General Questions Flashcards

1
Q

Tell me about yourself?

A

My name is Raesibe Gwangwa, I’m a dedicated professional with a strong technical background. I hold a technical support certificate, which has given me valuable insights into troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues.

In my previous role as an office admin, I honed my organizational and multitasking skills. I was responsible for managing administrative tasks efficiently, maintaining office operations, and ensuring smooth day-to-day functioning of front-desk. This experience instilled in me a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Additionally, I have a passion for programming and have expertise in both Java and Python. I have also delves a bit in the realms of Web development where I got to utilise JavaScript, html and css. C#, which I used mostly with Dotnet framework and NUnit for quality assurance purposes. I worked on various projects, where I utilized my programming skills to develop efficient and scalable solutions. Whether it’s building applications or working on testing programs, I thrive in the world of coding and enjoy the challenges it brings.

Overall, I consider myself a versatile and adaptable individual, ready to leverage my technical knowledge and administrative experience to contribute effectively to new opportunities. I am excited to bring my unique skill set to a dynamic team and take on new challenges in the realm of technology.”

Remember to customize your response based on the specific context and company you are interviewing with. Highlighting your technical skills and how they align with the position you’re applying for will make your answer more impactful and relevant. Also, try to keep your response concise and focused on your professional strengths and accomplishments.

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2
Q

What makes you unique?

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3
Q

Why do you want to work for this company?

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4
Q

What interests you about this role?

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5
Q

What motivates you?

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6
Q

What are your greatest strengths?

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Let’s use the STAR approach to describe your greatest strength as a junior software developer:

Situation: During my last Project, I was assigned to work with a team to develop a server application that accommodates multiple client connections for Gaming.

Task: My specific task was to create a server using threading technology to process incoming client requests concurrently.

Action: To tackle this challenge, I researched various APIs, socket programming and server threading techniques suitable for handling multiple client connections. I collaborated closely with my team to understand the requirements and ensure seamless integration.

Result: As a result of my efforts, the features were successfully implemented and greatly improved as needed. The team was impressed with the functionality and efficiency of the feature, leading to positive feedback and an extended collaboration.

Thus I would say my greatest strengths is demonstrated through your technical expertise in handling complex tasks, your ability to collaborate effectively with other team members, and your dedication to delivering a successful solution.

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7
Q

What are your greatest weaknesses?

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I recognise that my public speaking skills and explaining technical concepts need improvement. In team meetings or when presenting ideas to stakeholders, I tend to feel a bit anxious and ramble. However, I’ve been actively working on this weakness. Having been working in teams and been part of code reviews, I constantly to work on enhancing presentation abilities and the ability to explain technical concepts in a simplified manner. I have found that the more I partake in internal presentations within the development team and code pairings, I gain more experience and confidence in this area. I believe that as I continue to put myself in these situations, my public speaking skills will steadily improve, and I’ll become a more effective public speaker overall.”

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8
Q

What is the difference between functional programming and Object Oriented Programming?

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In Functional Programming, the main focus is on writing functions that take inputs and produce outputs, without any hidden state or side effects. Functions are treated as first-class citizens, meaning they can be assigned to variables, passed as arguments, and returned as results. This paradigm emphasizes immutability, where data is not modified once created, leading to more predictable and easier-to-understand code.

On the other hand, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) organizes code around objects, which are instances of classes that encapsulate data and behavior. The primary idea in OOP is to use methods, which are functions that operate on the object’s data. OOP also places a strong emphasis on data hiding and abstraction to manage complexity and make code more maintainable.

In summary, functional programming relies on pure functions and immutable data, while OOP centers around objects and encapsulated data with methods. Both paradigms offer different ways of structuring code and solving problems, and the choice between them depends on the specific requirements and design goals of the software project.

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9
Q

Explain a time when your team failed a goal and what you did to ensure the team overcame the failure?

A

In one of my previous projects, our team was tasked with developing a Desktop app within a tight deadline. As the deadline approached, we encountered unexpected technical issues that significantly impacted our progress. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t meet the initial release date.

To address the situation, we held a team meeting to discuss the challenges openly and transparently. We conducted a thorough analysis of the issues and identified areas where we could improve our development process. We also sought guidance from more experienced developers and stakeholders to gain valuable insights.

In response to the setbacks, we adjusted our project plan, allocating additional time for testing and debugging. We also increased communication between team members to ensure everyone was on the same page and any roadblocks were addressed promptly.

Although the delay was disappointing, it provided us with a valuable learning experience. We realized the importance of setting more realistic timelines and building in buffers for unexpected challenges. Additionally, it strengthened our teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

In the end, we successfully launched the app, and the lessons learned from that experience have since been applied to subsequent projects, resulting in smoother and more efficient development processes.”

