Top 30+ MySQL Interview Questions

Introduction

As you prepare for your MySQL interview, consider the wide range of topics you may encounter. MySQL is a key tool in data management and analytics. This guide presents over 30 MySQL interview questions, covering both theory and practical skills. Topics range from basic definitions to complex query optimization. By reviewing these questions, you’ll gain a solid understanding of core MySQL concepts and their applications, helping you prepare for various database challenges you might face during the interview.

Overview

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of MySQL’s core concepts and features.
• Master practical query writing skills to efficiently manipulate and retrieve data.
• Gain expertise in optimizing and securing MySQL databases for improved performance.
• Learn best practices for database management and user privileges in MySQL.
• Enhance your ability to solve complex data problems with advanced SQL techniques.

Top 30+ MySQL Interview Questions

Let us now look into top 30+ MySQL Interview Questions one by one based on 3 levels – beginners, intermediate and advanced.

Beginner Level

Q1. What is MySQL?

A. Structured Query Language is used by MySQL, an open-source RDBMS, to manage and manipulate databases. It facilitates multi-user database access and is often utilized for online applications.

Q2. What are the different data types in MySQL?

A. MySQL defines several data types such as integers – INT, FLOAT, DOUBLE, and date and time – DATE, TIME, DATETIME; string – CHAR, VARCHAR, TEXT and others.

Q3. What is the use of the PRIMARY KEY in MySQL?

A. Every record in a table has a unique identifier called a primary key. It guarantees that the designated column(s) have no duplicate data and gives each row a unique identity.

Q4. What is a foreign key in MySQL?

A. A field (or group of fields) in one table that uniquely identifies a row in another table is called a foreign key. It is employed to keep two tables’ referential integrity intact.

Q5. Write a query to create a table named departments with columns id (INT) and name (VARCHAR).

CREATE TABLE departments (
  id INT PRIMARY KEY,
  name VARCHAR(50)
);

Q6. Write a query to add a foreign key to the employees table that references the departments table.

ALTER TABLE employees
ADD CONSTRAINT fk_department
FOREIGN KEY (department_id)
REFERENCES departments(id);

Q7. What are indexes in MySQL?

A. Special data structures called indexes speed up database table data retrieval processes. They can be applied to one or more columns and have a big impact on query speed.

Q8. What is a JOIN in MySQL, and what are its types?

A. To select data from two or more tables and displays it in one table forming rows from one table with another based on a common column is a join. There are four different types of joins: These are Full Outer Join, Left Join, Right Join, and Inner Join.

Q9. What is a subquery in MySQL?

A. A subquery is often used inside another query and is considered as a part of it. It is used to do operations in stages, and outcome of this subquery is utilized by the main query.

Q10. How can you optimize a MySQL query?

A. Query optimization can be achieved through; Indexing the correct columns, avoiding Select *, clever usage of Join’s, query performance analysis, and the optimization of the physical data model.

Q11. What is the purpose of the EXPLAIN statement in MySQL?

A. EXPLAIN gives information about how MySQL can process a query and the flowing query. It assists in discovering what the system plans to do within query processing and discovering what part is best for optimization.

Intermediate Level

Q12. What is query caching in MySQL?

A. Query caching is somewhat similar to content caching where instead of repeating the query it just gives back the value in cache memory to the user.

Q13. Write a query to analyze the performance of a SELECT statement using EXPLAIN.

EXPLAIN SELECT * FROM employees WHERE salary > 50000;

Q14. How can you secure a MySQL database?

A. MySQL security requires using powerful passwords, regulating users’ and their privileges properly, storing data in an encrypted form, frequently updating MySQL to eliminate the existing deficits, and using SSL/TLS for the connection.

Q15. What is SQL injection, and how can you prevent it in MySQL?

A. The common type of injection is SQL injection through which an attacker can input any SQL statement to the web site and can destroy the entire database or can extract confidential information from the web site’s database easily. It is prevented by always using the prepared statements with parameterized queries, input validation, and escaping the special characters.

Q16. What are some best practices for MySQL user management?

A. Measures that should be incorporated are the principle of least privilege, periodic review of users’ rights, strengthened passwords, and prohibition of the use of the root account for functional activities.

Q17. Write a query using a prepared statement to prevent SQL injection.

PREPARE stmt FROM 'SELECT * FROM employees WHERE name = ?';
SET @name = 'John Doe';
EXECUTE stmt USING @name;

Q18. What are some best practices for MySQL user management?

