90+ Senior Automation Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Answers to interview questions for Senior Automation Engineer

• 1. Using recursion to print numbers

• 2. Using nested loops to compare each element

• 3. Alert is a pop-up window while verify is a method to check if an element is present

• 4. Verify will continue the test even if the assertion fails

• 5. A class that can only have one instance at a time

• 6. Use explicit wait on the flag element

Answers to interview questions for Senior Automation Engineer position

• Abstract classes and interfaces are used for creating reusable code and implementing polymorphism

• Example of abstract class: WebDriver in Selenium

• Example of interface: WebElement in Selenium

• Reverse string program can be implemented using StringBuilder or char array

• List is ordered and allows duplicates, Set is unordered and does not allow duplicates

• Exception handling in Selenium can be done using try-catch bl...read more

Jenkins is a popular open-source automation server used for continuous integration and continuous delivery of software projects.

• Jenkins is used to automate the non-human part of the software development process, with continuous integration and facilitating technical aspects of continuous delivery.

• It allows for easy configuration of pipelines to automate the build, test, and deployment processes.

• Setting up a pipeline in Jenkins involves creating a Jenkinsfile which defines the...read more

BDD stands for Behavior Driven Development. Cucumber is a BDD tool that uses Gherkin syntax. SpecFlow is a BDD tool for .NET.

• BDD (Behavior Driven Development) is a software development approach that focuses on the behavior of the system.

• Cucumber is a BDD tool that uses Gherkin syntax to write test scenarios in a human-readable format.

• SpecFlow is a BDD tool specifically designed for .NET projects, allowing developers to write executable specifications using Gherkin syntax.

Creating interface, abstract class, and implementing them in a new class with a common method

• To create an interface in Java, use the 'interface' keyword and define the methods without implementation

• To create an abstract class in Java, use the 'abstract' keyword before the class definition and can have both abstract and concrete methods

• To implement an interface in a class, use the 'implements' keyword and provide implementation for all the methods defined in the interface

• To ex...read more

My approach would be to first understand the project requirements, identify the tools and technologies needed, and then design a modular and scalable framework.

• Understand project requirements

• Identify tools and technologies needed

• Design a modular and scalable framework

• Create a folder structure for the framework

• Define coding standards and guidelines

• Implement reusable functions and libraries

• Integrate with version control system

• Implement reporting and logging mechanisms

• Create tes...read more

Various authentication mechanisms include password-based, biometric, multi-factor, and OAuth.

• Password-based authentication

• Biometric authentication (e.g. fingerprint, facial recognition)

• Multi-factor authentication (e.g. SMS code, token generator)

• OAuth (Open Authorization) for third-party authentication

Working tree, staging/index, and HEAD are different states in Git representing different versions of files.

• Working tree is the current state of files in the project directory

• Staging/index is the area where changes are prepared to be committed

• HEAD points to the last commit on the current branch

HashMap is recommended due to better performance and allows null values, while HashTable is synchronized.

• HashMap is not synchronized, so it is faster than HashTable for single-threaded applications.

• HashMap allows null values and null keys, while HashTable does not.

• HashMap is part of the Java Collections Framework, while HashTable is a legacy class.

• Example: HashMap map = new HashMap<>();

• Example: HashTable table = new HashTable<>();

To run multiple test cases in parallel using multithreading, create separate threads for each test case and manage synchronization.

• Create a thread pool to manage multiple threads for running test cases in parallel.

• Implement synchronization mechanisms like locks or semaphores to prevent race conditions.

• Ensure that the test cases are independent of each other to avoid interference.

• Use a testing framework that supports parallel execution, such as TestNG or JUnit.

• Monitor the exec...read more

Program to reverse a string and remove duplicates from it.

• Create a function to reverse the string using a loop or built-in function

• Create a function to remove duplicates using a loop or built-in function

• Split the string by the delimiter and join it with space

Filter names starting with 'a' using LinQ expressions on a List.

• Use LinQ Where method with a lambda expression to filter names starting with 'a'.

• Example: var filteredNames = lst.Where(name => name.StartsWith('a')).ToArray();

Five basic items to jumpstart API Automation

• Understand the API documentation

• Select a suitable automation tool (e.g. Postman, SoapUI)

• Set up a testing environment

• Write test cases for API endpoints

• Implement continuous integration for automated testing

Some common design patterns include Singleton, Factory, Observer, and Strategy patterns.

• Singleton pattern ensures a class has only one instance and provides a global point of access to it.

• Factory pattern creates objects without specifying the exact class of object that will be created.

• Observer pattern defines a one-to-many dependency between objects so that when one object changes state, all its dependents are notified and updated automatically.

• Strategy pattern defines a fami...read more

Use Linq to create a dictionary with elements from a list as keys and their lengths as values.

• Use ToDictionary method with element as key and element length as value

• Use Select method to project each element to a KeyValuePair

To find the 2nd highest number from an array, sort the array in descending order and return the element at index 1.

• Sort the array in descending order using a sorting algorithm like bubble sort or quicksort.

