**Logic**: Partition by department → order by salary DESC → dense_rank → filter rank=2. **Code**: `from pyspark.sql.window import Window; from pyspark.sql import functions as F; windowSpec = Window.partitionBy("department").orderBy(F.desc("salary")); ranked =...
This medium-level Spark/Big Data question appears frequently in data engineering interviews at companies like Altimetrik, Infosys. While less common, it tests deeper understanding that distinguishes strong candidates. Mastering the underlying concepts (partition, spark, 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.
Logic: Partition by department → order by salary DESC → dense_rank → filter rank=2. Code: from pyspark.sql.window import Window; from pyspark.sql import functions as F; windowSpec = Window.partitionBy("department").orderBy(F.desc("salary")); ranked = df.withColumn("rank", F.dense_rank().over(windowSpec)); result = ranked.filter(F.col("rank") == 2).select("department", "salary"). Why DENSE_RANK: Handles ties (e.g., two #1 salaries) so rank 2 is the true second-highest. Scalability trade-off: Window functions require shuffle for partitionBy; large departments can cause skew. Consider bucketing or pre-filtering if departments are very unbalanced. Cost implication: Full shuffle by department; ensure Z-ORDER or partitioning on department for large tables.
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Analyze My Answer — FreeAccording to DataEngPrep.tech, this is one of the most frequently asked Spark/Big Data interview questions, reported at 2 companies. DataEngPrep.tech maintains a curated database of 1,863+ real data engineering interview questions across 7 categories, verified by industry professionals.