Remember, when sharing specific examples, focus on the actions you took to overcome the failure and the positive outcomes of those actions. This will demonstrate your ability to learn and grow from challenges, which is a valuable trait for a junior software developer.

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10
Q

How do you ensure code quality and fix errors?

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Code Reviews: Engage in code reviews with team members to catch potential issues and ensure adherence to coding standards.

Unit Testing: Implement thorough unit tests to verify individual components and functions in isolation.

Automated Testing: Employ continuous integration and automated testing to identify bugs early in the development process.

Static Code Analysis: Utilize tools that perform static code analysis to detect potential bugs and style violations.
Peer Programming: Collaborate with a colleague to write code together in real-time, which can help catch errors and improve code quality.

Version Control: Use version control systems like Git to track changes, making it easier to identify and fix errors.

Logging and Monitoring: Implement proper logging and monitoring mechanisms to detect errors and track their occurrences.

Best Practices and Design Patterns: Follow industry best practices and design patterns to write maintainable and reliable code.

Error Handling: Implement robust error-handling mechanisms to gracefully handle unexpected situations.

Continuous Improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback and lessons learned from previous errors help prevent future occurrences.

Remember that ensuring code quality is an ongoing process, and addressing errors promptly helps maintain a stable and reliable software product.

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11
Q

What languages are you proficient in?

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Situation: Throughout my experience in software development and programming, I have honed my skills in multiple programming languages.

Task: Two languages in which I have demonstrated proficiency are Java and Python.

Action: I have actively engaged with Java and Python in a variety of real-world projects, ranging from web application development to data analysis and automation tasks. Specifically, in Java, I have extensively utilized JDBC APIs to establish seamless connections to databases, enabling efficient data retrieval and manipulation. This experience has been particularly valuable in the development of data-driven applications and systems.

On the other hand, in Python, I have leveraged Google APIs to connect to Google Cloud services. This involved integrating Python code with various Google Cloud offerings, allowing me to harness the power of cloud-based services in my applications.

Result: As a result of my extensive exposure to these languages, I possess a deep understanding of their respective syntax, design patterns, and best practices. This proficiency enables me to tackle complex programming challenges efficiently and deliver reliable and maintainable code.

In conclusion, my proficiency in both Java and Python has been established through practical application and has equipped me to contribute effectively to diverse software projects.

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12
Q

What is your weakness

A

I recognize that I have room for improvement in web design and front-end development. While I excel in other areas of software development, such as backend programming and algorithm design, I understand that creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces is crucial in delivering a complete and satisfying user experience.

To address this weakness, I’ve taken several proactive steps to enhance my skills in front-end development. I’ve enrolled in online courses and tutorials that focus on modern web design principles, responsive design, and front-end frameworks like React and Vue.js. Additionally, I actively seek feedback from more experienced designers and developers within my team, and I’m open to learning from their expertise.

Furthermore, I’ve initiated personal projects to apply what I’ve learned and gain practical experience. I believe that hands-on practice is essential in solidifying my front-end development skills.

Overall, I view this area of improvement as an opportunity for growth and development. By actively working on my web design and front-end development skills, I aim to contribute even more effectively to projects and deliver exceptional user interfaces that align with the high standards of our team and organization.”

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13
Q

What is your greatest strength

A

One of my greatest strengths in software development is my strong problem-solving ability. I have a knack for breaking down complex problems into manageable components and finding elegant and efficient solutions. This skill is rooted in my analytical thinking and my ability to dissect intricate issues systematically. When confronted with a challenging problem, I approach it methodically by first understanding the requirements, identifying the key constraints, and then devising a plan to address each aspect.

I thrive on challenges and enjoy tackling new and unfamiliar problems. In fact, I find that these situations often bring out the best in me. The thrill of diving into uncharted territory not only keeps me engaged and motivated but also expands my knowledge and expertise. I believe that innovation and growth in software development often occur when we venture beyond our comfort zones, and I’m always eager to embrace such opportunities.

Additionally, my attention to detail is a crucial aspect of my problem-solving process. I understand that in software development, even the smallest oversight can lead to significant issues down the line. Therefore, I take great care in thoroughly testing and reviewing my code to ensure its robustness and reliability. This commitment to quality not only results in more stable and error-free software but also saves time and resources in the long run by reducing the need for extensive debugging and maintenance.

Furthermore, my problem-solving mindset allows me to adapt to different technologies and programming languages quickly. I view each new technology or language as a tool in my problem-solving toolkit. This adaptability makes me a versatile and valuable asset to any development team, as I can seamlessly transition between different projects and technologies, contributing effectively to a wide range of tasks and challenges.

