300+ System Engineer Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Determine the winner of an election between two candidates based on the influence of supporters on neutral voters.

• Iterate through the string to count the number of supporters for each candidate.

• Simulate the movement of supporters of A and B to influence neutral voters.

• Compare the total number of supporters for A and B to determine the election winner.

• Handle cases where there is a tie by declaring it as a Coalition.

The greatest common divisor (GCD) of two numbers is the largest positive integer that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder.

• Use Euclidean algorithm to find GCD efficiently

• GCD(X, Y) = GCD(Y, X % Y)

• Repeat until Y becomes 0, then X is the GCD

Given a string and a list of words, determine if each word in the list is present in the string and return a boolean array indicating their presence.

• Iterate through each word in the word list and check if it is present in the string.

• Use a boolean array to store the presence of each word in the string.

• Consider case sensitivity when checking for word presence.

• Do not use built-in string-matching methods.

• Return the boolean array without printing it.

Choose at most N/2 elements from an array A of N elements and find XOR of all the chosen elements.

• Choose the N/2 largest elements to maximize the XOR value.

• Use a priority queue to efficiently select the largest elements.

• If N is small, brute force all possible combinations of N/2 elements.

Check if a given string is identical to its mirror reflection.

• Iterate through the string and compare characters from start and end simultaneously.

• If any characters don't match, return 'NO'.

• If all characters match, return 'YES'.

Detect if a singly linked list forms a cycle by checking if a node's next points back to a previous node.

• Use Floyd's Cycle Detection Algorithm to determine if there is a cycle in the linked list.

• Maintain two pointers, one moving at twice the speed of the other, if they meet at some point, there is a cycle.

• If one of the pointers reaches the end of the list (null), there is no cycle.

The problem involves finding the number of twin pairs in an array based on a specific condition.

• Iterate through the array and check for each pair of indices if they form a twin pair based on the given condition

• Keep track of the count of twin pairs found

• Return the total count of twin pairs for each test case

To achieve NlogN complexity in the worst case, we can implement the randomized version of quicksort algorithm.

• Randomly select a pivot element to reduce the chances of worst-case scenarios.

• Implement a hybrid sorting algorithm like Introsort which switches to heap sort when the recursion depth exceeds a certain limit.

• Use median-of-three partitioning to select a good pivot element for better performance.

• Optimize the algorithm by using insertion sort for small subarrays to reduce...read more

The task is to distribute candies to students based on their performance while minimizing the total candies distributed.

• Create an array to store the minimum candies required for each student.

• Iterate through the students' ratings array to determine the minimum candies needed based on the given criteria.

• Consider the ratings of adjacent students to decide the number of candies to distribute.

• Calculate the total candies required by summing up the values in the array.

• Implement a fu...read more

Implement a function to compress a string by replacing consecutive characters with the character followed by the count of repetitions.

• Iterate through the input string and keep track of consecutive characters and their counts

• Replace consecutive characters with the character followed by the count of repetitions if count is greater than 1

• Return the compressed string

Print a binary pattern based on input integer N in a specific format.

• Iterate from N to 1 and print N - i + 1 numbers alternatively as 1 or 0 in each line

• Handle the test cases by reading the number of test cases first

• Follow the given constraints for input and output format

The task is to determine the maximum number of unique vehicle registrations given the number of districts, letter ranges, and digit ranges.

• Parse the input for each test case: number of districts, letter ranges, and digit ranges.

• Calculate the total number of unique registrations based on the given constraints.

• Output the maximum number of unique vehicle registrations for each test case.

• Consider the ranges of alphabets and digits to determine the total combinations possible.

• Ensu...read more

Generate all valid parentheses combinations for a given number of pairs.

• Use backtracking to generate all possible combinations of parentheses.

• Keep track of the number of open and close parentheses used.

• Add '(' if there are remaining open parentheses, and add ')' if there are remaining close parentheses.

