100+ Technical Architect Interview Questions and Answers

Managing clients and handling critical issues

• Establish clear communication channels with clients

• Set realistic expectations and manage client's expectations

• Proactively identify and address potential issues

• Provide timely updates and resolutions

• Maintain a positive and professional attitude

• Document and learn from critical issues for future improvement

Non-functional requirements are handled by considering various factors and capacity planning is done by analyzing current and future needs.

• Identify and prioritize non-functional requirements

• Analyze the impact of non-functional requirements on the system

• Design and implement solutions to meet non-functional requirements

• Perform capacity planning by considering current and future needs

• Monitor system performance and make adjustments as necessary

Modernizations on Mainframes include migration to cloud, adoption of DevOps practices, and integration with modern technologies.

• Migration of mainframe applications to cloud platforms like AWS or Azure

• Adoption of DevOps practices for continuous integration and delivery

• Integration of mainframe systems with modern technologies like APIs and microservices

• Replacement of legacy mainframe applications with modern web or mobile applications

• Implementation of modern security measures a...read more

Architectural principles and methodologies are fundamental concepts that guide the design and development of software systems.

• Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)

• Microservices Architecture

• Event-Driven Architecture (EDA)

• Domain-Driven Design (DDD)

• Layered Architecture

• Component-Based Architecture

• Model-View-Controller (MVC)

• RESTful Architecture

• Big Data Architecture

• Cloud Computing Architecture

Design event hub generated source system data consumption architecture in Azure

• Create an event hub to receive data from source system

• Use Azure Stream Analytics to process and transform data

• Store data in Azure Data Lake Storage or Azure Blob Storage

• Use Azure Databricks or Azure HDInsight for further analysis

• Consider using Azure Functions for real-time processing

• Ensure proper security and access control measures are in place

Answering questions related to Microservices, cloud migration, Spring Boot, and Java 8 features.

• Patterns of Microservices include API Gateway, Service Registry, Circuit Breaker, and more.

• Steps to migrate an application from legacy to cloud include assessing the application, selecting a cloud provider, and refactoring the application.

• Spring Boot internal functionality includes auto-configuration, embedded server, and more.

• Java 8 features include Lambda expressions, Stream API,...read more

We will use load balancing and circuit breaker pattern to handle the exception scenario.

• We will use a load balancer to redirect traffic to other healthy microservices.

• We will implement a circuit breaker pattern to prevent cascading failures.

• We will use monitoring tools to detect the failure and take necessary actions.

• We will have a fallback mechanism in place to handle the failure scenario.

Java class loaders are responsible for loading classes during runtime.

• Java class loaders are responsible for loading classes during runtime.

• There are three types of class loaders: Bootstrap, Extension, and System.

• Custom class loaders can also be created to load classes from non-standard sources.

• Class loaders follow a delegation model where they first check if a class has already been loaded before attempting to load it again.

• Class loaders can also be used to enforce security ...read more

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system.

• There are three types of authentication: something you know (passwords, PINs), something you have (smart cards, tokens), and something you are (biometrics).

• Two-factor authentication combines two of these types for added security.

• Authentication protocols include OAuth, OpenID Connect, and SAML.

• Authentication can also be classified as single-factor, multi-factor, or risk-based.

• Common authentication meth...read more

Designing microservices architecture involves breaking down a monolithic application into smaller, independent services.

• Identify business capabilities and define services around them

• Use API gateways for routing and load balancing

• Implement service discovery and registration

• Ensure fault tolerance and scalability

• Use event-driven architecture for communication between services

• Implement distributed transactions using Saga pattern

• Use containerization and orchestration tools like Do...read more

MVC URL routing allows for custom URL definitions in ASP.NET

• MVC URL routing maps URLs to controller actions

• Normal URL definition uses query strings to pass parameters

• MVC URL routing is more SEO-friendly

• MVC URL routing can be configured in RouteConfig.cs file

• Example: /products/category/electronics maps to ProductsController's Category action with 'electronics' parameter

Steps performed when a migration requirement comes

• Assess the current system and identify the scope of migration

• Determine the target system and its requirements

• Plan the migration process and create a timeline

• Test the migration process in a non-production environment

• Execute the migration process and monitor for any issues

• Validate the migrated system to ensure it meets the requirements

• Provide post-migration support and maintenance

Answers to various technical questions related to Node.js, Java, Docker, and Spring Boot.

• Node.js uses event-driven, non-blocking I/O model for asynchronous programming, while Java uses threads for concurrency.

• In Node.js, asynchronous operations are handled using callbacks or promises, whereas Java uses CompletableFuture or RxJava for asynchronous programming.

• docker add copies files from the source directory and adds them to the image, while docker copy copies files from the h...read more

To access security on CICS screen on distributed system, use CICS Transaction Server Security.

• Use CICS Transaction Server Security to control access to CICS resources.

