Welcome to your interview.
The question is on your right: RANK vs DENSE_RANK in Leaderboards. Take a moment with it first.
Talk your thinking through with me if you like - when you're confident, submit your answer and I'll grade it like a real screen (7/10 or better passes). Discussion and graded submissions share your five interviewer interactions, so spend them well.
Ranking functions are common in reporting, leaderboards, and top-N analysis. Interviewers ask this question to check whether you understand how SQL handles ties in ordered results.
Explain the difference between RANK() and DENSE_RANK() in SQL. Your answer should cover:
RANK() can create gaps in rank numbersDENSE_RANK() does not create gapsKeep the explanation practical. Define both functions clearly, compare their outputs on the same example, and mention common use cases such as competition standings, sales rankings, or grouped reporting. You do not need to discuss advanced execution details, but you should be precise about tie behavior and the impact on downstream filtering like top 3 or top 10 results.