Top Microsoft SQL Server Interview Questions and Answers

Here are top Microsoft SQL Server interview questions,


1. What is Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It is used to store and manage data in a structured format.

 

2. How do you create a new database in SQL Server?

To create a new database in SQL Server, you can use the following SQL query:

      ```sql

      CREATE DATABASE database_name;

      ```

 

3. How do you connect to a SQL Server database using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)?

Open SSMS, click "Connect" in the "Connect to Server" window, then select the appropriate server name and authentication method (e.g., Windows Authentication or SQL Server Authentication).

 

4. What is the command to create a new table in SQL Server?

To create a new table in SQL Server, use the following SQL query:

      ```sql

      CREATE TABLE table_name (

          column1 datatype constraints,

          column2 datatype constraints,

          ...

      );

      ```

 

5. How do you insert data into a SQL Server table?

To insert data into a table, use the `INSERT INTO` statement as follows:

      ```sql

      INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2, ...)

      VALUES (value1, value2, ...);

      ```

 

6. What is the difference between `CHAR` and `VARCHAR` data types in SQL Server?

`CHAR` is a fixed-length string type, while `VARCHAR` is a variable-length string type in SQL Server. `VARCHAR` will use only as much storage as needed, whereas `CHAR` will always use the specified length.

 

7. How can you retrieve all records from a table in SQL Server?

You can use the `SELECT` statement without specifying any conditions to retrieve all records:

      ```sql

      SELECT * FROM table_name;

      ```

 

8. What is the purpose of the `WHERE` clause in SQL Server?

The `WHERE` clause is used to filter records in a `SELECT`, `UPDATE`, or `DELETE` statement based on specified conditions.

 

9. How do you update data in a SQL Server table?

To update data in a table, use the `UPDATE` statement as follows:

      ```sql

      UPDATE table_name

      SET column1 = value1, column2 = value2, ...

      WHERE condition;

      ```

 

10. How can you delete records from a SQL Server table?

To delete records from a table, use the `DELETE FROM` statement along with the `WHERE` clause to specify the condition for deletion:

       ```sql

       DELETE FROM table_name

       WHERE condition;

       ```

 

11. What is the use of the `TOP` clause in SQL Server?

The `TOP` clause is used to restrict the number of rows returned by a `SELECT` query. It helps in pagination or when you want to retrieve a specific number of rows.

 

12. How do you add a new column to an existing SQL Server table?

To add a new column to an existing table, use the `ALTER TABLE` statement:

       ```sql

       ALTER TABLE table_name

       ADD column_name datatype constraints;

       ```

 

13. How can you define a primary key when creating a table in SQL Server?

You can define a primary key using the `PRIMARY KEY` constraint within the `CREATE TABLE` statement:

       ```sql

       CREATE TABLE table_name (

           column1 datatype PRIMARY KEY,

           column2 datatype,

           ...

       );

       ```

 

14. What is the `IDENTITY` property used for in SQL Server?

The `IDENTITY` property is used with a numeric column to automatically generate a unique value for each new row added to the table.

 

15. How do you create an index in SQL Server?

To create an index on a column for faster data retrieval, use the `CREATE INDEX` statement:

       ```sql

       CREATE INDEX index_name ON table_name (column_name);

       ```

 

16. Explain the concept of foreign keys in SQL Server.

In SQL Server, foreign keys establish a relationship between two tables, where the column with a foreign key references the primary key of another table.

 

17. What is the difference between `INNER JOIN` and `LEFT JOIN` in SQL Server?

`INNER JOIN` returns only the rows that have matching values in both tables, while `LEFT JOIN` returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table.

 

18. How can you perform a backup and restore in SQL Server?

To perform a backup, you can use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or T-SQL commands like `BACKUP DATABASE`, and to restore the backup, use `RESTORE DATABASE`.

 

19. What is the purpose of the `HAVING` clause in SQL Server?

The `HAVING` clause is used to filter the results of aggregate functions in a `GROUP BY` query, similar to the `WHERE` clause for individual rows.

 

20. How do you drop a table in SQL Server?

To drop a table and remove it from the database, use the `DROP TABLE` statement:

       ```sql

       DROP TABLE table_name;

       ```

 

Above are few top Microsoft SQL Server interview questions. Remember to prepare and expand on these answers.

Good luck with your interview!  👍

 

Post a Comment

0 Comments