Unlocking the Power of SQL: How to Ace Top N Problem Questions in Interviews

SQL (Structured Query Language) is one of the most widely used languages for managing and manipulating data in relational databases. Many companies, particularly in the tech industry, rely heavily on SQL for data analysis, making it an important skill for anyone looking to pursue a career in data analytics or data science.

One common problem that often comes up in SQL interviews is the “Top N Problem,” where you are asked to retrieve the top N records from a table based on certain criteria. While this may seem like a straightforward task, it can be tricky to get the syntax right and handle ties correctly.

In this article, we’ll explore the Top N Problem in detail and provide tips on how to approach these types of questions in interviews. We’ll cover the different variations of the problem, including retrieving the top N records overall, the top N records per category, and the top N records per category with ties. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to unlock the power of SQL to ace Top N Problem questions in interviews.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Table of Contents:

1. Top N Problem
2. Top N Records
3. Top N Per Category
4. Top N Per Category With Ties