80+ Software Engineering Specialist Interview Questions and Answers

Python data structures are containers that hold data in an organized manner, each with its own advantages and differences.

• Python lists are versatile and can hold different data types.

• Tuples are immutable and can be used as keys in dictionaries.

• Sets are unordered and eliminate duplicate elements.

• Dictionaries store data in key-value pairs for efficient retrieval.

An array stores one type of element in sequential memory blocks for faster access.

• Arrays are useful for storing and accessing data in a specific order.

• They can be used to store numbers, characters, or other data types.

• Arrays can be multidimensional, allowing for more complex data structures.

• Accessing elements in an array is done using an index, starting at 0.

• Arrays can be resized dynamically in some programming languages.

Determine if a point is inside multiple intersecting shapes using efficient data structures.

• Use a spatial data structure like a QuadTree or R-tree to store shapes for efficient querying.

• For point-in-shape tests, use bounding boxes to quickly eliminate shapes that cannot contain the point.

• For multiple points on a line, consider using a sorted list or a balanced tree structure to maintain order and allow efficient searching.

• Example: In a QuadTree, each node can represent a boun...read more

Analytical functions are used to perform calculations across a set of rows. Rank assigns a unique rank to each row, while dens_rank assigns consecutive ranks.

• Analytical functions are used to perform calculations across a set of rows in a table.

• Rank function assigns a unique rank to each row based on the specified order.

• Dens_rank function assigns consecutive ranks to rows, leaving no gaps between ranks.

• Types of joins include inner join, outer join, left join, right join, etc.

• A...read more

Map, filter and reduce are higher-order functions in JavaScript used to manipulate arrays.

• Map transforms each element of an array into a new array based on a provided function.

• Filter creates a new array with all elements that pass a test implemented by a provided function.

• Reduce applies a function to each element of an array and reduces the array to a single value.

• These functions are commonly used in functional programming and can make code more concise and readable.

• Example: ...read more

Generators and decorators are powerful features in Python for creating iterable objects and modifying functions respectively.

• Generators are functions that use the yield keyword to return a sequence of values lazily.

• They are memory efficient as they generate values on the fly instead of storing them in memory.

• Decorators are functions that modify the behavior of other functions without changing their source code.

• They are used to add functionality to functions, such as logging, ...read more

Abstraction simplifies complex systems by hiding unnecessary details, focusing on essential features for better understanding and usability.

• 1. Definition: Abstraction is a fundamental concept in software engineering that involves hiding the complex reality while exposing only the necessary parts.

• 2. Purpose: It helps in reducing programming complexity and increases efficiency by allowing developers to focus on high-level functionalities.

• 3. Example: In object-oriented programmi...read more

Passing objects by reference in copy constructors avoids unnecessary copying and maintains const correctness.

• 1. Efficiency: Passing by reference avoids the overhead of copying large objects, improving performance.

• 2. Const correctness: Keeping the parameter as const ensures the original object cannot be modified during the copy process.

• 3. Example: In a class 'MyClass', a copy constructor might look like 'MyClass(const MyClass& obj) { ... }' to prevent changes.

Axios is a third-party library that provides more features and flexibility than the fetch API.

• Axios allows for easy cancellation of requests.

• Axios has built-in support for handling request and response interceptors.

• Axios can handle request and response transformations.

• Axios has a larger community and more documentation than fetch API.

• Fetch API is built into modern browsers and requires no additional installation or setup.

• Fetch API has a simpler syntax than Axios.

Overloading allows multiple methods with the same name but different parameters; overriding replaces a method in a subclass.

• Overloading occurs within the same class, while overriding involves a subclass and its superclass.

• Example of overloading: A method 'add(int a, int b)' and 'add(double a, double b)'.

• Example of overriding: A subclass 'Dog' overriding a method 'sound()' from a superclass 'Animal'.

• Overloading is resolved at compile time (static polymorphism), while overridin...read more

A copy constructor creates a new object as a copy of an existing object, with shallow and deep copy defining the copy's depth.

• A copy constructor is a special constructor in C++ used to create a new object as a copy of an existing object.

• Shallow copy duplicates the object's immediate values, but not the objects they reference.

• Deep copy duplicates all objects referenced by the original object, creating a complete independent copy.

• Example of shallow copy: If an object contains a...read more

List is dynamic and can be modified while array is fixed in size and cannot be modified.

• List can grow or shrink dynamically while array has a fixed size.

• List can contain elements of different data types while array can only contain elements of the same data type.

• List uses more memory than array due to its dynamic nature.

• Array is faster than list for accessing elements by index.

• Example: List - [1, 'hello', True], Array - [1, 2, 3]

• Example: List - ['apple', 'banana', 'orange'], ...read more

Constructors initialize objects; types include default, parameterized, copy, and move constructors.

• Default Constructor: Initializes objects with default values. Example: `MyClass obj;`

• Parameterized Constructor: Initializes objects with specific values. Example: `MyClass obj(5);`

• Copy Constructor: Creates a new object as a copy of an existing object. Example: `MyClass obj2 = obj1;`

• Move Constructor: Transfers resources from a temporary object to a new object, avoiding deep copie...read more

Python provides various libraries and modules to interact with databases, such as SQLite, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.

