300+ Planet Spark Interview Questions and Answers

Increase in fiscal deficit leads to depreciation of exchange rate.

• Fiscal deficit means government spending exceeds revenue, leading to increased borrowing.

• This increases the supply of domestic currency, leading to depreciation.

• Investors may demand higher interest rates to compensate for increased risk, further depreciating the exchange rate.

• Examples include India's rupee depreciation due to high fiscal deficit in 2013 and Argentina's peso depreciation in 2018.

Merge multiple sorted arrays into one sorted array

• Iterate through each array and merge them into a single array

• Use a priority queue or heap data structure to efficiently merge the arrays

• Implement a merge sort algorithm to combine the arrays into one sorted array

An LRU cache can be made using a doubly linked list and a hash map.

• Create a doubly linked list to store the cache items.

• Create a hash map to store the key-value pairs.

• When a new item is added, check if the cache is full. If it is, remove the least recently used item from the linked list and hash map.

• When an item is accessed, move it to the front of the linked list.

• When an item is removed, remove it from both the linked list and hash map.

Find integer solutions of x^y=y^x.

• If x=y, then x^y=y^x=1

• If x

• If x>y, then x^y>y^x

• Only solution is (2,4) and (4,2)

• Use logarithms to prove

Refine graph traversing solution by optimizing algorithms and data structures.

• Use efficient algorithms like Dijkstra's or A* for shortest path traversal.

• Implement data structures like priority queues or heaps for faster traversal.

• Consider using parallel processing or distributed computing for large graphs.

• Optimize memory usage by using compressed data structures like succinct graphs.

• Use caching to avoid redundant computations and improve performance.

Hedge funds are actively managed investment funds that use various strategies to generate high returns, while private equity firms invest in private companies and aim to increase their value.

• Hedge funds are open to a wider range of investors than private equity funds

• Hedge funds use leverage to increase returns, while private equity firms use debt to finance acquisitions

• Hedge funds have a shorter investment horizon than private equity firms

• Private equity firms typically take a...read more

e^π is greater than π^e.

• e^π ≈ 23.14

• π^e ≈ 22.46

• e^π > π^e

Print all nodes at a distance k from a given node in binary tree

• Use Depth First Search (DFS) to traverse the tree

• Maintain a variable to keep track of the distance from the given node

• Print the nodes when the distance is equal to k

Function to return column name for a given column number in Excel sheet.

• Divide the given column number by 26 and get the quotient and remainder.

• Convert the remainder to the corresponding column name letter.

• Repeat the above steps with the quotient until quotient is zero.

• Join the column name letters in reverse order to get the final column name.

Java is used over C/C++ when platform independence, ease of use, and security are important.

• Java is platform independent, meaning it can run on any operating system or hardware that has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). C/C++ code needs to be compiled separately for each platform.

• Java has automatic memory management, reducing the risk of memory leaks and making it easier to write and maintain code. C/C++ requires manual memory management.

• Java has built-in security features, such ...read more

Yes, change in working capital can be negative.

• A negative change in working capital means that current liabilities have increased more than current assets.

• This can happen when a company pays off short-term debt or reduces its inventory levels.

• Negative working capital can also indicate that a company is experiencing financial difficulties.

• However, it is important to analyze the reasons behind the negative change in working capital before drawing conclusions.

• Negative working ca...read more

Design a newspaper subscription system

• Create a user registration system

• Allow users to select subscription plan and payment method

• Provide options for delivery frequency and start/end dates

• Send reminders for subscription renewal

• Allow users to modify or cancel subscription

• Track subscription history and payment records

To determine if two rectangles are overlapping, compare the coordinates of their corners.

• Compare the x-coordinates of the rightmost corner of the first rectangle and the leftmost corner of the second rectangle.

• Compare the x-coordinates of the leftmost corner of the first rectangle and the rightmost corner of the second rectangle.

• Compare the y-coordinates of the topmost corner of the first rectangle and the bottommost corner of the second rectangle.

