Interview Questions Flashcards
What Is the Difference Between a Library and a Framework?
Both frameworks and libraries are pieces of pre-written code. Where they differ is how those pieces of code are used.
A framework is a piece of pre-written code that serves as the foundation for the software development process. It includes any code within a programming language that developers tend to use repeatedly for different aspects of a software project.
A library, on the other hand, concerns itself with adding different functionalities or features to a program. They make it possible to quickly add code that performs a specific task relating to a feature that users will be able to use.
Can You Explain the Concept of “Continuous Integration” and Its Benefits?
Continuous integration is a practice within DevOps whereby the code that different developers write for a piece of software is uploaded to a central repository at regular interval
Can You Explain the Concept of a Binary Search Tree?
A binary tree is a data structure constructed such that:
Any subtree on the left has values that are lesser than the parent node
Conversely, any subtree on the right has values that are greater than the parent node
Subtrees to the left and right of a parent node should also follow the rules for a binary search tree
How Would You Implement a Hash Table?
Hash tables are sometimes also called hash maps. These are data structures that perform the function of mapping keys to their relevant values. This is achieved by putting together a chain of values in the form of a linked list where the keys correspond to a particular index.
The two main parts of a hash table in terms of the implementation are the hash function and the linked list to structure the table.
Can You Explain the Difference Between Depth-First and Breadth-First Search Algorithms?
There are four differences between depth-first search (DFS) and breadth-first search (BFS) algorithms.
Data structure: BFS runs on the queue data structure, whereas DFS employs stacks.
Construction: DFS is constructed subtree after subtree. BFS takes a level-by-level approach to constructing a tree.
Application: BFS is better used when vertices are close to the source. DFS is more appropriate for vertices away from the source.
Elimination of Nodes: Nodes are eliminated from the queue after multiple traversals in BFS. In the DFS approach, traversed sites are first added to a stack when there are no more sites to visit, and then they’re eliminated.
How Would You Detect a Cycle in a Linked List?
You can follow the approach given below to check whether there are any cycles in a given linked list.
Traverse the given list and place the node addresses into a hash table
Return false every time a NULL is encountered
If there is an instance where the current node points to a node that has already been placed in the hash table, then return true
What is the software development process?
The software development process, or software development life cycle, refers to the process used to create new software. Typically, the process includes six to seven steps: (1) brainstorming, (2) defining requirements, (3) prototyping, (4) coding, (5) testing and validation, (6) launching the product, and (7) ongoing product maintenance.
While the precise formulation of the development process varies from one organization to another, these primary steps required to take a product from concept to commercialization are common among most employers.
Describe the Agile methodology and its benefits.
Agile methodology is a project management approach that uses incremental, iterative steps paired with continuous feedback to complete a project within a relatively short time period. Many software development teams use Agile because it allows them to complete projects more quickly than traditional project management processes, which usually progress very linearly and take a significant amount of time to finish.
What are the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases?
If you’re working with data, then you’ll need to have a strong grasp of both Structured Query Language (SQL) and Non-Structured Query Language (NoSQL.)
SQL is a query language that allows users to query and manipulate data within a relational database, which organizes data in columns and rows in a table. NoSQL, meanwhile, is a type of non-relational database that is capable of storing and managing large amounts of structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.
Describe the concept of a binary search algorithm and its time complexity.
Image: Shutterstock / Built In
Image: Shutterstock / Built In
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A technical interview is a type of job interview that focuses on evaluating a candidate’s technical expertise and knowledge in relation to the position for which they are applying. It’s most commonly used in careers like software engineering, information technology and data science, among others.
What Is a Technical Interview?
A technical interview is a type of job interview that aims to evaluate a candidate’s technical expertise, problem solving and communication skills through coding exercises, system design discussions, whiteboard sessions and behavioral interview questions and more. It’s often used to assess candidates in careers like software engineering, IT and data science.
The objective is to ascertain your capacity for problem-solving under pressure, as well as evaluating your communication and interpersonal abilities. Technical interviews may include various formats, such as coding exercises, algorithmic problem-solving, system design discussions, whiteboarding sessions or hands-on tasks using relevant tools or technologies. Candidates may be asked to write code, analyze code snippets, optimize algorithms, explain concepts or design system architectures.
Technical interviews are often conducted in the following formats:
Coding interviews
System design interviews
Behavioral and technical combination interviews
Take-home assignments
Technical presentations
7 Types of Technical Interview Questions
Depending on the particular function and industry, technical interview questions might be asked on a wide range of subjects. These inquiries are intended to evaluate applicants’ technical expertise, capacity for problem-solving and breadth of subject knowledge. Following are a few examples of typical technical interview categories:
- Coding and Programming
These inquiries evaluate an applicant’s proficiency for using programming languages like Python, Java, C++ or JavaScript to write code and resolve issues. They could entail coding puzzles, data structures, algorithmic challenges or writing code to address a particular issue. - System Design
These inquiries test a candidate’s competence for large-scale system design and architecture. They frequently concentrate on the trade-offs, scalability, dependability, and performance of complex systems. - Data Structures and Algorithms
These types of questions test a candidate’s comprehension of various data structures and algorithms, including arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs, as well as sorting, searching, traversals and dynamic programming. Candidates may be required to analyze problems involving time and spatial complexity or to use these ideas in their solutions. - Database and SQL
These types of questions test a candidate’s understanding of SQL queries, database design principles and database management systems. Candidates may be required to build database structures, write sophisticated queries or optimize queries for performance. - System Architecture
These kinds of questions concentrate on a system’s overall structure and its parts. They might go through issues like networking, distributed systems, cloud computing, security and scalability. - Testing and Debugging
These kinds of questions evaluate a candidate’s understanding of software testing principles, debugging methods and their aptitude for finding and resolving coding problems. - Web Development
The web technologies covered by these questions include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, frameworks like React or Angular, RESTful APIs and browser compatibility. The development or optimization of web applications, resolving front-end issues or debugging of web-related problems may be required of candidates.
