50+ Times Internet Interview Questions and Answers

Identify the largest prime factor of a given positive integer.

• Iterate from 2 to sqrt(n) to find prime factors

• Check if each factor is prime and update largest prime factor

• If no prime factor found, output -1

Yes, the cloning of a linked list with random pointer can be accomplished without utilizing extra space.

• Use a hashmap to store the mapping between original nodes and their corresponding cloned nodes.

• Iterate through the original linked list to create the cloned nodes and update the hashmap.

• Iterate through the original linked list again to set the next and random pointers of the cloned nodes using the hashmap.

• Time complexity: O(N), Space complexity: O(N) where N is the number o...read more

Find the smallest positive integer missing from an array of integers.

• Iterate through the array and mark positive integers as visited using index as a reference.

• After marking, iterate again to find the first unmarked index which represents the missing positive integer.

• Handle edge cases like duplicates and negative numbers appropriately.

• Example: For input [3, 4, -1, 1], the output should be 2.

Yes, the binary array sorting problem can be solved in linear time and constant space by using a two-pointer approach.

• Use two pointers, one starting from the beginning of the array and the other starting from the end.

• Swap 0s to the left side and 1s to the right side by incrementing and decrementing the pointers accordingly.

• Continue this process until the two pointers meet in the middle of the array.

• Example: Input: [1, 0, 1, 0, 1], Output: [0, 0, 1, 1, 1]

Balls are removed and replaced based on color. Find the last ball remaining.

• Start with 20 red and 16 blue balls

• Remove 2 balls and replace based on color

• Repeat until only one ball remains

Delete a given node from a Binary Search Tree (BST) and return the inorder traversal of the modified BST.

• Traverse the BST to find the node to be deleted.

• Handle different cases like node with no children, one child, or two children.

• Update the pointers of the parent node and child nodes accordingly.

• Perform inorder traversal after deletion to get the modified BST.

Insert a new node with a given value into a binary search tree while maintaining the properties of a BST.

• Traverse the BST starting from the root node and compare the value to be inserted with each node's value to determine the correct position for insertion.

• Insert the new node as a leaf node in the appropriate position to maintain the BST properties.

• Ensure that the resulting tree is a valid binary search tree by following the properties of a BST.

• Example: Inserting value 60 in...read more

Find the sum of the subarray with the maximum sum among all subarrays in a given array.

• Iterate through the array and keep track of the maximum sum subarray encountered so far.

• Use Kadane's algorithm to efficiently find the maximum subarray sum.

• Consider the case where all elements in the array are negative.

• Handle the case where the array contains only one element.

Find the second largest prime number and its index from an array of positive integers.

• Iterate through the array and check if each number is prime

• Store the largest and second largest prime numbers found so far

• Also store their indices

• Return the second largest prime number and its index

The average speed can be calculated by taking the harmonic mean of the two speeds.

• To calculate the harmonic mean, divide the sum of the speeds by the reciprocal of the sum of their reciprocals.

• In this case, the harmonic mean can be calculated as 2/(1/20 + 1/30) = 24 km/h.

The data structure to program a jigsaw puzzle program would be a graph.

• Use a graph data structure to represent the puzzle pieces and their connections.

• Each puzzle piece can be represented as a node in the graph.

• Edges between nodes represent the connections between puzzle pieces.

• To solve the puzzle, use graph traversal algorithms like depth-first search or breadth-first search.

• Apply puzzle-solving strategies like finding corner pieces first or matching edge colors.

The minimum number of steps to find the defective ball is 2.

• Divide the 8 balls into 3 groups of 3, 3, and 2 balls.

• Compare the weights of the two groups of 3 balls.

• If one group is heavier, divide it into 2 balls and compare their weights.

• If the two balls have different weights, the heavier ball is the defective one.

• If the two balls have the same weight, the remaining ball in the first group of 3 is the defective one.

Find the first missing positive number in an array of positive and negative integers.