• Compare the y-coordinates of...read more

Yes, Outlook .pst or .ost files can get corrupt. Recovery can be done using scanpst.exe or third-party tools.

• Corruption can occur due to various reasons such as sudden shutdown, virus attack, or oversized file.

• Scanpst.exe is a built-in tool in Outlook that can be used to repair minor corruption issues.

• For major corruption issues, third-party tools like Stellar Repair for Outlook can be used.

• It is important to regularly backup .pst or .ost files to avoid data loss.

Binary Search Tree is a data structure where each node has at most two children, with left child less than parent and right child greater.

• Nodes have at most two children - left and right

• Left child is less than parent, right child is greater

• Allows for efficient searching, insertion, and deletion of elements

Companies go for share buyback to increase shareholder value and improve financial ratios.

• To return excess cash to shareholders

• To increase earnings per share by reducing the number of outstanding shares

• To improve financial ratios such as return on equity and earnings per share

• To signal to the market that the company believes its shares are undervalued

• To prevent hostile takeovers by reducing the number of outstanding shares

• Examples: Apple, Microsoft, IBM

Elder abuse is mistreatment of older adults, which can be physical, emotional, financial, or sexual.

• Detecting elder abuse involves looking for signs of physical injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or burns

• Changes in behavior, such as withdrawal or depression, can also be a sign of elder abuse

• Unexplained financial transactions or sudden changes in a senior's financial situation can indicate financial abuse

• Sexual abuse can be detected by observing signs of trauma or changes in beh...read more

The missing number in the array can be found by calculating the sum of all numbers in the array and then subtracting it from the sum of numbers from 1 to n.

• Calculate the sum of all numbers in the array.

• Calculate the sum of numbers from 1 to n using the formula n*(n+1)/2.

• Subtract the sum of array from the sum of numbers from 1 to n to find the missing number.

Using 8,8,3,3 and only *, /, -, + operators, make 24.

• Start with 8+8=16

• Divide 3 by 3 to get 1

• Multiply 16 by 1 to get 16

• Add 8 to 16 to get 24

Yes, I once made an error in processing a customer order, but it was caught during the quality check process.

• Made an error in processing a customer order by entering the wrong quantity

• Error was caught during the quality check process before the order was shipped out

• Implemented double-checking procedures to prevent similar errors in the future

Asset management is the process of managing and optimizing a company's assets to maximize their value and minimize risk.

• Asset management involves identifying, tracking, and evaluating assets

• It includes developing strategies to optimize asset performance and minimize risk

• Examples of assets that can be managed include financial investments, real estate, and equipment

• Asset management can be done in-house or outsourced to a third-party firm

Custodian banking involves holding and safeguarding financial assets on behalf of clients.

• Custodian banks provide services such as asset safekeeping, settlement of trades, and corporate actions processing.

• They also offer reporting and analytics to clients on their holdings and transactions.

• Examples of custodian banks include State Street, BNY Mellon, and J.P. Morgan.

• Custodian banking is important for institutional investors such as pension funds, mutual funds, and hedge funds...read more

To setup a system or provide support to clients, one needs to have technical knowledge and communication skills.

• Understand the client's requirements and provide solutions accordingly

• Install and configure hardware and software components

• Provide training and support to clients

• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues

• Maintain documentation and keep track of system updates

• Communicate effectively with clients and team members

Function to randomly select pivot element in Quick Sort

• Generate a random index within the range of the array

• Return the element at the randomly generated index as the pivot

Find the element in an array that is not repeated.

• Iterate through the array and use a hash table to keep track of the count of each element.

• After iterating, find the element with a count of 1 in the hash table.

• Return the element that is not repeated.

A program to play Brick ball game can be developed using a game engine and programming language.