• Stop when the length of the generated string is equal to 2*N.

Count the total number of unique pairs in an array whose elements sum up to a given value.

• Iterate through the array and for each element, check if the complement (Sum - current element) exists in a hash set.

• If the complement exists, increment the count of pairs and add the current element to the hash set.

• Return the total count of pairs at the end.

Determine the maximum amount of money a thief can steal from houses without looting two consecutive houses.

• Create an array 'dp' to store the maximum money that can be stolen up to the i-th house.

• Iterate through the houses and update 'dp' based on whether the current house is looted or not.

• Return the maximum value in 'dp' as the answer.

The problem involves maximizing profit by cutting a rod into pieces with different costs associated with each length.

• Iterate through all possible cuts and calculate the maximum profit for each length

• Use dynamic programming to store and reuse subproblem solutions

• Choose the cut that maximizes profit at each step

• Return the maximum profit obtained by selling the pieces

Calculate the minimum cost to connect all points on a 2D plane using Manhattan distance.

• Iterate through all pairs of points and calculate Manhattan distance between them

• Use a minimum spanning tree algorithm like Kruskal's or Prim's to find the minimum cost

• Ensure all points are connected with one simple path only

Determine the maximum time Ninja can survive in a space survival game challenge with different planet effects on health and armour.

• Create a function that takes initial health and armour as input for each test case

• Simulate Ninja's movement between planets and update health and armour accordingly

• Keep track of the maximum time Ninja can survive before health or armour reaches 0

Remove duplicates from an array of integers while maintaining the order.

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

• Add elements to the set if they are not already present.

• Convert the set back to an array to maintain order.

Procedural programming focuses on procedures and functions, while OOP emphasizes objects and classes.

• Procedural programming uses a top-down approach, while OOP uses a bottom-up approach.

• In procedural programming, data and functions are separate, while in OOP, they are encapsulated within objects.

• Procedural programming is more suitable for small-scale programs, while OOP is better for large-scale projects.

• C is a procedural programming language, lacking the features of OOP like...read more

List of 15 Linux commands with their functions

• ls - list directory contents

• pwd - print working directory

• cd - change directory

• mkdir - make a new directory

• rm - remove files or directories

• cp - copy files and directories

• mv - move or rename files and directories

• grep - search for patterns in files

• chmod - change file permissions

• ps - display information about running processes

• top - display and update sorted information about processes

• kill - send signals to processes

• tar - create or ext...read more

A constructor is a special method used to initialize an object, while a method is a function that performs a specific task.

• Constructors are called automatically when an object is created, while methods need to be called explicitly.

• Constructors have the same name as the class, while methods can have any valid name.

• Constructors do not have a return type, while methods can have a return type.

• Constructors are used to set initial values of instance variables, while methods are use...read more

OOP concepts are the building blocks of Object Oriented Programming. The four pillars of OOP are Abstraction, Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Polymorphism.

• Abstraction: Hiding implementation details and showing only necessary information to the user.

• Encapsulation: Binding data and functions together to protect data from outside interference.

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

• Polymorphism: Ability of objects to take on multip...read more

Early binding is resolved at compile time while late binding is resolved at runtime in C++.

• Early binding is also known as static binding, where the function call is resolved at compile time based on the type of the object.

• Late binding is also known as dynamic binding, where the function call is resolved at runtime based on the actual type of the object.

• Early binding is faster as the function call is directly linked during compilation.

• Late binding allows for more flexibility a...read more

C is a procedural programming language while C++ is an extension of C with added features of object-oriented programming.

• C is a procedural language, while C++ supports both procedural and object-oriented programming.

• C++ has additional features like classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism.

• C++ supports function overloading and exception handling, which are not present in C.

• C++ has a standard template library (STL) that provides useful data structures and algorithms.

• C++ ...read more

A turbine is a mechanical device that converts the energy from a fluid flow into useful work.

• Turbines are commonly used in power generation, aviation, and marine applications.

