Top 10 SQL Server Interview Questions and Answers

Updated 12 Jul 2025

Q. Do you have experience in SQL Server Database Administration?

Ans.

Yes, I have experience in SQL Server Database Administration.

  • I have worked as a SQL Server Database Administrator for 5 years.

  • I am proficient in managing and optimizing SQL Server databases.

  • I have experience in performance tuning, backup and recovery...read more

Asked in PolicyBazaar

6d ago
Q. Can you discuss the numeric data types available in SQL Server?
Ans.

SQL Server offers various numeric data types for storing different types of numerical values.

  • SQL Server provides data types like int, bigint, smallint, tinyint for storing whole numbers.

  • Numeric data types like decimal and numeric are used for storing...read more

Asked in Infosys

3d ago

Q. How many types of backups are available in SQL Server?

Ans.

There are 4 types of backups available in SQL Server: Full, Differential, Transaction Log, and File/Filegroup.

  • Full backup: It backs up the entire database including all data and objects.

  • Differential backup: It backs up only the changes made since the...read more

Asked in Infosys

1d ago

Q. What is the recovery model in SQL Server?

Ans.

Recovery model in SQL Server determines how transactions are logged and how the database can be restored.

  • There are three recovery models in SQL Server: Simple, Full, and Bulk-Logged.

  • Simple recovery model automatically truncates the transaction log an...read more

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1d ago

Q. How do you manage SQL Server performance?

Ans.

SQL Server performance is managed through monitoring, optimization, and tuning.

  • Regularly monitor server performance using tools like SQL Server Profiler and Performance Monitor.

  • Optimize queries by using indexes, avoiding unnecessary joins, and writin...read more

Asked in Cognizant

5d ago

Q. What is the difference between SQL and SQL Server?

Ans.

SQL is a language used to manage databases, while SQL Server is a Microsoft product that includes a database management system.

  • SQL is a language used to interact with databases, while SQL Server is a Microsoft product that includes a database managem...read more

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6d ago

Q. How do you handle security in SQL Server?

Ans.

Security in SQL Server is handled through various mechanisms such as authentication, authorization, encryption, and auditing.

  • Implement strong authentication methods such as Windows Authentication or SQL Server Authentication.

  • Set up appropriate permis...read more

Asked in DISH TV

2d ago

Q. What is a backup in SQL Server?

Ans.

Backup in SQL Server is the process of creating a copy of the database to protect against data loss.

  • Backups can be full, differential, or transaction log backups.

  • Full backups contain all the data in the database.

  • Differential backups contain only the ...read more

Asked in Wilco Source

2d ago

Q. What is SSRS in SQL Server?

Ans.

SSRS stands for SQL Server Reporting Services, a server-based reporting platform that allows creating and managing reports.

  • SSRS is a part of Microsoft SQL Server.

  • It provides a set of tools to create, deploy, and manage reports.

  • Reports can be created ...read more

Asked in Cognizant

5d ago

Q. Given a scenario where you have Flat File sources and need to load them into SQL Server, how would you approach this task?

Ans.

To load flat file sources into SQL Server, use SSIS to extract, transform, and load data efficiently.

  • Create an SSIS package using SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT).

  • Use a Flat File Connection Manager to define the source file's format.

  • Add a Data Flow Task ...read more

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Asked in Wilco Source

3d ago

Q. What are Magic Tables in SQL Server?

Ans.

Magic Tables are temporary tables created by SQL Server during DML operations.

  • Magic Tables are used to access the data before and after a DML operation.

  • They are created automatically by SQL Server and cannot be accessed directly.

  • They are useful for a...read more

Asked in Wilco Source

4d ago

Q. What is a common table expression (CTE) in SQL Server, and what is its purpose?

Ans.

CTE is a temporary result set that can be referenced within a SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statement.

  • CTE is defined using the WITH keyword followed by a name and a SELECT statement.

  • It can be used to simplify complex queries and improve performan...read more

Asked in Invesco

3d ago

Q. What is the difference between SQL Server and SQL Server Management Studio?

Ans.

SQL Server is a relational database management system, while SQL Server Management Studio is an integrated environment for managing SQL Server databases.

  • SQL Server is a relational database management system used for storing and retrieving data.

  • SQL Se...read more

Asked in TCS and 2 others

5d ago

Q. The Architecture of SQL Server

Ans.

The architecture of SQL Server involves components like storage engine, query processor, and buffer manager.

  • SQL Server architecture consists of multiple components such as storage engine, query processor, and buffer manager.

  • The storage engine manages...read more

Asked in Coforge

3d ago

Q. How would you tune SQL SERVER performance for a DBA profile?

Ans.

SQL Server performance tuning involves optimizing database design, query optimization, and server configuration.

  • Identify and optimize poorly performing queries

  • Ensure proper indexing and partitioning

  • Monitor server resources and adjust configuration as...read more

Asked in ITC Infotech

2d ago

Q. How does indexing work in SQL Server databases?

Ans.

Indexing in SQL Server database

  • Indexing improves query performance by creating a structure that allows for faster data retrieval

  • Clustered and non-clustered indexes are the two types of indexes in SQL Server

  • Clustered indexes determine the physical ord...read more

6d ago

Q. What are the installation steps for SQL Server?

Ans.

SQL Server installation involves several steps to set up the database management system on a server.

  • Download the SQL Server installation file from the official Microsoft website.

  • Run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to set u...read more

6d ago

Q. What are the steps to set up an Always On availability group?

Ans.

Setting up Always On group involves configuring multiple SQL Server instances for high availability and disaster recovery.

  • Configure Windows Failover Cluster

  • Install SQL Server on each node

  • Enable Always On Availability Groups feature

  • Create availability...read more

2d ago

Q. Sql server database administrator structure

Ans.

The SQL Server DBA structure includes roles such as junior DBA, senior DBA, and lead DBA.

  • Junior DBA: responsible for basic tasks such as backups and restores

  • Senior DBA: responsible for performance tuning and troubleshooting

  • Lead DBA: responsible for m...read more

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