• Choose a game engine like Unity or Unreal Engine to develop the game

• Use a programming language like C# or C++ to code the game mechanics

• Implement physics engine to simulate ball and brick collisions

• Design levels with increasing difficulty and power-ups for the player

• Add sound effects and music to enhance the gaming experience

Trade life cycle refers to the stages involved in a trade from initiation to settlement.

• Trade initiation - Trade is proposed and agreed upon by parties involved

• Trade execution - Trade is executed on the exchange or over-the-counter market

• Trade confirmation - Parties confirm the details of the trade

• Trade settlement - Payment and transfer of securities occur

• Trade reconciliation - Ensuring all details match between parties

Printing all subsets of a given set.

• Use recursion to generate all possible subsets.

• For each element in the set, either include it or exclude it in the subset.

• Base case is when the set is empty, print the subset.

• Time complexity is O(2^n) where n is the size of the set.

Private equity is a type of investment where funds are raised from investors to acquire or invest in companies that are not publicly traded.

• Private equity firms typically buy a controlling stake in a company and then work to improve its operations and profitability before selling it for a profit.

• Private equity investments are typically made in mature companies with a proven track record of success.

• Private equity firms may also invest in distressed companies with the goal of t...read more

Expected number of trials for 4 consecutive heads with a fair coin.

• The probability of getting 4 consecutive heads is 1/2^4 = 1/16

• The expected number of trials for 4 consecutive heads is 1/p = 16

• This is because the expected value of a geometric distribution with probability p is 1/p

• Therefore, the expected number of flips for 4 consecutive heads is 16

Disputes, banking, complaints, and SLA are key aspects of customer service in the financial industry.

• Disputes in banking refer to disagreements between customers and financial institutions regarding transactions or services.

• Complaints are formal expressions of dissatisfaction from customers about the services provided by a bank.

• SLA (Service Level Agreement) is a contract between a service provider and a customer that outlines the level of service expected.

• Effective handling o...read more

Efficiently determine if a given graph contains a 3 cycle.

• Use depth-first search (DFS) to traverse the graph

• For each node, check if there is a path of length 3 that ends at that node

• If such a path exists, return true

• If DFS completes without finding a 3 cycle, return false

Count the number of parenthesis to be removed to make it valid.

• Iterate through the string and keep track of open and close parenthesis.

• If a close parenthesis is encountered without a corresponding open parenthesis, increment the count of removals.

• Return the total count of removals needed to make the string valid.

A callback function is a function that is passed as an argument to another function and is executed later.

• A callback function is defined separately and passed as an argument to another function.

• The function that receives the callback function can then call it at a later time.

• Callback functions are commonly used in asynchronous programming or event-driven programming.

• Example: function fetchData(callback) { ... }

• Example: fetchData(function(data) { console.log(data); });

Find the next largest in the right side for every array element.

• Iterate through the array from right to left

• Use a stack to keep track of elements

• Pop elements from stack until a greater element is found

• If no greater element is found, assign -1

Sort unsorted characters in a stack without using extra space

• Pop the top element from the original stack

• Compare it with the top element of the sorted stack

• If the element is greater, push it to the sorted stack

• If the element is smaller, pop elements from the sorted stack and push them to the original stack until the top element of the sorted stack is greater

• Repeat until the original stack is empty

Immutable classes are classes whose instances cannot be modified after creation.

• Immutable classes have all fields marked as final and private.

• They do not have any setter methods to modify the state of the object.

• Any modification to an immutable object results in a new object being created.

• Example of an immutable class: public class Person { private final String name; private final int age; public Person(String name, int age) { this.name = name; this.age = age; } public String...read more

Investment banks provide financial services to corporations, governments, and individuals.

• They help companies raise capital by issuing stocks and bonds.

• They provide advisory services for mergers and acquisitions.

• They facilitate trading of securities in the financial markets.

• They offer research and analysis on various investment opportunities.

• They assist in managing risk and provide hedging strategies.

• They offer wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals.

• They pla...read more

One of my strengths is my ability to analyze complex data and identify key insights.