• Python's standard library includes the sqlite3 module for working with SQLite databases.

• For MySQL, the popular library is mysql-connector-python, which provides an interface to interact with MySQL databases.

• psycopg2 is a widely used library for connecting to PostgreSQL databases in Python.

• ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) libraries like SQLAlchemy can be used to abstr...read more

MongoDB is an open-source document database that provides high performance, scalability, and flexibility.

• MongoDB is a NoSQL database that stores data in flexible, JSON-like documents.

• It supports a rich query language and provides features like indexing, replication, and sharding.

• MongoDB is widely used in web applications, big data processing, and real-time analytics.

• Example: MongoDB is used by companies like Uber, Airbnb, and LinkedIn.

MDM stands for Master Data Management. It is a process that ensures the consistency and accuracy of an organization's critical data.

• MDM is a method of managing and organizing data to create a single, reliable source of truth.

• It involves creating and maintaining a central repository of master data, which includes information about customers, products, suppliers, etc.

• MDM helps in eliminating data duplication, improving data quality, and providing a unified view of data across d...read more

Annotations and keywords used in Spring Boot and Java

• The @Qualifier annotation is used in Spring to specify which bean should be autowired when multiple beans of the same type are present

• The @Value annotation is used in Spring to inject values from properties files or environment variables into Spring beans

• The transient keyword in Java is used to indicate that a field should not be serialized when the object is converted to a byte stream

• The volatile keyword in Java is used to...read more

To work in a pressurized environment and handle priority production bugs, one must prioritize tasks, communicate effectively, stay calm under pressure, and seek help when needed.

• Prioritize tasks based on their impact on the production environment

• Communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders to understand the urgency and impact of the bugs

• Stay calm under pressure and avoid making hasty decisions

• Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable tasks

• Seek help fr...read more

Yes, you can overload new and delete operators in C++ for custom memory management.

• Overloading allows custom behavior for memory allocation and deallocation.

• Example: Custom new operator to track memory usage.

• Example: Custom delete operator to log deallocations.

• Syntax: Use 'void* operator new(size_t size)' and 'void operator delete(void* pointer)'.

• Can improve performance or add debugging features.

Object-oriented programming concepts in Java

• Encapsulation: Hiding implementation details and exposing only necessary information

• Inheritance: Creating new classes from existing ones, inheriting properties and methods

• Polymorphism: Ability of objects to take on multiple forms, method overloading and overriding

• Abstraction: Focusing on essential features and ignoring implementation details

• Class: Blueprint for creating objects, encapsulating data and behavior

• Object: Instance of a c...read more

Error throwing is generally better for handling exceptions programmatically, while error display is useful for user feedback.

• Error throwing allows developers to manage exceptions in code, e.g., using try-catch blocks in Java.

• Error display provides immediate feedback to users, e.g., showing 'Invalid input' on a form.

• Throwing errors can lead to cleaner code by separating error handling from business logic.

• Displaying errors can enhance user experience by guiding them to correct ...read more

Spring profiles allow for different configurations based on environment or application needs.

• Spring profiles are used to define different configurations for different environments or application needs.

• Profiles can be activated using the 'spring.profiles.active' property in application.properties or application.yml.

• Profiles can be defined using annotations like @Profile or by creating separate configuration files for each profile.

• Example: @Profile("dev") for development profil...read more

The deployment process in Salesforce involves moving changes from one environment to another in a controlled and systematic manner.

• Changes are typically made in a sandbox environment before being deployed to production.

• Deployment can be done manually or using tools like Salesforce DX or Change Sets.

• Version control systems like Git can also be used to track changes and facilitate deployment.

• Testing is an important part of the deployment process to ensure that changes do not br...read more

SOLID principles are a set of five principles in object-oriented programming. Worked on a project implementing SOLID principles. Faced challenges with tight deadlines and changing requirements.

• SOLID principles: Single Responsibility, Open/Closed, Liskov Substitution, Interface Segregation, Dependency Inversion

• Implemented SOLID principles in a project by breaking down functionality into smaller, cohesive classes with clear responsibilities

• Challenges faced included adapting to ...read more

I have worked on a variety of technologies including Java, Python, SQL, and AWS.

• Java

• Python

• SQL

• AWS

Routing, hooks, service, and directives are all important concepts in software engineering.

• Routing refers to the process of determining how an application responds to a client request.

• Hooks are functions that allow developers to tap into the lifecycle of a component or application.

• Services are reusable pieces of code that provide functionality to an application.

• Directives are markers on a DOM element that tell AngularJS to attach a specified behavior to that element.

Use a hash set to keep track of unique elements while iterating through the array.

• Create a hash set to store unique elements.

• Iterate through the array and check if each element is already in the hash set.

• If the element is not in the hash set, add it to the hash set.

