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TCS Big Data Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Updated 7 Jan 2025

9 Interview questions

A Big Data Engineer was asked 6mo ago
Q. What optimization techniques have you utilized in your projects? Please explain with specific use cases.
Ans. 

I have utilized optimization techniques such as indexing, caching, and parallel processing in my projects.

  • Implemented indexing on large datasets to improve query performance

  • Utilized caching to store frequently accessed data and reduce load times

  • Implemented parallel processing to speed up data processing tasks

A Big Data Engineer was asked 6mo ago
Q. What is the difference between lineage and directed acyclic graphs (DAG)?
Ans. 

Lineage tracks the history of data transformations, while DAG is a graph structure with nodes representing tasks and edges representing dependencies.

  • Lineage focuses on the history of data transformations, showing how data has been derived or modified.

  • DAG is a graph structure where nodes represent tasks and edges represent dependencies between tasks.

  • Lineage helps in understanding the data flow and ensuring data qua...

Big Data Engineer Interview Questions Asked at Other Companies

Q1. Difference between partitioning and bucketing. Types of joins in ... read more
asked in TCS
Q2. What optimization techniques have you utilized in your projects? ... read more
Q3. Given the following data: col1 100 100 200 200 300 400 400 400 Us ... read more
Q4. Write a program to check if a Fibonacci number is present within ... read more
asked in TCS
Q5. What is the difference between lineage and directed acyclic graph ... read more
A Big Data Engineer was asked 6mo ago
Q. What is the difference between cache and persistence?
Ans. 

Cache is temporary storage used to store frequently accessed data for quick retrieval, while persistence refers to storing data permanently.

  • Cache is temporary and volatile, while persistence is permanent and non-volatile

  • Cache is typically faster to access than persistence

  • Examples of cache include browser cache, CPU cache, and in-memory cache systems like Redis

  • Examples of persistence include databases like MySQL, P...

A Big Data Engineer was asked
Q. What is the difference between tuples and lists?
Ans. 

Tuples are immutable and fixed in size, while lists are mutable and can change in size.

  • Tuples are created using parentheses, while lists are created using square brackets.

  • Tuples are faster than lists for iteration and accessing elements.

  • Tuples are used for heterogeneous data types, while lists are used for homogeneous data types.

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A Big Data Engineer was asked
Q. What is the difference between external and internal tables?
Ans. 

External tables are stored outside the database while internal tables are stored within the database.

  • External tables are created using the LOCATION clause to specify the data location.

  • Internal tables are created using the CREATE TABLE statement.

  • External tables can be accessed by multiple databases while internal tables are specific to a single database.

  • External tables are not managed by the database and can be del...

A Big Data Engineer was asked
Q. What methods do you use?
Ans. 

I use a combination of programming languages, tools, and frameworks to analyze and process large datasets.

  • Utilize programming languages like Python, Java, or Scala for data processing

  • Leverage tools like Hadoop, Spark, or Kafka for distributed computing

  • Implement frameworks like MapReduce or Apache Flink for data analysis

  • Use SQL or NoSQL databases for data storage and retrieval

A Big Data Engineer was asked
Q. What have you implemented?
Ans. 

Implemented a real-time data processing system using Apache Kafka and Spark for analyzing customer behavior.

  • Developed data pipelines to ingest, process, and analyze large volumes of data

  • Utilized Apache Kafka for real-time data streaming

  • Implemented machine learning algorithms for predictive analytics

  • Optimized data storage and retrieval for faster query performance

Are these interview questions helpful?
A Big Data Engineer was asked
Q. What is Hive Metastore?
Ans. 

Hive metastore is a central repository that stores metadata for Hive tables, including schema and location.

  • Hive metastore is used to manage metadata for Hive tables.

  • It stores information about the schema, location, and other attributes of tables.

  • The metastore can be configured to use different databases, such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.

  • It allows for sharing metadata across multiple Hive instances.

  • The metastore can be ...

A Big Data Engineer was asked
Q. What is the Spark architecture?
Ans. 

Spark architecture is a distributed computing framework that consists of a cluster manager, a distributed storage system, and a processing engine.

  • Spark architecture is based on a master-slave architecture.

  • The cluster manager is responsible for managing the resources of the cluster.

  • The distributed storage system is used to store data across the cluster.

  • The processing engine is responsible for executing the tasks on...

