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Write a query to get the latest rule_id and rule_status.

SQLmedium0.3 min readPremium

Use ROW_NUMBER() with PARTITION BY to isolate the most recent record per logical group. Example: SELECT rule_id, rule_status FROM (SELECT rule_id, rule_status, ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY rule_id ORDER BY updated_at DESC) AS rn FROM rules) ranked WHERE rn = 1. **Why**: Need...

🤖 Analyze Your Answer
Frequency
Low
Asked at 1 company
Category
487
questions in SQL
Difficulty Split
130E|271M|86H
in this category
Total Bank
1,863
across 7 categories
Asked at these companies
Gartner
Key Concepts Tested
partitionsnowflakesql

Why This Question Matters

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. Mastering the underlying concepts (partition, snowflake, sql) will help you answer variations of this question confidently.

How to Approach This

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.

Expert Answer
67 words

Use ROW_NUMBER() with PARTITION BY to isolate the most recent record per logical group. Example: SELECT rule_id, rule_status FROM (SELECT rule_id, rule_status, ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY rule_id ORDER BY updated_at DESC) AS rn FROM rules) ranked WHERE rn = 1. Why: Need recency column (created_at, updated_at). Scalability: Index partition/order columns. Use DISTINCT ON (PostgreSQL) or QUALIFY (Snowflake) where supported. Cost: Single pass; ensure timezone consistency for production.

The complete answer continues with detailed implementation patterns, architectural trade-offs, and production-grade considerations covering performance optimization and real-world examples.

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According 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.

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