Find users who listened to similar artists but not target: SELECT u.user_id FROM user_listens u JOIN artist_fans a ON u.artist_id = a.artist_id WHERE a.artist_id = :target_artist_id AND u.user_id NOT IN (SELECT user_id FROM user_listens WHERE artist_id = :target_artist_id)....
This medium-level SQL question appears frequently in data engineering interviews at companies like media.net. While less common, it tests deeper understanding that distinguishes strong candidates. Mastering the underlying concepts (join, sql) will help you answer variations of this question confidently.
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.
Find users who listened to similar artists but not target: SELECT u.user_id FROM user_listens u JOIN artist_fans a ON u.artist_id = a.artist_id WHERE a.artist_id = :target_artist_id AND u.user_id NOT IN (SELECT user_id FROM user_listens WHERE artist_id = :target_artist_id). Why: Affinity-based recommendation. Collaborative filtering uses co-listening; this is simpler. Scalability: NOT IN can be slow; use NOT EXISTS or anti-join.
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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.