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Top 50 JavaScript Interview Questions With Example Answers
20 Technical Interview Questions to Know
Technical interviews often include questions that test the candidate’s understanding of software and how software works. It’s important to both be knowledgeable about the coding language you’ll primarily be working in and various development methodologies.
Common Technical Interview Questions
Describe the concept of a binary search algorithm and its time complexity.
What are the main differences between HTTP and HTTPS?
Explain the concept of a linked list and its advantage over an array.
What is the purpose of a code review in testing?
What are the different programming languages used in web development?
How does caching work in web development?
How would you optimize low-performing SQL code?
What is the role of a load-balancing system of architecture?
What is horizontal scaling and how does it differ from vertical scaling?
What is a service-oriented architecture (SOA)?
Here are some practice questions with answers to help you prepare.
- Describe the concept of a binary search algorithm and its time complexity.
Binary search is a divide-and-conquer algorithm used to efficiently search a sorted array. It repeatedly divides the search space in half until the target element is found or determined to be absent. The time complexity of binary search is O(log n), as the search space is halved with each comparison.
It significantly lowers the number of comparisons required to find an element by splitting the search space in half during each iteration. Large data sets benefit greatly from its outstanding efficiency due to its time complexity. The elegance of this algorithm rests in its capacity to quickly arrive at the intended outcome, highlighting the significance of algorithmic effectiveness in problem-solving.
The time complexity of binary search is O(log n), where n is the number of elements in the array.
Explain the concept of a linked list and its advantages over an array.
A linked list is a data structure consisting of nodes, where each node contains a value and a reference to the next node. Unlike arrays, linked lists have dynamic size and can efficiently insert or delete elements at any position. However, linked lists have slower access times and require extra memory for storing references.
Linked lists are often used to represent data that isn’t sorted or that needs to be inserted or deleted frequently. This is because linked lists can be easily manipulated, without the need to shift other elements in the list.
Describe the difference between a stack and a queue data structure.
A stack and a queue are both linear data structures, which means that they store data in a sequence. However, they differ in the way that they allow elements to be inserted and deleted. A stack is a last in first out (LIFO) data structure. This means that the last element that is inserted into a stack is the first element that is removed. Stacks are often used to implement recursion, which is a programming technique that allows a function to call itself.
A queue is a first in first out (FIFO) data structure. This means that the first element that is inserted into a queue is the first element that is removed. Queues are often used to implement tasks such as printing jobs or processing requests.
What are the main differences between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) is an unsecured protocol used for transmitting data over the internet. HTTPS (HTTP secure) is a secure version of HTTP that encrypts data using SSL/TLS protocols, providing confidentiality and integrity. HTTPS is indicated by a padlock symbol in web browsers and is commonly used for secure transactions, such as online banking or e-commerce. However, there are some key differences between the two.
Security: HTTP is not a secure protocol. This means that data transmitted over HTTP can be intercepted and read by anyone in between the sender and receiver. HTTPS, on the other hand, is a secure protocol. This means that data transmitted over HTTPS is encrypted and cannot be read by anyone in between the sender and receiver.
Speed: HTTP is generally faster than HTTPS. This is because HTTPS requires additional encryption and authentication steps, which can add some overhead. However, the difference in speed is usually not significant.
Use: HTTP is used for a wide variety of purposes, including browsing websites, downloading files, and streaming media. HTTPS is typically used for tasks that require a higher level of security, such as online banking, shopping, and email.
Describe the purpose and use cases of design patterns in software development.
Design patterns are reusable solutions to commonly occurring problems in software design. They provide a structured approach to designing and organizing code, improving code maintainability, reusability and readability. Design patterns, such as Singleton, Factory and Observer, have specific use cases and can simplify complex software architectures. They are used to solve common problems that arise in software design, and they can help to improve the quality, maintainability and reusability of code.
How would you design a scalable system for handling high traffic and large amounts of data?
Scalable systems can be achieved through techniques like load balancing (distributing traffic across multiple servers), horizontal scaling (adding more servers), caching frequently accessed data, using distributed databases and employing techniques like sharding or partitioning to handle large data volumes. There are many ways to design a scalable system for handling high traffic and large amounts of data. Here are some of the most common approaches:
Use a distributed architecture. A distributed architecture breaks down the system into smaller components that can be scaled independently. This makes it easier to add more capacity as needed.
Use a caching layer. A caching layer stores frequently accessed data in memory, which can improve performance by reducing the number of times the database needs to be accessed.
Use a load balancer. A load balancer distributes traffic across multiple servers, which can improve performance by preventing any single server from becoming overloaded.
Use a content delivery network (CDN). A CDN stores static content, such as images and JavaScript files, in multiple locations around the world. This can improve performance by delivering content to users from a server that is close to them.
Use a database that is designed for scalability. There are many different types of databases, and some are better suited for scalability than others. For example, NoSQL databases are designed to store large amounts of data without requiring a lot of processing power.