A. Examples of best practices are employing the principle of least privilege, auditing users’ rights and privileges, utilizing passwords, and steering clear of the root account for routine work.

Q19. How can you import and export data in MySQL?

A. Data can be imported with the help of LOAD DATA INFILE statement or mysqlimport utility and exporters with the help of SELECT INTO OUTFILE statement or mysqldump utility.

Q20. Write a query to export data from the employees table to a CSV file.

SELECT * FROM employees INTO OUTFILE '/path/to/file.csv'
FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',' ENCLOSED BY '"' LINES TERMINATED BY '\n';

Advanced Level

Q21. What is the MySQL Workbench?

A. MySQL Workbench is a graphical user interface tool that allows users to design, model, and manage databases visually. It supports database administration, development, and maintenance tasks.

Q22. Explain the difference between MySQL and MariaDB.

A. After Oracle acquired MySQL, the original crew continued to develop MariaDB, which is essentially a duplicate of MySQL. In terms of syntax and usage, MariaDB and MySQL are comparable in many ways, but they differ in other areas as well. These differences include extra functionality, improved performance, and alternative storage engines.

Q23. What is replication in MySQL?

A. In order to create a copy of the data from a master server to the slave server, replication involves running SQL queries that are received from another MySQL server. It is used as a load distribution mechanism, to provide backup or standby systems, and for system protection.

Q24. What is a VIEW in MySQL, and how is it used?

A. A VIEW is essentially another name for a virtual table that has the same SQL select statement as the query or the SELECT operation from which it was created. They employed it to reduce vast query complexity, wrap around a set of application rules and optimize security to allow only required information.

Q25. Write a query to create a view that shows employees’ names and their department names.

CREATE VIEW employee_department AS
SELECT employees.name AS employee_name, departments.name AS department_name
FROM employees
JOIN departments ON employees.department_id = departments.id;

Q26. How can you handle transactions in MySQL?

A. Data manipulation within a database is conducted through the use of the START TRANSACTION, COMMIT, and ROLLBACK statements. They provide ways to combine a series of SQL operations to occur atomicaly, thus giving it ACID properties.

Q27. Write a query to start a transaction, insert a new employee, and commit the transaction.

START TRANSACTION;
INSERT INTO employees (name, department_id, salary) VALUES ('Jane Doe', 2, 60000);
COMMIT;

Q28. Write a query to combine results from two tables using UNION.

SELECT name FROM employees
UNION
SELECT name FROM departments;

Q29. How can you find the second highest salary in a MySQL table?

SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees WHERE salary < (SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees);

Q30. What are MySQL triggers?

A. Database objects known as triggers are those that, in reaction to specific events on a given table or view, are automatically executed. They are employed in auditing, data validation, and business rule enforcement.

Q31. What is the difference between CHAR and VARCHAR data types?

A. CHAR is a fixed-length string data type, while VARCHAR is a variable-length string data type. CHAR is padded with spaces to match the defined length, whereas VARCHAR stores only the characters and an additional byte for the length.

Q32. Write a query to update the name of a department in the departments table.

UPDATE departments
SET name = 'New Department Name'
WHERE id = 1;

Q33. Write a query to perform an INNER JOIN between employees and departments tables.

SELECT employees.name, departments.name
FROM employees
INNER JOIN departments ON employees.department_id = departments.id;

Q34. What is the difference between DELETE, TRUNCATE, and DROP?

A. DELETE removes rows from a table based on a condition and can be rolled back. TRUNCATE removes all rows from a table, cannot be rolled back, and resets any auto-increment counter. DROP removes the table itself along with its structure and data.

Conclusion

We saw 30+ MySQL interview questions in this article. We discussed starting from basic conceptual analysis up to levels of working with joins, subqueries, and even performance issues. Comprised of the theoretical questions and the hands-on queries, the foundation that has been provided here will allow you to take on MySQL challenges with ease. In any case, whether you are facing an interview or wishing to sharpen your data management, this guide has prepared you to do so.

Good luck with your interview.

Ayushi Trivedi

My name is Ayushi Trivedi. I am a B. Tech graduate. I have 3 years of experience working as an educator and content editor. I have worked with various python libraries, like numpy, pandas, seaborn, matplotlib, scikit, imblearn, linear regression and many more. I am also an author. My first book named #turning25 has been published and is available on amazon and flipkart. Here, I am technical content editor at Analytics Vidhya. I feel proud and happy to be AVian. I have a great team to work with. I love building the bridge between the technology and the learner.