• Sort the array in ascending order

• Iterate through the sorted array and find the first positive number that is missing

• If no positive number is missing, return the next positive number after the largest positive number in the array

Polymorphism in OOP allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass.

• Polymorphism allows for flexibility and reusability in code.

• It enables a single interface to be used for different data types.

• Examples include method overriding and method overloading.

Method overloading is having multiple methods in the same class with the same name but different parameters. Method overriding is having a method in a subclass with the same name and parameters as a method in its superclass.

• Method overloading involves multiple methods with the same name but different parameters.

• Method overriding involves a subclass redefining a method from its superclass with the same name and parameters.

• Method overloading is resolved at compile time based on...read more

BST is a binary tree where left child is smaller and right child is greater. Add/delete ops maintain this property.

• BST is a data structure used for searching, sorting, and storing data

• Add operation: Traverse the tree and find the appropriate position to insert the new node

• Delete operation: Find the node to be deleted, replace it with its inorder successor or predecessor, and delete the successor/predecessor node

• Time complexity: O(log n) for both add and delete operations

• Code ...read more

Operator overloading is the ability to redefine operators for custom classes.

• Allows operators to be used with custom classes

• Example: '+' operator can be used to concatenate strings

• Can improve readability and simplify code

Copy a linked list with random pointers to random nodes in the list.

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

• Map the original nodes to their corresponding new nodes

• Copy the value of the original node to the new node

• Copy the random pointer of the original node to the new node using the mapping created earlier

JavaScript concepts like event loop, variable hoisting, and closures are fundamental for understanding the language.

• Event loop is responsible for managing the execution of code in JavaScript, ensuring non-blocking behavior.

• Variable hoisting allows variables to be declared anywhere in a function, with their declarations moved to the top during compilation.

• Closures allow functions to access variables from their outer scope even after the outer function has finished executing.

Experience with Redux for state management and data flow

• Used Redux for managing state in complex web applications

• Understand concepts like actions, reducers, and store in Redux

• Data flows in a unidirectional manner within Redux, with actions triggering state changes through reducers

• Example: Dispatching an action to update a user's profile information in Redux store

Method overloading is having multiple methods with the same name but different parameters. Method overriding is having a method in a subclass with the same name, return type, and parameters as a method in its superclass.

• Method overloading is achieved within the same class.

• Method overriding occurs in a subclass that inherits from a superclass.

• Method overloading is determined at compile-time based on the number, type, and order of parameters.

• Method overriding is determined at r...read more

ViewModel in Android is a class that is responsible for preparing and managing data for an activity or fragment.

• ViewModel is part of the Android Architecture Components and is used to store and manage UI-related data in a lifecycle-conscious way.

• It survives configuration changes such as screen rotations and retains data during the lifecycle of the activity or fragment.

• ViewModel should never hold a reference to a view or any class that has a reference to the activity context t...read more

To design a web marketing campaign for Times Internet, I would focus on targeted advertising, content marketing, social media promotion, and data analysis.

• Identify the target audience and create buyer personas

• Develop a comprehensive content marketing strategy to engage and educate the audience

• Utilize targeted advertising platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads to reach the desired audience

• Leverage social media platforms to promote the campaign and engage with the audience

• I...read more

Optimizing React application performance through various strategies.

• Code splitting to reduce initial load time

• Using shouldComponentUpdate or React.memo for efficient rendering

• Implementing virtualized lists for large data sets

• Minifying and compressing assets for faster loading

• Caching data with tools like Redux or useMemo

Polymorphism is the ability of an object to take on many forms. It allows objects of different classes to be treated as the same type.

• Polymorphism is achieved through method overriding and method overloading.

• Method overriding allows a subclass to provide a specific implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass.

• Method overloading allows multiple methods with the same name but different parameters to be defined in a class.

• Polymorphism enables code reusabi...read more

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

• Nodes in a BST are arranged in a hierarchical order where the left subtree of a node contains only nodes with keys less than the node's key, and the right subtree contains only nodes with keys greater than the node's key.