• Strong analytical skills

• Ability to think critically and problem-solve

• Experience with data analysis tools such as Excel or Tableau

WACC stands for Weighted Average Cost of Capital. It is the average cost of all the capital used by a company.

• WACC is used to determine the minimum return a company must earn on its investments to satisfy its investors.

• It takes into account the cost of debt and equity, as well as the proportion of each in the company's capital structure.

• The formula for WACC is: (Cost of Equity x % Equity) + (Cost of Debt x % Debt) + (Cost of Preferred Stock x % Preferred Stock)

• For example, if...read more

LRU cache is implemented using a doubly linked list and a hash map.

• Create a doubly linked list to keep track of the order of elements in the cache.

• Create a hash map to store the key-value pairs of the cache.

• When a new element is added, check if the cache is full. If it is, remove the least recently used element from the linked list and the hash map.

• When an element is accessed, move it to the front of the linked list to mark it as the most recently used.

• When an element is remo...read more

Designing a food delivery app

• Identify target audience and their needs

• Create user-friendly interface for ordering food

• Integrate payment gateway for easy transactions

• Develop a tracking system for delivery status

• Ensure timely delivery and quality of food

• Implement customer feedback system for improvement

• Partner with local restaurants for wider menu options

I read about the rise in stock prices of Tesla Inc.

• Tesla's stock price rose by 8% in a single day due to the announcement of a 5-for-1 stock split.

• This move will make Tesla's shares more affordable for investors.

• The company's market capitalization has now surpassed that of Toyota, making it the world's most valuable automaker.

Linked list algorithms involve operations on linked lists, such as insertion, deletion, and traversal.

• Linked list algorithms are used to manipulate data stored in linked lists.

• Common operations include inserting a new node, deleting a node, and traversing the list.

• Examples of linked list algorithms include reversing a linked list, finding the middle node, and detecting a loop in the list.

To improve model performance beyond hyperopt, consider ensemble methods, feature engineering, and data augmentation.

• Implement ensemble methods like bagging, boosting, or stacking to combine multiple models.

• Perform feature engineering to create new informative features or transform existing ones.

• Apply data augmentation techniques to increase the size and diversity of the training data.

• Consider using advanced algorithms like XGBoost, Random Forest, or Neural Networks.

• Regularize...read more

Address the issue by discussing with the developer to understand the reason for not working and finding a solution together.

• Schedule a meeting with the developer to discuss the situation and understand the reasons for not working.

• Provide support and resources to help the developer overcome any obstacles they may be facing.

• Collaborate with the developer to come up with a plan to address the issue and ensure work is completed on time.

• Monitor progress closely and offer assistanc...read more

Java 8 introduced lambda expressions, functional interfaces, and forEach method.

• Lambda expressions allow functional programming in Java.

• Functional interfaces are interfaces with only one abstract method.

• forEach method is used to iterate over collections in a concise way.

• Stream API is also introduced in Java 8 for processing collections.

• Optional class is introduced to handle null values.

• Default and static methods are also introduced in interfaces.

An anagram program can be implemented using hashing or sorting techniques.

• Hashing approach: Use a hash table to store the sorted characters of each word. Compare the hash values to find anagrams.

• Sorting approach: Sort the characters of each word and compare the sorted strings to find anagrams.

• Example: For input ['cat', 'act', 'dog', 'god'], the hashing approach would group 'cat' and 'act' as anagrams, while the sorting approach would group 'dog' and 'god'.

The code finds the first non-repeating character in a given string.

• Iterate through the string and count the occurrences of each character using a hash map.

• Iterate through the string again and return the first character with a count of 1.

• If no such character is found, return null or an empty string.

Find shortest path in 0,1 matrix from (0,0) to (n-1,n-1)

• Use Breadth First Search (BFS) algorithm to find shortest path

• Create a visited matrix to keep track of visited nodes

• Create a distance matrix to keep track of distance from source node

• Start BFS from (0,0) and keep updating visited and distance matrices

• Return distance value at (n-1,n-1) in distance matrix

Yes, we have implemented automation in our customer service department.

