Top PostgreSQL Interview Questions and Answers

Here are top PostgreSQL interview questions,


1. What is PostgreSQL?

PostgreSQL is a powerful open-source object-relational database management system (ORDBMS) known for its robustness, extensibility, and SQL compliance.

 

2. How do you create a new database in PostgreSQL?

To create a new database, you can use the following SQL command:

      ```sql

      CREATE DATABASE database_name;

      ```

 

3. How do you connect to a PostgreSQL database using the command-line client?

You can connect to PostgreSQL using the command-line client `psql` with the following command:

      ```

      psql -U username -d database_name -h host -p port

      ```

      Replace `username`, `database_name`, `host`, and `port` with the appropriate values.

 

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

The SQL command to create a new table is as follows:

      ```sql

      CREATE TABLE table_name (

          column1 datatype constraints,

          column2 datatype constraints,

          ...

      );

      ```

 

5. How do you insert data into a PostgreSQL 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 PostgreSQL?

`CHAR` is a fixed-length string type, while `VARCHAR` is a variable-length string type in PostgreSQL. `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 PostgreSQL?

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 PostgreSQL?

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 PostgreSQL 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 PostgreSQL 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 `LIMIT` clause in PostgreSQL?

The `LIMIT` 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 PostgreSQL table?

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

       ```sql

       ALTER TABLE table_name

       ADD COLUMN new_column_name datatype constraints;

       ```

 

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

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 `SERIAL` data type used for in PostgreSQL?

The `SERIAL` data type is an auto-incrementing integer used to automatically generate a unique value for each new row added to the table.

 

15. How do you create an index in PostgreSQL?

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 PostgreSQL.

In PostgreSQL, 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 PostgreSQL?

`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 PostgreSQL?

To perform a backup, you can use the `pg_dump` utility, and to restore the backup, use the `psql` command with the SQL backup file.

 

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

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 PostgreSQL?

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

       ```sql

       DROP TABLE table_name;

       ```

 

Above are few top PostgreSQL interview questions. Remember to prepare and expand on these answers.

Good luck with your interview!  👍

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