I have a coding exercise for an upcoming interview where I'm required to set up a quick SQLite database using provided data as soon as the server starts. My app will only have one endpoint that retrieves data, and it should filter results based on user-provided parameters. I'm wondering if it's acceptable to use raw SQL in this scenario, or if I should familiarize myself with SQLAlchemy for best practices. I have some experience working with Django, so I'm confident that I can learn SQLAlchemy quickly, but since this exercise also includes building a frontend in just a few hours, I'm looking for advice. Additionally, I'm curious about how critical interviewers are about using raw SQL versus an ORM.
3 Answers
Ultimately, you should consider what technology your potential employer typically uses. If they're already working with Flask, they probably favor SQLAlchemy, which can streamline your development process, especially with migrations. But if you're comfortable with raw SQL right now, go for it and make sure to justify that choice if questioned in the interview.
You definitely don’t need an ORM for simple tasks. Just make sure your raw SQL is well-structured and avoid any SQL injection risks. If you can encapsulate your queries in a service layer that handles the business logic, that's a solid approach. Plus, ensure you have thorough testing in place to validate your queries.
Using raw SQL is perfectly fine for your situation, especially if you're just filtering data. As long as you're executing properly parameterized queries and keeping an eye on security issues, you'll be okay. Some interviewers appreciate the direct control that raw SQL gives, but if you can specify why you're making that choice, it will strengthen your position too.
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