10+ HSBC Group Software Engineer Trainee Interview Questions and Answers

Check if a given singly linked list of integers is a palindrome or not.

• Traverse the linked list to find the middle element using slow and fast pointers.

• Reverse the second half of the linked list.

• Compare the first half with the reversed second half to determine if it is a palindrome.

• Example: Input: 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 2 -> 1 -> NULL, Output: true

Implement a function to search for a target integer in a 2D matrix with sorted rows.

• Iterate through each row of the matrix and perform a binary search on each row to find the target integer.

• Start the binary search by considering the entire row as a sorted array.

• If the target is found in any row, return 'TRUE'; otherwise, return 'FALSE'.

Find the maximum level sum in a binary tree by calculating the sum of nodes at each level.

• Traverse the binary tree level by level and calculate the sum of nodes at each level.

• Keep track of the maximum level sum encountered so far.

• Return the maximum level sum as the final result.

Reverse a singly linked list by altering the links between nodes.

• Iterate through the linked list and reverse the links between nodes.

• Keep track of the previous, current, and next nodes while reversing the links.

• Update the head of the linked list to the last node after reversal.

Calculate x raised to the power of n. Handle edge case of 0^0 = 1.

• Accept x and n as input from user

• Compute x^n and display the result

• Handle edge case of 0^0 = 1

• Ensure x is between 0 and 8, n is between 0 and 9

Count the total number of inversions in an integer array.

• Iterate through the array and for each element, check how many elements to its right are smaller than it.

• Use a merge sort based approach to efficiently count the inversions.

• Keep track of the count of inversions while merging the sorted subarrays.

• Example: For input [2, 4, 1, 3, 5], there are 3 inversions: (2, 1), (4, 1), and (4, 3).

Check if a given singly linked list is a palindrome or not.

• Traverse the linked list to find the middle element using slow and fast pointers.

• Reverse the second half of the linked list.

• Compare the first half with the reversed second half to determine if it's a palindrome.

Abstract class can have both abstract and non-abstract methods, while interface can only have abstract methods.

• Abstract class can have method implementations, while interface cannot.

• A class can implement multiple interfaces, but can only inherit from one abstract class.

• Interfaces are used to define contracts for classes to implement, while abstract classes are used to provide a common base for subclasses.

• Example: Abstract class 'Shape' with abstract method 'calculateArea' and...read more

Overloading is having multiple methods in the same class with the same name but different parameters. Overriding is implementing a method in a subclass that is already present in the superclass.

• Overloading involves multiple methods with the same name but different parameters

• Overriding involves implementing a method in a subclass that is already present in the superclass

• Overloading is determined at compile time, while overriding is determined at runtime

DELETE removes specific rows from a table, while TRUNCATE removes all rows and resets auto-increment values.

• DELETE is a DML command, while TRUNCATE is a DDL command.

• DELETE can be rolled back, while TRUNCATE cannot be rolled back.

• DELETE triggers ON DELETE triggers, while TRUNCATE does not trigger any triggers.

• DELETE is slower as it logs individual row deletions, while TRUNCATE is faster as it deallocates data pages.

• Example: DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition; TRUNCATE tabl...read more

Normalization is the process of organizing data in a database to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. Denormalization is the opposite process.

• Normalization involves breaking down data into smaller, more manageable tables to reduce redundancy.

• Denormalization involves combining tables to improve query performance.

• Normalization helps maintain data integrity by reducing the risk of anomalies.

• Denormalization can improve read performance but may lead to data redundancy.

• Exa...read more

Static polymorphism refers to the mechanism where the method to be called is determined at compile time.

• Method overloading is an example of static polymorphism where the method to be called is resolved at compile time based on the method signature.

• Compile-time polymorphism is another term for static polymorphism.

• Static polymorphism is achieved through function overloading and operator overloading.

Private and special IP addresses are reserved ranges of IP addresses used for specific purposes.

• Private IP addresses are used within a private network and are not routable on the internet.

• Special IP addresses include loopback address (127.0.0.1) and broadcast address (255.255.255.255).

• Private IP ranges include 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255.

The OSI Reference Model defines 7 layers that represent different functions in networking.

• Physical Layer - deals with physical connections and signals (e.g. cables, hubs)

• Data Link Layer - manages data transfer between devices on the same network (e.g. Ethernet)

• Network Layer - handles routing and forwarding of data packets (e.g. IP)

• Transport Layer - ensures reliable data delivery (e.g. TCP)

• Session Layer - establishes, maintains, and terminates connections (e.g. SSL)

• Presentatio...read more

I am familiar with concepts such as encryption, network security, access control, and security protocols.

• Encryption methods such as AES, RSA, and DES

• Network security practices like firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems

• Access control mechanisms like role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication

• Security protocols such as SSL/TLS, IPsec, and SSH

Composite key is a combination of multiple columns to uniquely identify a record, while primary key is a unique identifier for a record and unique key allows only unique values.

• Composite key is made up of multiple columns to uniquely identify a record

• Primary key is a unique identifier for a record and cannot have duplicate values

• Unique key allows only unique values but can have null values

Quick Sort is a popular sorting algorithm that uses divide and conquer strategy to sort elements in an array.

• Quick Sort picks a pivot element and partitions the array around the pivot.

• It recursively sorts the sub-arrays on either side of the pivot.

• The process continues until the entire array is sorted.

• Example: Given array [5, 2, 9, 3, 7], after Quick Sort it becomes [2, 3, 5, 7, 9].