• Define security policies and profiles to control access to CICS resources.

• Use the CICS Security API to check security status and perform security-related tasks.

• Examples of CICS security features include RACF, ACF2, and Top Secret.

• Ensure that all users have appropriate security clearance before accessing CICS res...read more

Improve legacy app performance by optimizing code, implementing caching, and scaling resources.

• Optimize code by identifying and removing bottlenecks

• Implement caching to reduce database calls and improve response time

• Scale resources by using containers or serverless architecture

• Use asynchronous processing for long-running tasks

• Upgrade hardware or infrastructure if necessary

Data can be transferred using ETL tools or APIs. The process can be optimized by batching and parallel processing.

• Use ETL tools like Talend or Pentaho to extract data from desktop application and load it into web application

• Create APIs to transfer data in batches to avoid network congestion

• Optimize the process by parallel processing of data transfer

• Ensure data integrity and consistency during transfer

I am familiar with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

• Experience with AWS services such as EC2, S3, Lambda, and RDS

• Familiarity with Azure services like Virtual Machines, Blob Storage, and Functions

• Knowledge of Google Cloud Platform services such as Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and Cloud Functions

Caching is a technique used to store frequently accessed data in memory for faster access.

• Caching can improve application performance by reducing the number of requests to the database or other external systems.

• Caching can be implemented at different levels such as application level, database level, and network level.

• Caching strategies include time-based expiration, least recently used (LRU) eviction, and invalidation.

• Examples of caching technologies include Redis, Memcached,...read more

Given an array of integers, return indices of numbers that can result in the sum of the target number.

• Use a hash table to store the complement of each number in the array and its index.

• Iterate through the array and check if the complement exists in the hash table.

• If it exists, return the indices of the current number and its complement.

MVC separates concerns, promotes code reusability, and enhances testability.

• MVC separates the application into Model, View, and Controller components.

• Model represents the data and business logic.

• View represents the user interface.

• Controller handles user input and updates the model and view accordingly.

• MVC promotes code reusability by separating concerns.

• MVC enhances testability by allowing for easier unit testing of individual components.

• MVC allows for easier maintenance and ...read more

To establish connection between services running in different cloud providers, we can use various methods.

• One way is to use APIs provided by the cloud providers to connect the services.

• Another way is to use middleware like Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ to connect the services.

• We can also use VPNs to establish a secure connection between the cloud providers.

• Container orchestration tools like Kubernetes can also be used to connect the services.

• It is important to ensure that the conn...read more

Microservices are small, independent services that work together, while monolithic is a single, large application.

• Microservices are loosely coupled and can be developed and deployed independently.

• Monolithic applications are tightly coupled and require a full deployment for any changes.

• Microservices allow for better scalability and fault tolerance.

• Monolithic applications can be simpler to develop and deploy initially.

• Examples of microservices include Netflix, Amazon, and Uber....read more

Static methods are bound to a class and not an instance, while class methods are bound to a class and can access class-level variables.

• Static methods are defined using the @staticmethod decorator and do not take any special parameters.

• Class methods are defined using the @classmethod decorator and take the class itself as the first parameter.

• Static methods are often used for utility functions that do not require access to instance or class variables.

• Class methods are often use...read more

Handled conflicts in code merging and resource allocation.

• Used version control systems like Git to manage code merging conflicts.

• Communicated with team members to resolve resource allocation conflicts.

• Prioritized tasks and resources based on project requirements.

• Implemented agile methodologies to minimize conflicts and improve collaboration.

• Documented conflict resolution processes for future reference.

I have worked on optimizing data pipeline performance by implementing parallel processing, caching, and optimizing queries.

• Implemented parallel processing to increase throughput

• Utilized caching to reduce data retrieval time

• Optimized queries to reduce database load

• Used compression techniques to reduce data transfer time

• Implemented load balancing to distribute workload

• Used indexing to improve query performance

Design and implement a loan application system using Java.

• Identify the necessary data fields for a loan application

• Create a user interface for applicants to input their information

• Implement validation checks for input data

• Calculate loan eligibility based on input data

• Store application data in a database

• Generate loan approval/rejection letters

Different connection protocols in Azure have separate access policies.

• Access policies can be set for different connection protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, etc.

• Each protocol can have its own set of rules and permissions for accessing resources.

• For example, HTTPS may require a higher level of authentication than HTTP.

• Separate policies allow for more granular control over access to resources.

• This can improve security and compliance with regulations.

State management in ASP.Net refers to the process of storing and retrieving data between HTTP requests.

• ASP.Net provides various techniques for state management such as ViewState, Session, Application, and Cache.

• ViewState is used to store page-specific data, Session is used to store user-specific data, Application is used to store application-level data, and Cache is used to store frequently accessed data.

