Part - 2
Advanced SQL
Interview
Q A
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Krishan kumar
@Krishan kumar
How do you delete duplicates
in a SQL table?
Delete duplicates in a SQL:
To remove duplicates in a SQL table,
the ROW_NUMBER() function can be combined
with a CTE to identify and delete duplicate
records efficiently.
I want example to understand this concept
Example Scenario:
Suppose you have a table named Employees with
columns EmployeeID, FirstName, LastName, and
Email.
You want to delete rows with duplicate emails,
keeping only the first occurrence.
I noted some additional tips for you
Key Tips:
Tips:
Backup: Always back up your data before
performing delete operations to prevent data
loss.
Testing: Test the delete logic first with a
SELECT statement to confirm you're
identifying the correct rows.
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Counter Questions
umar
krishan k
1. How would you handle duplicates
if the table has a composite key?
Use the composite key columns in the
PARTITION BY clause.
For instance, if the duplicate is based on both
Email and PhoneNumber,
write PARTITION BY Email, PhoneNumber.
Next Question
2. What if you want to retain the
most recent duplicate based on a
timestamp?
Adjust the ORDER BY in ROW_NUMBER() to use
the timestamp in descending order (ORDER BY
Timestamp DESC),
ensuring the latest record is assigned
RowNum = 1.
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3. Can you delete duplicates without
using a CTE?
Yes, a subquery can be used.
But a CTE generally provides a cleaner and
more readable approach.
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4. What happens if the duplicate
criterion changes later?
Modify the PARTITION BY clause in
ROW_NUMBER() to reflect the new criteria,
Such as additional columns in the partition.
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5. How do you ensure
performance with large tables?
Ensure indexes are created on the columns in
PARTITION BY and ORDER BY clauses.
To improve query performance on large tables.
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