3….),
 …
(value1, value2, value3);
We will add the keywords ‘INSERT INTO’ and enter the table’s name to add values. It will be followed by column lists and adding values for them. Then we will type the keyword ‘VALUE’ and provide the list of values.
Here’s how we can get the nth highest salary in SQL SERVER by utilizing the TOP keyword:
SELECT TOP 1 salary FROM ( SELECT DISTINCT TOP N salary FROM #Employee ORDER BY salary DESC ) AS temp ORDER BY salary
To get the nth highest salary in MYSQL, we can use the LIMIT keyword. Here’s the solution:
SELECT salary FROM Employee ORDER BY salary DESC LIMIT N-1, 1
By using alter command, we can insert a new column in the Structured Query Language:
ALTER TABLE employees ADD COLUMN contact INT(10);
You can also refer to top advanced SQL interview questions and answers to prepare for database interview questions.
Take a look at the database interview questions to get yourself ready for the interview for the database manager:
This is the most commonly asked question yet an important one. Keep your answer crisp yet relevant to the job you are being interviewed for. In addition to this, emphasize your education, work experience, additional interests beyond work, etc.
Try to answer this question based on situations since it displays your strength as managing a team based on each situation.
Highlight your expertise and knowledge in monitoring the performance metrics of a database.
Learn about the security guidelines and procedures to answer this question without errors.
You can answer this question based on your previous working experience displaying your mentorship capabilities.
Now that you already know about the common database interview questions for engineers, managers, and senior developers, scroll down and look at a few miscellaneous interview questions on database.
Practice these sample database interview questions to perform well during your next tech interview:
We hope this article gave you a clear idea about the database interview questions that a recruiter frequently asks. Practice answers to these questions to ace your interview.
Q1. What programming languages besides SQL must you know to crack the database interview questions?
To crack a database interview, you must be skilled with programming languages such as R and Python, besides SQL.
Q2. What advanced SQL questions must you prepare for technical interviews?
You must know the concepts of SQL like a key, stored procedures, parameters, commands, and functions. Besides, you must be adept at writing queries to organize and restore data from the database to prepare for technical interviews.
Q3. How to prepare for the basic database interview questions?
You can easily prepare for the basic database interview questions by looking at this list. Alternatively, you can enroll yourself in a reliable tech interview prep course.
Q4. What are the four contents of a database?
The four database contents are data, procedure, hardware, software, and database access language.
Q5. What are the six database objects?
The six objects in a database are relationships, tables, queries, macros, forms, and reports.
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