• We have implemented chatbots to handle basic customer queries.

• We have also automated the process of ticket creation and assignment.

• This has resulted in faster resolution times and increased customer satisfaction.

• We have also used data analytics to identify common customer issues and proactively address them.

• This has reduced the number of customer complaints and improved overall efficiency.

The ant can reach the opposite side of the cube in a minimum of 3 moves.

• The cube has 6 faces, so the ant needs to move to a face opposite to its starting position.

• The ant can move along the edges of the cube to reach the opposite face.

• The shortest path for the ant to reach the opposite face is by moving along the edges of a single face, then crossing to the adjacent face, and finally moving along the edges of the opposite face.

• Therefore, the ant can reach the opposite side of...read more

O(n) time complexity using a single pass algorithm

• Iterate through the array and keep track of the two largest numbers

• Initialize two variables to store the largest and second largest numbers

• Compare each element with the largest and second largest numbers and update accordingly

• Return the two largest numbers

• Example: [5, 8, 3, 9, 12] -> largest: 12, second largest: 9

Clone a binary tree with random pointer

• Create a new node for each node in the original tree

• Store the mapping of original node to new node in a hash map

• Traverse the original tree and for each node, connect the corresponding new node's random pointer

• Return the root of the new tree

Check if a linked list with 2n+1 elements is a palindrome without using extra space

• Traverse the linked list to find the middle node

• Reverse the second half of the linked list

• Compare the first half with the reversed second half

• If all elements match, it is a palindrome

To classify tweets as Retweet - Analytics, we can look for the presence of 'RT' and analyze engagement metrics.

• Look for the presence of 'RT' in the tweet text

• Analyze engagement metrics such as number of likes, retweets, and comments

• Consider the source of the tweet - if it is from a verified account or has a large following, it is more likely to be a retweet

• Use machine learning algorithms to classify tweets based on patterns and features

Swap two variables without using third variable

• Use arithmetic operations to swap the values

• Add the values of the two variables and store it in one variable

• Subtract the value of one variable from the sum and store it in the other variable

• Subtract the value of the other variable from the sum and store it in the first variable

Find peak in array in less than O(n) time

• Use binary search to find peak element

• Compare middle element with its neighbors to determine direction

• Repeat search in direction of larger neighbor until peak is found

State Machine is implemented by defining states, transitions, and actions to control the flow of a system.

• Define the states of the system

• Identify the possible transitions between states

• Specify the actions to be performed during each transition

• Implement the state transitions and actions in code

• Use appropriate data structures to represent the states and transitions

• Ensure proper error handling and fallback mechanisms

Swap two numbers using only 2 variables

• Use XOR operation to swap two numbers without using a third variable

• Example: a = 5, b = 10; a = a ^ b; b = a ^ b; a = a ^ b; // a = 10, b = 5

To tune model performance, adjust hyperparameters, preprocess data, increase training data, and use ensemble methods.

• Adjust hyperparameters such as learning rate, regularization, and batch size.

• Preprocess data by scaling, normalizing, or handling missing values.

• Increase training data to reduce overfitting and improve generalization.

• Use ensemble methods like bagging or boosting to combine multiple models.

• Perform cross-validation to evaluate model performance and select the bes...read more

The best complexity for finding the largest number in a set is O(n).

• Iterate through the set and keep track of the largest number seen so far.

• Compare each number to the current largest number and update if necessary.

• This approach has a time complexity of O(n) and is the most efficient for finding the largest number in a set.

AML and KYC requirements are regulations that financial institutions must follow to prevent money laundering and verify the identity of their customers.

• AML (Anti-Money Laundering) requirements involve monitoring transactions, reporting suspicious activities, and conducting customer due diligence.

• KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements involve verifying the identity of customers, assessing their risk level, and maintaining updated customer information.