• Return the element at index 1, which will be the 2nd highest number.

As an automation testing activity, I perform tasks such as creating and executing automated test scripts, analyzing test results, and reporting defects.

• Creating and maintaining automated test scripts using tools like Selenium, Appium, or TestComplete

• Executing automated test scripts and analyzing test results to identify defects

• Reporting defects and working with developers to resolve them

• Integrating automated tests into the continuous integration and delivery pipeline

• Collabora...read more

To override a method in a child class, use the 'override' keyword in the child class method definition.

• Use the 'override' keyword before the method signature in the child class.

• The method in the child class must have the same name, return type, and parameters as the method in the parent class.

• The overridden method in the child class can call the parent class method using 'base.MethodName()'.

Types of testing include functional testing, non-functional testing, manual testing, automated testing, regression testing, and performance testing.

• Functional testing: Testing the functionality of the software against the requirements.

• Non-functional testing: Testing aspects like performance, usability, and security.

• Manual testing: Testing performed manually by testers without the use of automation tools.

• Automated testing: Testing performed using automation tools to increase e...read more

To print the characters of my name which are not repetitive, I would iterate through each character and only print those that appear once.

• Iterate through each character in the name

• Check if the character appears only once in the name

• Print the character if it is not repetitive

I have worked on various automation frameworks including keyword-driven, data-driven, and hybrid frameworks.

• Keyword-driven framework: Utilizes keywords to define test steps and actions.

• Data-driven framework: Separates test data from test scripts to allow for easy data manipulation.

• Hybrid framework: Combines the features of both keyword-driven and data-driven frameworks for flexibility and reusability.

Attributes used in Nunit for parallel execution include Parallelizable and MaxDegreeOfParallelism.

• Parallelizable attribute is used to specify that a test fixture can be run in parallel with others

• MaxDegreeOfParallelism attribute is used to specify the maximum number of threads to use for parallel execution

Setting up a version control system involves choosing a system, creating a repository, adding files, committing changes, and collaborating with team members.

• Choose a version control system like Git, SVN, or Mercurial.

• Create a repository to store your project files.

• Add files to the repository using commands like 'git add' or 'svn add'.

• Commit changes to the repository with a message describing the changes using commands like 'git commit' or 'svn commit'.

• Collaborate with team me...read more

Epam Anywhere is a platform that connects remote tech professionals with global companies for project-based work.

• Epam Anywhere is a platform created by Epam Systems, a global IT services company.

• It allows remote tech professionals to work on project-based assignments for global companies.

• Professionals can choose projects based on their skills and availability.

• Companies can access a pool of talented professionals from around the world for their projects.

• Epam Anywhere provides ...read more

I used a keyword-driven automation framework in my project.

• The framework was designed to allow testers to write test cases using keywords and reusable functions.

• Test scripts were written in a tabular format, making it easy to understand and maintain.

• The framework included libraries for common functions like logging, reporting, and data handling.

• Test data was stored in external files like Excel sheets or CSV files for easy management.

• The framework supported parallel execution ...read more

Using map in JavaScript to extract duplicate occurrence character count

• Use the map function to iterate over the array of strings

• Create an object to store the character counts

• Increment the count for each character in the object

• Filter the object to only include characters with count greater than 1

Java program to find Fibonacci series, palindromes, and duplicate elements in an array of strings.

• Create a method to generate Fibonacci series up to a certain number

• Check for palindromes in each string in the array

• Identify and remove duplicate elements in the array

Stale element exception occurs when an element is no longer attached to the DOM.

• Refresh the page and try to locate the element again

• Use explicit wait to ensure the element is present and interactable before performing actions

• Handle the exception using try-catch block to retry the operation

• Avoid storing web elements in variables for a long time as they may become stale

Running test cases in parallel can be achieved by using tools like TestNG or JUnit.

• Use TestNG or JUnit to create test suites that can run test cases in parallel

• Configure the test suite to run test cases concurrently by setting the parallel attribute in the testng.xml file

• Ensure that the test cases are independent of each other to avoid any conflicts during parallel execution

Git merge combines changes from different branches, while git rebase moves the current branch to the tip of another branch.

• Git merge creates a new commit with the combined changes of the branches being merged.

• Git rebase moves the current branch to the tip of another branch by replaying each commit on top of the other branch.

• Git merge preserves the commit history of both branches, while git rebase rewrites the commit history of the current branch.

The questions are related to software testing, programming, and Java garbage collector.

• Different types of testing include unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing, and regression testing.

• A program to find repeat characters can be written using loops and conditional statements in programming languages like Java, Python, or C++.

• Garbage collector in Java is responsible for automatic memory management, freeing up memory occupied by objects that are no...read more

Waits in Selenium are used to pause the execution of the test script for a certain period of time.

• Implicit Wait: Sets a default waiting time for all elements in the script

• Explicit Wait: Waits for a specific condition to be met before proceeding

• Fluent Wait: Waits for a specific condition with a defined polling frequency and timeout duration

Selenium architecture involves WebDriver, WebElement, and Browser Drivers. Java collections hierarchy includes List, Set, Map interfaces.