• They consist of several key parts including the rotor, stator, blades, and shaft.

• The rotor is the rotating part of the turbine, while the stator is the stationary part.

• Blades are attached to the rotor and are designed to capture the energy of the fluid flow.

• The shaft connects the rotor to the external lo...read more

Different languages used in DBMS include SQL, PL/SQL, T-SQL, and NoSQL.

• SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for relational database management systems.

• PL/SQL (Procedural Language/SQL) is Oracle Corporation's procedural extension for SQL.

• T-SQL (Transact-SQL) is Microsoft's proprietary extension to SQL.

• NoSQL encompasses a wide range of database technologies that can store unstructured, semi-structured, or structured data.

Modeling an upsetting operation involves understanding process parameters and their relationships.

• Upsetting is a metal forming process that involves compressing a metal workpiece to reduce its length and increase its diameter.

• Process parameters include temperature, pressure, and deformation rate.

• Temperature affects the material's flow stress and ductility, while pressure and deformation rate affect the material's strain hardening behavior.

• The relationship between these parame...read more

Protocols are a set of rules that govern the communication between devices or systems.

• Protocols define the format, timing, sequencing, and error checking of messages exchanged between devices.

• Different types of protocols include network protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP), communication protocols (RS-232, USB, Bluetooth), and application protocols (SMTP, POP3, IMAP).

• Network protocols govern the communication between devices on a network, while communication protocols govern the com...read more

Interview questions for System Engineer position

• Constructor is a special method that is used to initialize an object

• Method overriding is when a subclass provides its own implementation of a method that is already present in the parent class, while method overloading is when multiple methods have the same name but different parameters

• Program to print prime numbers between two given ranges can be achieved using nested loops and checking for prime numbers using modulus operator

• A...read more

Yes, I am open to working on different domains as it will broaden my knowledge and skills.

• I am always eager to learn new things and take on new challenges.

• Working on a different domain will give me the opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills.

• I am confident that I can adapt quickly and efficiently to a new domain.

• Examples: If I have experience in software engineering and I am asked to work on a networking project, I will be willing to learn and work on it.

• Examples: If I ...read more

DELETE removes specific rows from a table, while TRUNCATE removes all rows from a table.

• DELETE is a DML command, while TRUNCATE is a DDL command.

• DELETE can be rolled back, while TRUNCATE cannot be rolled back.

• DELETE triggers the delete trigger for each row, while TRUNCATE does not trigger any delete triggers.

• DELETE is slower as it maintains logs, while TRUNCATE is faster as it does not maintain logs.

• Example: DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition; TRUNCATE table_name;

DDL is used to define the structure of database objects, while DML is used to manipulate data within those objects.

• DDL includes commands like CREATE, ALTER, DROP to define database objects like tables, indexes, etc.

• DML includes commands like INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE to manipulate data within tables.

• Example of DDL: CREATE TABLE employees (id INT, name VARCHAR(50));

• Example of DML: INSERT INTO employees VALUES (1, 'John Doe');

Permutations of a string with fixed characters.

• For 1st character fixed: Generate permutations for the remaining characters.

• For 1st and 2nd characters fixed: Generate permutations for the remaining characters.

• For 1st, 2nd, and 3rd characters fixed: Generate permutations for the remaining characters.

I want to switch to system engineering as it aligns with my interests and skills.

• I have always been interested in technology and how systems work

• I have gained experience in programming and software development

• I believe my skills in problem-solving and critical thinking will be valuable in system engineering

• I am excited about the opportunity to work on complex systems and contribute to their design and development

Java is a popular programming language known for its platform independence, object-oriented approach, and robustness.

• Java is platform independent, meaning it can run on any platform that has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

• It is object-oriented, allowing for modular and reusable code.

• Java is known for its robustness and reliability, with features like automatic memory management and exception handling.

