---
title: "How to Use Common Table Expression [CTE] in DB2"
description: "I have shared the Common Table expression of advanced SQL. You can save a lot of CPU time. And you can improve query performance."
url: https://srinimf.com/2020/08/30/sql-common-table-expression-best-example/
date: 2020-08-30
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-photo-6908502.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1255&ssl=1
categories: ["SQL"]
tags: ["SQL Common Table expression example"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How to Use Common Table Expression [CTE] in DB2

Here is an example and [how to use](https://srinimf.com/2015/08/20/db2-avg-column-function-best-example/) Common Table Expression (CTE) [in DB2](https://srinimf.com/2017/01/02/the-best-substring-example-in-db2-for-quick-use/). How to identify it? The ‘WITH’ Clause [in SQL](https://srinimf.com/2023/05/13/how-to-convert-rows-to-columns-pivot-function/) query says that it is a CTE.

## CTE the best example SQL query

```
WITH DEPTOTAL (WORKDEPT, MAXSALARY) AS
(SELECT WORKDEPT, SUM(SALARY+COMM)
  FROM DSN8910.EMP
  GROUP BY WORKDEPT)
SELECT WORKDEPT FROM DEPTOTAL
WHERE MAXSALARY =
  (SELECT MAX(MAXSALARY)
          FROM DEPTOTAL);
```

Here, the derived value is ‘WORKDEPT’ from the WITH table ‘DEPTOTAL‘.

![SQL CTE Top Interview Questions](https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sql-cte-example.jpg?resize=1080%2C608&ssl=1)

## 3 Steps How CTE SQL Works

**Step-1**

Get MAXSALARY.

**Step-2**

Apply expression SUM(SALARY+COMM), and select the rows.

S**tep-3**

You will get desired Result.

![](https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/db2.png?ssl=1)
DB2 Tough Interview Questions.

Useful for interviews and Projects.

$1.00

## [Interview questions](https://srinimf.com/2026/04/26/quick-sql-interview-questions-for-data-engineers-little-tricky/)

**1.What’s CTE recursion?**

It’s not true recursion. Here same table is referenced. The WITH values will be used to get data from other table.

**2. CTE Vs Sub-query?**

It looks like sub-query. Here the table is same.

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References for Recursive

- SQL CTE Recursive nature

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