• Examples of AML and KYC req...read more

The static keyword is used in different circumstances to define variables, methods, and classes.

• Static variables are shared among all instances of a class

• Static methods can be called without creating an instance of a class

• Static classes cannot be instantiated and are used for grouping related methods and variables

• Static blocks are used to initialize static variables or perform one-time actions

Find the maximum sub-array with continuous numbers

• Iterate through the array and keep track of the current sub-array sum

• Update the maximum sum and sub-array indices as you iterate

• Handle cases where the array contains negative numbers as well

• Example: Input array [2, 3, -4, 5, 7], maximum sub-array is [2, 3, -4, 5, 7]

Count the number of islands in a 2D grid variant, focusing on time complexity.

• Use Depth First Search (DFS) or Breadth First Search (BFS) to traverse the grid and mark visited islands.

• Optimize by using Union Find data structure to keep track of connected islands.

• Time complexity can be O(m*n) where m is the number of rows and n is the number of columns.

I turned a negative situation into a positive one by finding a creative solution.

• Identified the root cause of the negative situation

• Brainstormed potential solutions

• Implemented a creative solution that turned the situation around

• Communicated effectively with team members to ensure success

Networking refers to the process of connecting devices and systems to share information and resources.

• Networking involves the use of hardware and software to establish connections between devices and systems.

• Networking allows for the sharing of information and resources, such as files, printers, and internet access.

• Networking can be done through various methods, including wired and wireless connections.

• Examples of networking technologies include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth...read more

Chargeback and fraud are common issues in financial transactions, involving unauthorized transactions and disputes.

• Chargeback is a process where a customer disputes a transaction and the funds are returned to the customer.

• Fraud involves unauthorized or deceptive activities to gain financial advantage.

• Fraud can occur through various methods such as identity theft, phishing, and card skimming.

• Fraud analysts use data analysis and investigation techniques to detect and prevent fr...read more

ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load. It is a process of extracting data from various sources, transforming it into a usable format, and loading it into a target database.

• ETL is a crucial process in data engineering for moving and transforming data between systems.

• Common ETL tools include Informatica, Talend, Apache NiFi, SSIS, and Apache Spark.

• ETL tools help automate the process of extracting data from different sources, transforming it according to business rules, and lo...read more

Print all nodes at a distance k from a given node

• Use Depth First Search (DFS) to traverse the tree and keep track of the distance from the given node

• When the distance is equal to k, add the node to the result

• If the distance is less than k, continue traversing the tree recursively

• If the distance is greater than k, backtrack to the parent node and continue traversing

• Time complexity: O(n), Space complexity: O(h)

Fixed income securities are investments that pay a fixed interest or dividend income, such as bonds and certificates of deposit.

• Fixed income securities are debt instruments issued by governments, corporations, or other entities to raise capital.

• Investors receive regular interest payments until the maturity date, when the principal amount is repaid.

• Examples include Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and preferred stocks.

• Fixed income securities are considered les...read more

Bonds matching process involves pairing bond issuers with investors based on their preferences and requirements.

• Bonds matching process helps bond issuers find suitable investors for their bonds

• Investors specify their preferences such as bond type, duration, yield, etc.

• The matching process uses algorithms to match bond issuers with investors based on their criteria

• This process helps streamline the bond issuance and investment process

RCA stands for Root Cause Analysis and includes identifying the underlying cause of a problem or issue.

• Identifying the problem or issue

• Gathering data and evidence

• Analyzing the data to determine the root cause

• Developing and implementing solutions to address the root cause

• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the solutions

• Examples: RCA for a manufacturing defect, RCA for a customer complaint, RCA for a workplace accident

Company evaluation methods are techniques used to assess the financial health and performance of a company.

• Financial ratio analysis

• Discounted cash flow analysis

• Comparable company analysis

• Asset-based valuation

• Earnings multiples

• Scenario analysis

• Market capitalization

• Dividend discount model