Shopify·Data Analyst·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate

May 2026

Summary

Shopify data/analytics interview with a SQL-focused technical screen. One question, two approaches, and a discussion about tradeoffs. Pretty straightforward if you've worked with URL parsing before.

Questions Asked (1)

Given a table with a URL column, write a SQL query to extract a specific segment from the URL. Show two approaches: one using regex extraction and one using string splitting. When would you prefer each?

Technical Trade-offsData ModelingProduct Analytics & Metrics

Author's notes

The two-approach part is what tripped me up a bit.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the URL structure and the specific segment to extract, then present two SQL solutions: one using regex functions (e.g., REGEXP_EXTRACT) and one using string splitting functions (e.g., SPLIT_PART). Compare their readability, performance, and portability, and explain when each is preferable based on data variability and SQL dialect.

Pro tip: Mention that regex is powerful but can be slower and harder to maintain, while string splitting is faster and simpler but assumes a consistent delimiter pattern. Also, highlight the importance of testing edge cases like missing segments or varying URL formats.

1. Clarify requirements and assumptions

Ask clarifying questions about the URL structure, the exact segment to extract, and the SQL dialect. State assumptions if needed.

2. Present regex approach

Write a query using regex extraction (e.g., REGEXP_EXTRACT in BigQuery, or SUBSTRING with PATINDEX in SQL Server) to capture the desired segment.

3. Present string splitting approach

Write a query using string splitting functions (e.g., SPLIT_PART in PostgreSQL, or STRING_SPLIT with ordinal in SQL Server) to isolate the segment by delimiter.

4. Compare trade-offs

Discuss performance, readability, maintainability, and portability of each approach, noting scenarios where one is clearly better.

5. Recommend and conclude

Give a recommendation based on typical data conditions, and mention testing with sample data to validate correctness.

Key Points to Mention

Regex is flexible for complex patterns but can be slower and less readable; string splitting is faster and simpler for consistent delimiters.
Consider SQL dialect differences: functions like REGEXP_EXTRACT, SPLIT_PART, STRING_SPLIT vary across databases.
Performance implications: regex may prevent index usage, while splitting can be optimized with built-in functions.
Edge cases: URLs with missing segments, varying number of path components, or query parameters.
Maintainability: regex patterns can be cryptic; splitting is more intuitive for simple cases.
When to prefer each: regex for irregular patterns or when the segment position varies; splitting for fixed-position segments with consistent delimiters.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.