• If the element is already in the hash set, it is a duplicate entry.

Dunder methods are special methods in Python that start and end with double underscores.

• Dunder methods are also known as magic methods or special methods.

• They are used to define behavior for built-in Python operations.

• Examples include __init__ for object initialization and __str__ for string representation.

• Dunder methods can be used to customize classes and objects in Python.

Functional components are stateless and use functional programming concepts, while class components have state and lifecycle methods.

• Functional components are simpler and easier to read/write.

• Class components have access to lifecycle methods like componentDidMount.

• Functional components can use hooks like useState and useEffect.

• Class components are typically used for more complex components with state management.

Developed a web application for online shopping with user authentication and payment integration.

• Frontend developed using React.js with responsive design for different screen sizes

• Backend built with Node.js and Express.js for handling API requests

• Database used MongoDB for storing product information and user data

• Implemented user authentication using JWT tokens

• Integrated payment gateway using Stripe API for secure transactions

HOC stands for Higher Order Component in React.

• HOC is a function that takes a component and returns a new component with additional functionality.

• It is used for code reuse, logic abstraction, and render hijacking.

• Examples of HOCs are connect() and withRouter() in React-Redux and React-Router respectively.

Implementing cache in core Java involves using data structures like HashMap or LinkedHashMap.

• Use HashMap or LinkedHashMap to store key-value pairs in memory

• Implement a mechanism to check if the data is already in cache before fetching from the main source

• Set a maximum size for the cache and implement a strategy to evict least recently used items if the cache is full

Use Callable interface to return Object from Thread

• Implement Callable interface instead of Runnable

• Use ExecutorService to submit Callable and get Future object

• Call get() method on Future object to retrieve the returned Object

Transient, Scoped, and Singleton are different types of dependency injection lifetimes in software engineering.

• Transient: New instance is created every time it is requested. Suitable for lightweight objects with no shared state.

• Scoped: Instance is created once per request within the scope. Suitable for objects that are shared within a single request.

• Singleton: Single instance is created and shared throughout the application. Suitable for objects that are expensive to create o...read more

Joins in SQL are used to combine rows from two or more tables based on related columns.

• Joins are used to retrieve data from multiple tables in a single query.

• Common types of joins include inner join, left join, right join, and full outer join.

• Joins are performed using the JOIN keyword and specifying the join condition.

• Example: SELECT * FROM table1 JOIN table2 ON table1.column = table2.column;

Automating software package creation and deployment process

• Use continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins or GitLab CI

• Create scripts for building and packaging software

• Utilize configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet for automated deployment

• Implement version control to track changes and rollback if needed

Count the number of duplicates in an array of strings.

• Iterate through the array and use a hashmap to store the count of each string.

• Check the count of each string in the hashmap to determine duplicates.

• Return the total count of duplicates found.

Angular life cycle hooks are methods that allow you to tap into specific points in a component's life cycle.

• ngOnChanges: called when an input property changes

• ngOnInit: called once after the first ngOnChanges

• ngDoCheck: called during every change detection run

• ngAfterContentInit: called after content is projected into the component

• ngAfterContentChecked: called after every check of projected content

• ngAfterViewInit: called after the component's view has been initialized

• ngAfterView...read more

To create a service in Angular, you can use the 'ng generate service' command or manually create a service file.

• Use the Angular CLI command 'ng generate service serviceName' to create a new service file

• Manually create a service file by creating a new TypeScript file with the '.service.ts' extension

• Inject the service into components or other services by adding it to the providers array in the @Injectable decorator

• Define methods and properties in the service class to provide fu...read more

A machine learning model is a mathematical algorithm that learns from data to make predictions or decisions.

• ML models can be supervised, unsupervised, or semi-supervised

• Examples include linear regression, decision trees, neural networks, and support vector machines

• Models can be used for classification, regression, clustering, and anomaly detection

To center a div, use CSS properties like margin, display, and text-align.

• Set margin to auto on left and right sides

• Set display to flex and justify-content to center

• Set text-align to center for inline elements

Pure pipes do not have any side effects and always return the same output for the same input, while impure pipes can have side effects and may not return the same output for the same input.

• Pure pipes are stateless and deterministic.

• Impure pipes can have side effects like modifying global variables or making network requests.

• Pure pipes always return the same output for the same input.

• Impure pipes may not return the same output for the same input.

• Examples of pure pipes include ...read more

QuickSort is a popular sorting algorithm that uses divide and conquer approach.

• Divide the array into two sub-arrays based on a pivot element

• Recursively sort the sub-arrays

• Combine the sorted sub-arrays to get the final sorted array

• Time complexity: O(n log n) in average case and O(n^2) in worst case

• Example: [5, 2, 9, 3, 7, 6, 8, 1, 4] -> [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Implementation class for ArrayList in Java

• Create a class named ArrayList with a private array to store elements

• Implement methods like add, remove, get, size, etc.

• Handle resizing of the array when needed

• Use generics to allow storing any type of objects

• Here is a simple example: public class ArrayList { private Object[] array; ... }