• Java has a rich set of APIs and libraries, making it versatile for various app...read more

The Diamond Problem in C++ occurs when a class inherits from two classes that have a common base class, leading to ambiguity in method resolution.

• Diamond Problem arises in multiple inheritance in C++ when a class inherits from two classes that have a common base class.

• Ambiguity occurs when the derived class tries to access a method or attribute from the common base class.

• To resolve the Diamond Problem, virtual inheritance can be used to ensure that only one instance of the co...read more

Call by Value passes a copy of the actual parameter, while Call by Reference passes the address of the actual parameter.

• Call by Value: Changes made to the formal parameter inside the function do not affect the actual parameter.

• Call by Reference: Changes made to the formal parameter inside the function affect the actual parameter.

• Example: void swap(int a, int b) vs void swap(int &a, int &b)

Assignment is assigning a value to a variable, while initialization is declaring and assigning a value to a variable.

• Assignment changes the value of an existing variable, while initialization creates a new variable and assigns a value to it.

• Initialization is done only once, while assignment can be done multiple times.

• Example of initialization: int x = 5; Example of assignment: x = 10;

• Initialization can also be done using constructors in object-oriented programming.

• In C++, uni...read more

Types of inheritance in OOP include single, multiple, multilevel, hierarchical, hybrid, and multipath inheritance.

• Single inheritance: A class inherits from only one base class.

• Multiple inheritance: A class inherits from more than one base class.

• Multilevel inheritance: A class inherits from a class which in turn inherits from another class.

• Hierarchical inheritance: Multiple classes inherit from a single base class.

• Hybrid inheritance: Combination of multiple and multilevel inhe...read more

Experience certainty refers to the level of confidence and assurance gained through repeated exposure to a particular task or situation.

• Experience certainty is achieved through repetition and familiarity.

• It allows individuals to perform tasks with greater ease and efficiency.

• For example, a pilot who has flown the same route multiple times will have a higher level of experience certainty compared to a pilot who is flying the route for the first time.

• Experience certainty can al...read more

A normal function is called directly in the code, while a stored procedure is invoked using a database query.

• Normal function calling is done within the program code, while stored procedure invocation is done through a database query.

• Normal functions are defined and called within the same programming language, while stored procedures are defined and invoked within a database management system.

• Normal function calling is synchronous, while stored procedure invocation can be asyn...read more

C++ has three types of loops: for, while, and do-while.

• For loop is used when the number of iterations is known beforehand.

• While loop is used when the number of iterations is not known beforehand.

• Do-while loop is similar to while loop, but it executes at least once before checking the condition.

A machine is a device that performs a specific task using power and mechanisms.

• Machines can be simple or complex, ranging from a simple lever to a complex computer.

• Machines use energy to perform work, such as lifting, moving, or transforming materials.

• Examples of machines include cars, airplanes, washing machines, and robots.

• Machines can be classified into six types: lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.

The smallest real-time project in Java could be a simple chat application, while the biggest could be a complex financial trading system.

• Smallest real-time project in Java: Chat application

• Biggest real-time project in Java: Financial trading system

• Big Data refers to large and complex data sets that cannot be easily processed using traditional data processing applications.

• For performing actions on 2 billion entries, technologies like Hadoop, Spark, and languages like Java or S...read more

Basic gating logic includes And, Or, Nand, and Nor gates. Nand gate can be built using other gates.

• And gate outputs true only when all inputs are true.

• Or gate outputs true when at least one input is true.

• Nand gate outputs the negation of the And gate.

• Nor gate outputs the negation of the Or gate.

• Nand gate can be built by combining an And gate followed by a Not gate.

Middleware in web development acts as a bridge between different components of a software application, allowing them to communicate and interact with each other.

• Middleware is software that connects different software applications or components.

• It helps in handling communication between different systems or components.

• Middleware can provide services such as authentication, logging, and caching.

• Examples of middleware include Express.js in Node.js applications and Django middlew...read more