TCS Big Data Engineer Interview Experiences

7 interviews found

Interview experience
2
Poor
Difficulty level
Easy
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I applied via Job Portal and was interviewed in Sep 2023. There were 3 interview rounds.

Round 1 - Resume Shortlist 
Pro Tip by AmbitionBox:
Don’t add your photo or details such as gender, age, and address in your resume. These details do not add any value.
View all tips
Round 2 - Aptitude Test 

Easy only so prepare well that's it

Round 3 - Technical 

(5 Questions)

  • Q1. What method you use
  • Ans. 

    I use a combination of programming languages, tools, and frameworks to analyze and process large datasets.

    • Utilize programming languages like Python, Java, or Scala for data processing

    • Leverage tools like Hadoop, Spark, or Kafka for distributed computing

    • Implement frameworks like MapReduce or Apache Flink for data analysis

    • Use SQL or NoSQL databases for data storage and retrieval

  • Answered by AI
  • Q2. Why you lleave current company
  • Q3. What skill you have
  • Q4. Tell about ur project
  • Q5. What you implemented
  • Ans. 

    Implemented a real-time data processing system using Apache Kafka and Spark for analyzing customer behavior.

    • Developed data pipelines to ingest, process, and analyze large volumes of data

    • Utilized Apache Kafka for real-time data streaming

    • Implemented machine learning algorithms for predictive analytics

    • Optimized data storage and retrieval for faster query performance

  • Answered by AI

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Do well easy

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Basic Big Data architecture and coding questions
Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. External and internal table difference
  • Ans. 

    External tables are stored outside the database while internal tables are stored within the database.

    • External tables are created using the LOCATION clause to specify the data location.

    • Internal tables are created using the CREATE TABLE statement.

    • External tables can be accessed by multiple databases while internal tables are specific to a single database.

    • External tables are not managed by the database and can be deleted ...

  • Answered by AI
Round 2 - HR 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Salary expectation
  • Ans. 

    I expect a competitive salary based on my skills, experience, and industry standards for a Big Data Engineer.

    • Based on my research, the average salary for a Big Data Engineer in this region is between $100,000 and $130,000.

    • I have over 5 years of experience in data engineering, which positions me for a salary on the higher end of that range.

    • I am also open to discussing additional benefits such as bonuses, stock options, ...

  • Answered by AI

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I applied via Referral and was interviewed before Jan 2024. There was 1 interview round.

Round 1 - Technical 

(3 Questions)

  • Q1. What is the difference between lineage and directed acyclic graphs (DAG)?
  • Ans. 

    Lineage tracks the history of data transformations, while DAG is a graph structure with nodes representing tasks and edges representing dependencies.

    • Lineage focuses on the history of data transformations, showing how data has been derived or modified.

    • DAG is a graph structure where nodes represent tasks and edges represent dependencies between tasks.

    • Lineage helps in understanding the data flow and ensuring data quality ...

  • Answered by AI
  • Q2. What optimization techniques have you utilized in your projects? Please explain with specific use cases.
  • Ans. 

    I have utilized optimization techniques such as indexing, caching, and parallel processing in my projects.

    • Implemented indexing on large datasets to improve query performance

    • Utilized caching to store frequently accessed data and reduce load times

    • Implemented parallel processing to speed up data processing tasks

  • Answered by AI
  • Q3. What is the difference between cache and persistence?
  • Ans. 

    Cache is temporary storage used to store frequently accessed data for quick retrieval, while persistence refers to storing data permanently.

    • Cache is temporary and volatile, while persistence is permanent and non-volatile

    • Cache is typically faster to access than persistence

    • Examples of cache include browser cache, CPU cache, and in-memory cache systems like Redis

    • Examples of persistence include databases like MySQL, Postgr...

  • Answered by AI

Interview Preparation Tips

Topics to prepare for TCS Big Data Engineer interview:
  • pyspark
  • SQL
  • Hive
  • Project Management
Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Clear your basics. All the best

I applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in Sep 2022. There were 2 interview rounds.

Round 1 - Resume Shortlist 
Pro Tip by AmbitionBox:
Keep your resume crisp and to the point. A recruiter looks at your resume for an average of 6 seconds, make sure to leave the best impression.
View all tips
Round 2 - Technical 

(4 Questions)

  • Q1. Spark , Hadoop Scala basic and advanced questions, SQL query 1)What repartition and coalesce. 3)Windows function .
  • Q2. What is hive metastore.
  • Ans. 