In summary, my problem-solving skills, combined with my love for challenges, attention to detail, and adaptability, make me a well-rounded software developer who not only finds solutions to complex problems but also ensures that those solutions are robust, reliable, and tailored to the specific needs of the project at hand.

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14
Q

What is Agile methodologies

A

The Agile methodology is a project management approach that involves breaking the project into phases and emphasizes continuous collaboration and improvement. Teams follow a cycle of planning, executing, and evaluating.

Agile methodology is a project management framework that breaks projects down into several dynamic phases, commonly known as sprints.
The Agile framework is an iterative methodology. After every sprint, teams reflect and look back to see if there was anything that could be improved so they can adjust their strategy for the next sprint.

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15
Q

What is the difference between functional programming and procedural programming?

A

In simple terms, functional programming and procedural programming are two different approaches to writing computer programs.

Procedural Programming:

Basic Concept: Procedural programming is based on the idea of a step-by-step sequence of instructions, like a recipe. It revolves around procedures or functions that perform specific tasks.
Variables: In procedural programming, variables are used to store and manipulate data. They can be modified throughout the program.
State: Programs in this paradigm often maintain mutable state, meaning that data can change during execution.
Control Flow: Control structures like loops and conditionals are commonly used to manage program flow.
Side Effects: Procedural programs may involve side effects, which are changes in the program’s state or external world.
Functional Programming:

Basic Concept: Functional programming treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions. It focuses on functions that take inputs and produce outputs without altering data.
Immutability: In functional programming, data is typically immutable, meaning once created, it cannot be changed. Instead, new data structures are created as needed.
Pure Functions: Functional programming encourages the use of pure functions, which have no side effects and always produce the same output for the same input.
Higher-Order Functions: Functions can be treated as first-class citizens, meaning they can be passed as arguments to other functions and returned as values.
Recursion: Recursion is often used instead of traditional loops for repetitive tasks.
Avoidance of State: Functional programming aims to minimize or eliminate mutable state, leading to more predictable and easier-to-reason-about code.
In more detail:

Procedural Programming:

Procedural programming languages include C, Pascal, and Fortran.
It emphasizes the use of procedures or functions to structure code.
Variables can be modified at any point in the program.
State management can lead to complex debugging in larger programs.
It’s often used for systems-level programming and tasks requiring explicit control over hardware.
Functional Programming:

Functional programming languages include Haskell, Lisp, and some features in languages like JavaScript and Python.
It treats computation as the evaluation of pure mathematical functions.
Immutability and pure functions lead to predictable and maintainable code.
Higher-order functions enable powerful abstractions and modular code.
It’s well-suited for tasks involving data transformation, parallelism, and reasoning about complex systems.
In summary, procedural programming is centered around procedures or functions that modify data and manage mutable state, while functional programming focuses on immutable data, pure functions, and mathematical abstractions for computation. The choice between them depends on the problem at hand and programming style preferences.

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16
Q

The four pillars of OOP

A

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is based on four fundamental principles, often referred to as the “Four Pillars of OOP.” These principles help structure and organize code by emphasizing the use of objects and their interactions. Here are the four pillars:

Encapsulation:
Encapsulation is the concept of bundling data (attributes) and the methods (functions) that operate on that data into a single unit known as an “object.”
It restricts direct access to some of an object’s components, making it possible to control the state of the object only through well-defined methods.
Encapsulation helps hide the internal details of an object and protects its integrity, promoting data security and code maintainability.
Inheritance:
Inheritance is a mechanism that allows one class (the subclass or derived class) to inherit properties and behaviors from another class (the superclass or base class).
It promotes code reuse by enabling the creation of new classes based on existing ones, inheriting their attributes and methods.
Inheritance supports the “is-a” relationship, where a subclass is a specialized version of its superclass.
Polymorphism:
Polymorphism means “many shapes” and allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass.
It enables flexibility and extensibility in code by allowing methods to be written to work with objects of a superclass, and these methods can also be used with objects of derived classes.
Polymorphism is often achieved through method overriding (redefining a method in a subclass) and method overloading (defining multiple methods with the same name but different parameters).
Abstraction:
Abstraction is the process of simplifying complex reality by modeling classes based on their essential characteristics while hiding irrelevant details.
It involves defining a class or interface that represents a general concept or idea, without specifying all the implementation details.
Abstraction helps in managing complexity, enabling developers to focus on high-level concepts and create reusable, maintainable code.
These four pillars are the core principles of OOP and provide a structured and modular approach to software development. They facilitate the design and organization of code, making it easier to understand, maintain, and extend. OOP languages like Java, C++, and Python incorporate these principles to varying degrees, allowing developers to create robust and efficient applications.