• Selenium architecture includes WebDriver, WebElement, and Browser Drivers

• WebDriver acts as the main interface to interact with web browsers

• WebElement represents elements on a web page that can be interacted with

• Browser Drivers are used to communicate with specific web browsers

• Java collections hierarchy includes List, Set, and Map interfaces

• L...read more

Automation in a process is implemented by identifying repetitive tasks, selecting appropriate tools, creating scripts or workflows, testing and refining the automation, and integrating it into the existing system.

• Identify repetitive tasks that can be automated

• Select appropriate automation tools or software

• Create scripts or workflows to automate the identified tasks

• Test the automation to ensure it functions correctly

• Refine the automation based on feedback and performance

• Integr...read more

Find the smallest and greatest numbers from an array of strings.

• Convert the array of strings to an array of numbers using parseInt() or Number()

• Use Math.min() and Math.max() to find the smallest and greatest numbers

• Handle edge cases like empty array or non-numeric values

Return type of find element is WebElement.

• The find element method returns a single WebElement.

• The WebElement can be used to interact with the web page.

• If the element is not found, a NoSuchElementException is thrown.

Comparing UI dropdown values stored in array with corresponding values from DB

• Retrieve UI dropdown values from array and corresponding values from DB

• Iterate through both arrays to compare each value

• Use a loop to check if each value in UI dropdown array matches the corresponding value in DB

SOLID principles are a set of five design principles that help make software designs more understandable, flexible, and maintainable.

• Single Responsibility Principle (SRP) - A class should have only one reason to change.

• Open/Closed Principle (OCP) - Software entities should be open for extension but closed for modification.

• Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP) - Objects of a superclass should be replaceable with objects of its subclasses without affecting the functionality.

• Inter...read more

driver.get() loads a new page while navigate().to() loads a new page or refreshes the current page.

• driver.get() is a method of WebDriver interface that loads a new web page in the current browser window.

• navigate().to() is a method of Navigation interface that loads a new web page or refreshes the current page.

• driver.get() waits for the page to load completely before returning control to the script.

• navigate().to() does not wait for the page to load completely before returning ...read more

Fluent wait is a dynamic wait mechanism in Selenium WebDriver that waits for a condition to be true before proceeding.

• Fluent wait is used to wait for a condition with a specified timeout and polling interval

• It can be used to handle dynamic elements on a webpage that may take variable time to load

• Example: WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, 10); wait.until(ExpectedConditions.visibilityOfElementLocated(By.id("elementId")));

Use a Set data structure to remove duplicates from the array of strings.

• Create a Set to store unique strings.

• Iterate through the array and add each string to the Set.

• Convert the Set back to an array to get the final result.

PLC and HMI communication is achieved through protocols like Modbus, Profibus, or Ethernet/IP.

• PLC and HMI communicate using protocols like Modbus, Profibus, or Ethernet/IP.

• PLC sends data to the HMI for visualization and control.

• HMI sends commands and requests to the PLC for process control.

• Data exchange between PLC and HMI is done through tags or memory addresses.

• Example: PLC reads sensor data, updates corresponding tags, and HMI displays the values in real-time.

Memory internally works by storing data in binary format using cells called memory cells.

• Memory is made up of memory cells that store data in binary format (0s and 1s)

• Memory cells are organized in a hierarchical structure with different levels of access speed (registers, cache, RAM, disk)

• Data is retrieved from memory by specifying the memory address where the data is stored

• Memory operates based on the principle of read and write operations to access and modify data

• Examples of...read more

Creased applications in iOS can be handled by adjusting constraints, using auto layout, and optimizing UI elements.

• Adjust constraints to ensure UI elements are properly aligned and sized

• Utilize auto layout to dynamically adjust UI elements based on screen size and orientation

• Optimize UI elements to prevent overlapping or misalignment issues

Selenium architecture involves locators to identify elements on a web page. Code to find LCM of 3 numbers requires mathematical logic.

• Selenium architecture includes different types of locators like ID, Name, XPath, CSS Selector, etc.

• To find LCM of 3 numbers, you can use a loop to find the least common multiple of the numbers.

• Example: LCM of 3, 6, and 9 can be found by calculating LCM(3, LCM(6, 9)).

Select projects a sequence of values into a new form, while SelectMany projects each element of a sequence to a sequence and flattens the resulting sequences into one sequence.

• Select is used to transform each element of a sequence into a new form.

• SelectMany is used to transform each element of a sequence into a sequence of values and then flattens those sequences into one sequence.

• SelectMany is often used when working with collections of collections.

• Example: Select - list.Sel...read more

Dynamic web elements can be handled using techniques like waiting strategies, locating elements by attributes, using XPath, and using frameworks like Selenium.

• Use explicit and implicit waits to handle dynamic loading of elements

• Locate elements by attributes that are less likely to change, such as IDs or classes

• Use XPath to locate elements based on their hierarchy or attributes

• Utilize frameworks like Selenium WebDriver to interact with dynamic elements