How to answer this Technical interview question about Databases for Mid-Level Full Stack Developer?

Can you explain the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases and provide examples of when you would use one over the other?

A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.
Full Stack Developer

Technical

Asked at

Meta

Difficulty :

Medium

A modern, rounded square webclip or app icon with a soft gradient background, representing a mobile-friendly shortcut or digital brand identity for quick access and visual consistency.
A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.

Explanation

This question is designed to test your understanding of database systems, a fundamental skill for full-stack developers. Recruiters want to know if you can differentiate between relational and non-relational databases and understand the scenarios where each would be beneficial. They are also assessing your ability to align technical decisions with business needs. A strong answer would include a clear explanation of the concepts, specific examples of SQL (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra) systems, and real-world use cases. Avoid overly technical jargon without clarification, and ensure your examples highlight your practical experience.

A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.

Answer Example

SQL databases are relational and use structured query language for defining and manipulating data. They are ideal for applications needing structured, consistent data and complex queries, such as financial systems or inventory management. NoSQL databases, on the other hand, are non-relational and are schema-less, making them suitable for unstructured or semi-structured data, such as user-generated content or IoT data. For example, I used MySQL for an e-commerce platform to manage product inventory and transactions because of its strong ACID compliance. For a social media app, I implemented MongoDB due to its flexibility in handling diverse data types like images and comments.

How it works?

Perfect applications in one click.

A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.

Step 1:
Create a profile

Create your profile by uploading an existing resume or create one from scratch using our resume builder.

A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.

Step 2:
Find a job post

Start searching for jobs anywhere you want and paste the job description in the box in FirstResume.

A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.

Step 3:
One click .. and done

One click, and we will track your job with AI, analyse your compatibility, create your perfect resume and more, ready to apply.

That's it! Give it a go!
Get updates and career content

Subscribe to our newsletter

We frequently write blogs that help our community with their career growth! Don't miss out!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Talk to us directly

Join us on Discord

Discord is where we give updates, offer member exclusive giveaways, and help each other grow on our careers.

Your success begins here.

Get Started Now