1500+ System Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

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

Cut the cake horizontally twice and then vertically once.

• Cut the cake horizontally into two equal halves.

• Stack the two halves and cut horizontally again to get four equal pieces.

• Finally, cut vertically through the center to get eight equal pieces.

The goal is to minimize the difference between the maximum and minimum elements of an array by adjusting each element by a given value.

• Iterate through the array and for each element, calculate the minimum and maximum possible values after adjusting by K

• Find the minimum and maximum values after adjustments for all elements

• Calculate the difference between the maximum and minimum values to get the final result

Constructor is a special method used to initialize an object, while a method is a function that performs a specific task within a class.

• 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 have unique names.

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

• Example: Constructor - public ClassName() { // initialization code }, Method - pu...read more

SQL is a programming language used to manage and manipulate relational databases.

• SQL stands for Structured Query Language.

• It is used to create, modify, and query databases.

• SQL is used in various industries such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.

• Examples of SQL commands include SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE.

• SQL is used to retrieve specific data from a database using queries.

Matlab is a programming language and environment used for numerical computation, data analysis, and visualization.

• Matlab is used for development and testing in various fields such as engineering, finance, and scientific research.

• Some tools commonly used in Matlab development and testing are Simulink, MATLAB Compiler, and MATLAB Coder.

• Matlab supports various data types including numeric, logical, character, and cell arrays.

• Embedded C is a subset of the C programming language u...read more

Multitasking refers to the ability of an operating system to run multiple tasks concurrently, while multithreading involves executing multiple threads within a single process.

• Multitasking allows multiple programs to run simultaneously on a single processor, switching between them quickly.

• Multithreading enables a single program to perform multiple tasks concurrently by dividing it into smaller threads that can be executed independently.

• Multitasking is at the process level, whi...read more

IPSEC VPN is a secure network connection that uses encryption and authentication protocols. Phase 1 establishes a secure channel, while Phase 2 sets up the actual VPN tunnel.

• IPSEC VPN provides secure communication over an untrusted network.

• Phase 1 negotiates the security parameters and establishes a secure channel.

• Phase 2 sets up the actual VPN tunnel for data transmission.

• Phase 1 uses the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol for authentication and key exchange.

• Phase 2 uses t...read more

Check if the binary representation of a given integer is a palindrome.

• Convert the integer to binary representation.

• Check if the binary representation is a palindrome by comparing it with its reverse.

• Return true if it is a palindrome, false otherwise.

Find the position of the first occurrence of '1' in a sorted array of 0's and 1's.

• Iterate through the array and find the index of the first '1'.

• Return the index + 1 as the position (1-based indexing).

• If no '1' is found, return -1.

To select a record from a table, use the SELECT statement with appropriate conditions.

• Use the SELECT statement with the appropriate columns to retrieve data from the table.

• Specify the table name in the FROM clause.

• Use the WHERE clause to specify the conditions for selecting the record.

• Example: SELECT * FROM table_name WHERE column_name = 'value';

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

Find duplicates in an array of integers within a specified range.

• Iterate through the array and keep track of the count of each element using a hashmap.

• Return elements with count greater than 1 as duplicates.

• Time complexity can be optimized to O(N) using a set to store duplicates.

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

The S7 controller has limited scalability and flexibility compared to other controllers.

• Limited number of I/O points

• Limited memory capacity

• Limited processing power

• Limited communication options

• Limited support for advanced programming languages

• Limited compatibility with third-party devices

• Limited ability to handle complex control algorithms

• Limited fault diagnostics capabilities

SDLC stands for Software Development Life Cycle.

• SDLC is a process used by software development teams to design, develop, and test high-quality software.

• It consists of several phases including planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.

• Each phase has its own set of activities and deliverables that must be completed before moving on to the next phase.

• SDLC helps ensure that software is developed efficiently, on time, and within budget.

• Examples of SDLC m...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

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

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

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