DA0-002 Data Acquisition and Preparation Practice Question
A data analyst needs to create a recursive CTE to traverse a hierarchical employee-manager table. Which of the following is a key requirement for a recursive CTE?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The recursive CTE must have at least one anchor member that does not reference the CTE
A recursive CTE must have an anchor member (non-recursive) and a recursive member that references the CTE name, connected by UNION ALL.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The CTE must include a WHERE clause in the recursive member
Why it's wrong here
Not a requirement; recursion termination is typically handled by a condition.
- ✗
The CTE must use the RECURSIVE keyword in the WITH clause
Why it's wrong here
In Standard SQL, the RECURSIVE keyword is required (e.g., WITH RECURSIVE). However, some DBMS like SQL Server omit it. But the question asks for key requirement; anchor member is essential.
- ✓
The recursive CTE must have at least one anchor member that does not reference the CTE
Why this is correct
The anchor member provides the starting set; the recursive member references the CTE.
- ✗
The recursive member must use UNION instead of UNION ALL
Why it's wrong here
UNION ALL is required to avoid removing duplicates; UNION would terminate recursion prematurely.
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