    Hive metastore is a central repository that stores metadata for Hive tables, including schema and location.

    • Hive metastore is used to manage metadata for Hive tables.

    • It stores information about the schema, location, and other attributes of tables.

    • The metastore can be configured to use different databases, such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.

    • It allows for sharing metadata across multiple Hive instances.

    • The metastore can be acces...

  • Answered by AI
  • Q3. Partitioning and bucketing
  • Q4. 2)What is spark architecture.
  • Ans. 

    Spark architecture is a distributed computing framework that consists of a cluster manager, a distributed storage system, and a processing engine.

    • Spark architecture is based on a master-slave architecture.

    • The cluster manager is responsible for managing the resources of the cluster.

    • The distributed storage system is used to store data across the cluster.

    • The processing engine is responsible for executing the tasks on the ...

  • Answered by AI

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Good company to work
Ask about your self . Ask Hadoop questions , spark architecture, repartition

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I applied via Campus Placement and was interviewed before Aug 2023. There were 4 interview rounds.

Round 1 - Aptitude Test 

General maths and English

Round 2 - Coding Test 

Basic program coding

Round 3 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. About basic questions and grasping power
  • Q2. About my personal life
Round 4 - HR 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Checking communication skills
Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
Easy
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I applied via Walk-in and was interviewed before May 2023. There was 1 interview round.

Round 1 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. What is the difference between tuples and list
  • Ans. 

    Tuples are immutable and fixed in size, while lists are mutable and can change in size.

    • Tuples are created using parentheses, while lists are created using square brackets.

    • Tuples are faster than lists for iteration and accessing elements.

    • Tuples are used for heterogeneous data types, while lists are used for homogeneous data types.

  • Answered by AI

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview questions from similar companies

I applied via Company Website and was interviewed before Feb 2020. There was 1 interview round.

Interview Questionnaire 

2 Questions

  • Q1. They asked about dbms questions in the form of table formate
  • Q2. They asked code for some python program

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Firstly they conducted computer based technical exam and then after qualifying that then we will go for face face interview and then lastly HR round will be held.

I applied via Job Portal and was interviewed before Dec 2019. There was 1 interview round.

Interview Questionnaire 

1 Question

  • Q1. First they ask basic questions like HTML SQL Java.

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - First we learn basics programming knowledge and we confident to attend interview and speak bold.

I applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in Aug 2018. There was 0 interview round.

Interview Preparation Tips

General Tips: All Java basic questions will be asked including servlets and jsp even about application and web servers. To clear,1st round you should have strong core Java knowledge along with few real time examples. Collections are mandatory.
Database knowledge could be expected. RestFul and soap along with spring and spring boot, your project details and your responsibilities.
Skills: SOAP, RestFul, Spring, Springboot, Java Application Development, Java Programming, Javascript, Communication, Body Language, Problem Solving, Analytical Skills, Decision Making Skills
Duration: 1-4 weeks

TCS Interview FAQs

How many rounds are there in TCS Big Data Engineer interview?
TCS interview process usually has 2 rounds. The most common rounds in the TCS interview process are Technical, Resume Shortlist and Aptitude Test.
How to prepare for TCS Big Data Engineer interview?
Go through your CV in detail and study all the technologies mentioned in your CV. Prepare at least two technologies or languages in depth if you are appearing for a technical interview at TCS. The most common topics and skills that interviewers at TCS expect are Big Data, Spark, Hive, SCALA and Hadoop.
What are the top questions asked in TCS Big Data Engineer interview?

Some of the top questions asked at the TCS Big Data Engineer interview -

  1. What optimization techniques have you utilized in your projects? Please explain...read more
  2. What is the difference between lineage and directed acyclic graphs (DA...read more
  3. What is the difference between cache and persisten...read more

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Overall Interview Experience Rating

4.2/5

based on 6 interview experiences

Difficulty level

Easy 50%
Moderate 50%

Duration

Less than 2 weeks 100%
View more
TCS Big Data Engineer Salary
based on 677 salaries
₹4.4 L/yr - ₹16.4 L/yr
17% less than the average Big Data Engineer Salary in India
View more details

TCS Big Data Engineer Reviews and Ratings

based on 56 reviews

3.7/5

Rating in categories

3.4

Skill development

4.3

Work-life balance

2.2

Salary

4.6

Job security

3.5

Company culture

2.3

Promotions

3.3

Work satisfaction

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