F5 Networks Principal Software Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Round duration - 40 minutes
Round difficulty - Easy

Technical round with questions based on DSA.

Q1. 
Reverse a Number Problem Statement
Create a program to reverse a given integer N. The output should be the reversed integer.
Note:
If a number has trailing zeros, their reversed version should not inclu...read more
Ans. 
Reverse a given integer while excluding trailing zeros.
• Create a program to reverse the given integer by converting it to a string and then reversing it.

• Remove any trailing zeros from the reversed string before converting it back to an integer.

• Handle the constraints of the input integer being between 0 and 10^8.

• Example: For input 1230, the output should be 321.
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Q2. 
Reverse a Linked List Problem Statement
You are given a Singly Linked List of integers. Your task is to reverse the Linked List by changing the links between nodes.
Input:
The first line of input contai...read more
Ans. 
Reverse a given singly linked list by changing the links between nodes.
• Iterate through the linked list and reverse the links between nodes.

• Use three pointers to keep track of the current, previous, and next nodes.

• Update the links while traversing the list to reverse it.

• Return the head of the reversed linked list.
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Q3. What is the difference in C++ between 'new int[5]' and 'malloc(5 * sizeof(int))'?
Ans. 
new int[5] is C++ specific and initializes the array with default values, while malloc(5 * sizeof(int)) is a C function and does not initialize the array.
• new int[5] is C++ specific and calls constructors for each element in the array.

• malloc(5 * sizeof(int)) is a C function and does not call constructors, leaving the array uninitialized.

• new int[5] returns a pointer to the first element of the array, while malloc(5 * siz...read more
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Round duration - 60 minutes
Round difficulty - Easy

Technical Interview round with questions based on DSA, OOPS and puzzles.

Q1. 
Reverse Linked List Problem Statement
Given a Singly Linked List of integers, your task is to reverse the Linked List by altering the links between the nodes.
Input:
The first line of input is an intege...read more
Ans. 
Reverse a singly linked list by altering the links between nodes.
• Iterate through the linked list and reverse the links between nodes

• Use three pointers to keep track of the current, previous, and next nodes

• Update the links between nodes until the end of the list is reached
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Q2. 
Reverse Number Problem Statement
Ninja is exploring new challenges and desires to reverse a given number. Your task is to assist Ninja in reversing the number provided.
Note:
If a number has trailing ze...read more
Ans. 
Implement a function to reverse a given number, omitting trailing zeros.
• Create a function that takes an integer as input and reverses it while omitting trailing zeros

• Use modulo and division operations to extract digits and reverse the number

• Handle cases where the reversed number has leading zeros by omitting them

• Ensure the reversed number is within the constraints specified
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Q3. 
Reverse the String Problem Statement
You are given a string STR which contains alphabets, numbers, and special characters. Your task is to reverse the string.
Example:
Input:
STR = "abcde"
Output:
"e...read more
Ans. 
Reverse a given string containing alphabets, numbers, and special characters.
• Iterate through the string from end to start and append each character to a new string.

• Use built-in functions like reverse() or slicing to reverse the string.

• Handle special characters and numbers while reversing the string.

• Ensure to consider the constraints provided in the problem statement.
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Q4. What is overloading in the context of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)?
Ans. 
Overloading in OOP is the ability to define multiple methods with the same name but different parameters.
• Overloading allows multiple methods with the same name but different parameters to coexist in a class.

• The compiler determines which method to call based on the number and type of arguments passed.

• Example: having multiple constructors in a class with different parameter lists.
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Round duration - 60 minutes
Round difficulty - Medium

Technical round with question based on Web Dev, Cloud Computing, Networking etc.

Q1. What is TELNET?
Ans. 
TELNET is a network protocol used to establish a connection with a remote computer over a network.
• TELNET stands for Telecommunication Network.

• It allows a user to log in to a remote computer and execute commands as if they were directly connected to that computer.

• TELNET operates on port 23.

• It is not secure as the data is transmitted in plain text.

• SSH (Secure Shell) is a more secure alternative to TELNET.
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Q2. What is the difference between TELNET and SSH?
Ans. 
TELNET is insecure, while SSH is secure for remote access to servers.
• TELNET sends data in plain text, while SSH encrypts data for secure communication

• SSH uses public-key cryptography for authentication, TELNET does not

• SSH provides secure remote access to servers, TELNET does not prioritize security

• TELNET operates on port 23, while SSH operates on port 22
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Q3. 
Problem: Sort an Array of 0s, 1s, and 2s
Given an array/list ARR consisting of integers where each element is either 0, 1, or 2, your task is to sort this array in increasing order.
Input:
The input sta...read more
Ans. 
Sort an array of 0s, 1s, and 2s in increasing order.
• Use a three-pointer approach to partition the array into sections of 0s, 1s, and 2s.

• Iterate through the array and swap elements based on their values.

• Time complexity should be O(n) to meet the constraints.
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Q4. What is a hypervisor?
Ans. 
A hypervisor is a software that creates and runs virtual machines on a physical host machine.
• Hypervisors allow multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine

• They provide isolation between virtual machines

• Examples include VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM
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Q5. Can you explain cloud computing in layman’s terms?
Ans. 
Cloud computing is like renting a computer over the internet instead of owning one.
• Cloud computing allows users to access and store data and applications over the internet instead of on their own physical computer.

• It offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness as users can easily adjust their storage and computing needs.

• Examples include services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cl
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Q6. What are the stages in the Software Development Life Cycle?
Ans. 
The stages in the Software Development Life Cycle include planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• 1. Planning: Define project scope, requirements, and timelines.

• 2. Design: Create architecture, UI/UX, and database design.

• 3. Development: Write code based on design specifications.

• 4. Testing: Verify functionality, performance, and security.

• 5. Deployment: Release the software to users or clients.

• ...read more
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Round duration - 60 minutes
Round difficulty - Medium

Technical Interview round with questions based on DSA and OOPS. A detailed discussion on my projects was also carried out.

Q1. 
Common Elements in Three Sorted Arrays
Given three sorted arrays A, B, and C of lengths N, M, and K respectively, your task is to find all elements that are present in all three arrays.
Input:
The first...read more
Ans. 
Find common elements in three sorted arrays and output them in order.
• Iterate through all three arrays simultaneously using three pointers.

• Compare elements at pointers and move pointers accordingly.

• If elements are equal, add to result and move all pointers forward.

• If elements are not equal, move pointer of smallest element forward.
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Q2. What is a volatile variable?
Ans. 
A volatile variable is a variable that can be modified by multiple threads simultaneously.
• Volatile variables are used in multithreading to ensure visibility of changes made by one thread to other threads.

• They are not cached in thread's local memory, but always read from main memory.

• They are typically used for flags or status variables that are accessed by multiple threads.

• Example: 'volatile boolean flag = true;'
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Q3. Can you explain the concept of multithreading in Java?
Ans. 
Multithreading in Java allows multiple threads to execute concurrently, improving performance and responsiveness.
• Multithreading allows multiple threads to run concurrently within a single process.

• Threads share the same memory space, allowing for efficient communication and data sharing.

• Java provides built-in support for multithreading through the Thread class and Runnable interface.

• Example: Creating a new thread using ...read more
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Round duration - 30 minutes
Round difficulty - Easy

HR round with typical behavioral problems.