this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2023
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SQL - any and all

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Are there patterns one learns to solve SQL interview questions (or tasks in general)? (self.sql)
submitted 11 months ago by biofaust to c/sql
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I recently tried my hand at an advanced online SQL test for a io position. Time-trial, non-autocompleting IDE, no human interaction. I failed miserably (0%) and I am fine with it. I have prepared myself with StrataScratch and the Mode tutorial, on top of my experience in querying GA4 data in BQ and other data for finance, sales and operations. . Although the resources are good to familiarize with SQL functions and structuring queries, I still feel that I am missing some kind of mindset that would enable me to tackle SQL questions irrespective of complexity. I don't want to know necessarily the details, if it is hard for you to explain, but I would like to know if there is such a state of mind to achieve. Of course, any description and resource is welcome.

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[–] Redacted 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It's difficult to give any advice without knowing the sort of questions you were asked, can you give any examples?

When I first learnt SQL I remember finding it really fiddly and kept making syntax errors due to it being so different to traditional programming.

I did loads of multiple choice practice tests where all the answers are very similar. So frustrating at first but helps to identify all the "gotchas" of the language.

These days it might be useful to paste your non-working query into ChatGPT and ask why it's incorrect.

[–] biofaust -1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I am familiar with the syntax and the differences from other languages. What I have been presented are problems challenging at a higher level of abstraction, in which for example a combinatorial problem needs to be solved in SQL. Just to be clear, I only barely code in Python and JS. I never solved such problems in those languages either.

[–] Redacted 2 points 11 months ago

I'm not sure what you mean by combinatorial problems?

I know you mentioned you didn't want to get into specifics, but it's really difficult to comprehend what you're struggling with without examples. Is there any reason you can just state a question you find difficult?

Presumably you understand basic SELECT statements? Is it JOINs or maybe group functions you are stuck on or something more advanced?