• BST allows for efficient search, insertion, and deletion operations with a time complexit...read more

Create a metric system to track progress of app as a manager.

• Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) such as user acquisition, retention, engagement, and revenue

• Set specific goals for each KPI and track progress regularly

• Use analytics tools to gather data and generate reports

• Analyze data to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions

• Communicate progress and insights to stakeholders regularly

SQL query to find date ids with higher temperature compared to previous dates in weather table

• Use self join to compare temperature of current date with previous dates

• Order the table by date to ensure correct comparison

• Select date ids where temperature is higher than previous dates

Questions on data structure, algorithm, and Android development.

• To find maximum sum subarray, use Kadane's algorithm

• To separate zeroes and ones in array, use two pointers approach

• ViewModel is a class that stores and manages UI-related data

• RecyclerView is a flexible view for providing a limited window into a large data set

• To implement ViewModel, extend ViewModel class and override onCleared() method

RecyclerView is a flexible view for providing a limited window into a large data set.

• RecyclerView recycles views to improve performance and memory usage.

• It uses a LayoutManager to organize and position items within the view.

• Adapter provides data to be displayed in the RecyclerView.

• ItemDecoration allows for custom drawing of item decorations like borders or dividers.

Operator overloading is the ability to redefine the behavior of operators for user-defined data types.

• Allows operators to be used with custom data types

• Can define custom behavior for operators like +, -, *, etc.

• Helps make code more readable and intuitive

• Example: Overloading the + operator for a custom Vector class to add two vectors

Code assignment to fetch data from API & DOM manipulation using state management libraries

• Use fetch API to make a request to the desired endpoint

• Utilize state management libraries like Redux or MobX for managing data

• Update the DOM based on the fetched data using the state management library

To create a salary slip or attendance sheet on Excel, use formulas for calculations and formatting for a professional look.

• Use Excel functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and IF for calculations

• Format cells for dates, currency, and percentages

• Include employee details like name, ID, and department

• Add columns for salary components like basic pay, allowances, and deductions

• Use conditional formatting for attendance tracking

JSP is compiled into servlets by the server at runtime.

• JSP pages are first translated into Java code by the JSP compiler.

• The Java code is then compiled into servlets by the server at runtime.

• The servlets are then executed to generate dynamic content for the client.

• Compilation can be done automatically or manually depending on the server configuration.

SQL query to find duplicate emails in a table named person

• Use GROUP BY and HAVING clause to group emails and count their occurrences

• Select only those emails which have count greater than 1

• Example: SELECT email, COUNT(*) FROM person GROUP BY email HAVING COUNT(*) > 1;

Implement field validation in a form using code assignment

• Use HTML form elements like input, select, textarea

• Use JavaScript to validate user input

• Display error messages if validation fails

• Consider using libraries like jQuery Validation for complex validations

I can write a large number of words per day, depending on the topic and deadline.

• I have experience writing articles, blog posts, and social media content.

• I am able to write quickly and efficiently without sacrificing quality.

• My average output is around 1500-2000 words per day, but I can write more if needed.

• I am comfortable with various writing styles and can adapt to different tones and audiences.

Remove duplicates from array and implement Stack using Queue

• To remove duplicates, use a HashSet or sort the array and iterate through it

• To implement Stack using Queue, use two Queues and switch elements between them

• Example: String[] arr = {"apple", "banana", "orange", "apple"};

• Example: Queue queue1 = new LinkedList<>();

• Example: Stack stack = new Stack<>();

To read data from a continuous stream of file, we can use tools like tail or Apache Kafka.

• Tail command can be used to read the last n lines of a file and follow the growth of the file.

• Apache Kafka is a distributed streaming platform that can be used to read data from a continuous stream of files.

• We can also use programming languages like Python or Java to read data from a continuous stream of files.

Research involves systematic investigation, analysis, and interpretation of data to answer specific questions or solve problems.

