Graduate Software Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Explaining algorithms for various problem statements

• For sorting: bubble sort, insertion sort, merge sort, quick sort

• For searching: linear search, binary search

• For graph traversal: breadth-first search, depth-first search

• For dynamic programming: Fibonacci sequence, knapsack problem

• For string manipulation: string reversal, palindrome check

Arrays are fixed in size and contiguous in memory, while linked lists are dynamic and non-contiguous.

• Arrays have constant time access to elements, while linked lists require traversal.

• Arrays are better for random access, while linked lists are better for insertion and deletion.

• Arrays use less memory overhead, while linked lists use more due to pointers.

• Examples: array of integers vs linked list of nodes.

• Examples: array of characters vs linked list of strings.

Memory management in linked lists involves allocation and deallocation of nodes.

• Dynamic memory allocation is used to create nodes in a linked list.

• Memory leaks can occur if nodes are not properly deallocated.

• Freed memory should be returned to the operating system using free() function.

• Using a garbage collector can automate memory management in linked lists.

Design an in-memory data store for efficient actor ID-based searches in an IMDB-style service.

• Use a hash map (dictionary) to store actor information with actor ID as the key.

• Each entry can contain actor details like name, birthdate, filmography, etc.

• Example: { '123': { 'name': 'John Doe', 'birthdate': '1980-01-01', 'films': ['Film1', 'Film2'] } }

• Implement methods for adding, retrieving, and deleting actor information.

• Consider thread safety if the service will be accessed conc...read more

I would prioritise tasks based on deadlines, importance, and dependencies.

• Evaluate deadlines and prioritize tasks with the closest deadlines first

• Consider the importance and impact of each task on the overall project

• Take into account any dependencies between tasks and prioritize accordingly

• Regularly reassess and adjust priorities as needed

I am a passionate software engineer with a strong foundation in coding, problem-solving, and a keen interest in innovative technologies.

• Graduated with a degree in Computer Science, where I developed a solid understanding of algorithms and data structures.

• Completed an internship at XYZ Corp, where I contributed to a team project that improved application performance by 30%.

• Proficient in languages such as Python, Java, and JavaScript, and have built several personal projects, i...read more

Optimization of variable is the process of finding the best value for a variable to achieve a desired outcome.

• Define the objective function and constraints

• Choose an optimization algorithm

• Iteratively adjust the variable until the optimal solution is found

• Examples: gradient descent, linear programming