WITH dept_avg AS (SELECT department, AVG(salary) AS avg_sal FROM employees GROUP BY department), max_dept AS (SELECT department FROM dept_avg ORDER BY avg_sal DESC LIMIT 1) SELECT e.* FROM employees e WHERE e.department = (SELECT department FROM max_dept). **Why CTE**: Readable;...
This medium-level SQL question appears frequently in data engineering interviews at companies like Gartner. While less common, it tests deeper understanding that distinguishes strong candidates.
Break this problem into components. Identify the core trade-offs involved, then walk the interviewer through your reasoning step by step. Demonstrate awareness of edge cases and production considerations - this is what separates good answers from great ones.
WITH dept_avg AS (SELECT department, AVG(salary) AS avg_sal FROM employees GROUP BY department), max_dept AS (SELECT department FROM dept_avg ORDER BY avg_sal DESC LIMIT 1) SELECT e.* FROM employees e WHERE e.department = (SELECT department FROM max_dept). Why CTE: Readable; reusable. Edge case: Tied max avg—LIMIT 1 picks one; use RANK if need all. Max avg value: SELECT MAX(avg_sal) FROM dept_avg.
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Analyze My Answer — FreeAccording to DataEngPrep.tech, this is one of the most frequently asked SQL interview questions, reported at 1 company. DataEngPrep.tech maintains a curated database of 1,863+ real data engineering interview questions across 7 categories, verified by industry professionals.