• Research involves gathering information through various methods such as surveys, experiments, and observations

• It requires analyzing and interpreting data to draw conclusions and make recommendations

• Research helps in expanding knowledge, solving problems, and making informed decisions

• Examples of research include market research to understand consumer ...read more

Solr indexing is the process of adding documents to the Solr search engine for efficient retrieval.

• Solr indexing involves creating a schema that defines the fields to be indexed

• Documents are then added to the index using the Solr API or a data import handler

• Solr uses inverted indexes to quickly search for documents matching a query

• Indexing can be optimized by using techniques like sharding and replication

To delete a node in a linked list, we need to find the node and update the pointers of its previous and next nodes.

• Find the node to be deleted by traversing the linked list

• Update the pointers of the previous and next nodes to skip the node to be deleted

• Free the memory occupied by the node to be deleted

Encapsulation is the process of hiding implementation details and exposing only necessary information to the user.

• Encapsulation is achieved through access modifiers like public, private, and protected.

• It helps in achieving data abstraction and information hiding.

• Encapsulation provides better control over the data and prevents unauthorized access.

• Example: A class with private variables and public methods to access those variables.

• Example: A capsule that contains medicine and o...read more

The process is important because it ensures quality, efficiency, and consistency in the outcome.

• Ensures quality control by following specific steps and guidelines

• Improves efficiency by streamlining tasks and reducing errors

• Maintains consistency in the outcome by standardizing procedures

• Helps in identifying and resolving issues early in the development cycle

Data refers to facts, statistics, or information collected for analysis or reference.

• Data can be structured or unstructured

• Data can be quantitative or qualitative

• Data analysis involves cleaning, transforming, and interpreting data

• Examples of data sources include databases, surveys, and social media

• Data visualization helps in presenting data in a visual format

To refresh cache, clear the cache or set a new expiration time.

• Clear the cache by deleting all cached data

• Set a new expiration time for the cache

• Use cache busting techniques to force a refresh

• Implement server-side cache invalidation

• Use a CDN to serve cached content

Implement a function to reverse a string in place

• Create two pointers, one at the start of the string and one at the end

• Swap characters at the two pointers and move them towards the center until they meet

Yes, I am fluent in English and have strong communication skills.

• I am a native English speaker and have been speaking English fluently for many years.

• I have experience communicating complex data analysis findings in English.

• I have received positive feedback on my English communication skills in previous roles.

A cron job can be used to automate cache synchronization at regular intervals.

• Set up a cron job to run a script that clears and updates the cache

• Specify the frequency of the cron job based on the cache update frequency

• Ensure that the script is error-free and logs any issues for debugging

• Consider using a distributed cache system for better performance

• Example: */5 * * * * /path/to/script.sh

Testing is required to ensure the quality and functionality of software applications.

• Identify defects and bugs in the software

• Ensure the software meets the requirements and specifications

• Verify that the software functions correctly under different scenarios

• Improve user experience and satisfaction

• Reduce the risk of software failures and issues

• Examples: Regression testing, performance testing, usability testing

C++ is an extension of C with object-oriented programming features.

• C++ supports classes and objects while C does not.

• C++ has better support for polymorphism and inheritance.

• C++ has a standard template library (STL) while C does not.

• C++ allows function overloading while C does not.

• C++ has exception handling while C does not.

I will deliver revenue by building strong relationships with clients, identifying their needs, and providing tailored solutions.

• Developing and maintaining relationships with existing clients to upsell and cross-sell products/services

• Identifying new business opportunities and pitching products/services to potential clients

• Analyzing market trends and competitor activities to adjust sales strategies accordingly

• Collaborating with internal teams to ensure client satisfaction and r...read more

A custom linked list is a data structure where each node contains a value and a reference to the next node.

• Define a Node class with value and next properties

• Define a LinkedList class with head property and methods to add, remove, and traverse nodes

• Example: let list = new LinkedList(); list.add(1); list.add(2); list.remove(1);