• State management is important for maintaining the state of an applicatio...read more

Migrating Mainframe security to Distributed system requires careful planning and execution.

• Identify the security requirements of the Mainframe system

• Evaluate the security features of the Distributed system

• Develop a migration plan that addresses any gaps in security features

• Test the security of the Distributed system thoroughly before deployment

• Train users on the new security features and best practices

I use a centralized logging system and implement a standardized logging format.

• Implement a centralized logging system such as ELK stack or Splunk

• Standardize the logging format across all applications

• Use unique identifiers to track logs from different applications

• Set up alerts and notifications for critical logs

• Regularly review and analyze logs for insights and improvements

Explained microservice project architecture and design patterns.

• Our microservice project follows a domain-driven design approach.

• We use API Gateway pattern to handle requests and route them to appropriate microservices.

• We also use Circuit Breaker pattern to handle failures and prevent cascading failures.

• Each microservice has its own database and communicates with other microservices through REST APIs.

• We use containerization with Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes for de...read more

Different approaches for a Greenfield Snowflake project include data modeling, ETL design, and performance optimization.

• Develop a comprehensive data model to ensure efficient storage and retrieval of data.

• Design ETL processes to extract, transform, and load data into Snowflake.

• Implement performance optimization techniques such as clustering keys and materialized views.

• Utilize Snowflake's features like semi-structured data support and automatic scaling for improved efficiency....read more

Data can be passed with multiple approval process in Azure architecture using Azure Logic Apps and Azure Functions.

• Use Azure Logic Apps to create a workflow that triggers the approval process

• Pass the data to be approved as inputs to the Logic App

• Configure the approval step using connectors like Office 365 Outlook or Microsoft Teams

• Once approved, use Azure Functions to process the approved data

• Azure Functions can be triggered by the Logic App upon approval

• Process the data and ...read more

Services in Angular are used to share data or functionality across components. They are singleton objects that can be injected into components.

• Services are created using the 'ng generate service' command or by manually creating a TypeScript class with the @Injectable decorator.

• Services can be injected into components using the constructor of the component class.

• Services can be used to fetch data from APIs, share data between components, or perform common tasks that need to be...read more

forEach() is a method of List interface while Stream API provides forEach() for streams. Terminal operations produce a result while intermediate operations return a new stream.

• forEach() of List is used to iterate over elements in a sequential manner while forEach() of Stream API is used to perform an action on each element in a parallel manner.

• Terminal operations like collect(), reduce(), and forEach() produce a result and close the stream while intermediate operations like f...read more

Entity Framework is recommended due to its higher level of abstraction and productivity.

• Entity Framework provides a higher level of abstraction, making it easier to work with databases.

• It supports various database providers, allowing for flexibility in choosing the backend.

• Entity Framework enables rapid development with features like automatic code generation and change tracking.

• It offers a rich set of features like LINQ support, caching, and transaction management.

• ADO.NET re...read more

I remain calm, analyze the issue, prioritize tasks, involve necessary stakeholders, implement a solution, and document the resolution.

• Remain calm and assess the situation

• Prioritize tasks based on impact and urgency

• Involve necessary stakeholders such as developers, operations team, and management

• Implement a solution while keeping communication channels open

• Document the issue, resolution steps, and any learnings for future reference

Time travel functionality in Databricks allows users to query data at a specific point in time.

• Enable time travel on a table by setting the table property 'delta.enableChangeDataFeed' to true

• Use the AS OF clause in SQL queries to specify a specific point in time to query data

• Time travel can be used for auditing, debugging, and recovering lost data

• Example: SELECT * FROM table_name AS OF TIMESTAMP '2022-01-01 00:00:00'

We use Git as our version control tool and Jenkins for CI/CD.

• We use Git for version control as it is widely used and has a lot of community support.

• Jenkins is our preferred CI/CD tool as it is open-source and has a large number of plugins available.

• We have also used other version control tools like SVN and Mercurial in the past.

• For CI/CD, we have used tools like Travis CI and CircleCI for specific projects.

• We follow the GitFlow branching model for our development process.

Design a user access control system with granular control for pages, controls, data, and response masking.

• Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to assign permissions to users based on their roles.

• Utilize attribute-based access control (ABAC) for more fine-grained control over access to specific pages, controls, and data.

• Implement data masking techniques to ensure sensitive information is not exposed in responses.

• Use a combination of authentication mechanisms such as OAut...read more

Postback events are server-side events triggered by user actions on a web page.

• Postback events occur when a user interacts with a web page and the page sends a request back to the server for processing.

• Examples of postback events include clicking a button, selecting an item from a dropdown list, or submitting a form.

• Postback events can be used to update the page content without requiring a full page refresh.

• ASP.NET is a framework that uses postback events extensively.

ASP.Net cache is a feature that stores frequently accessed data in memory to improve application performance.

• ASP.Net cache is available in two types: in-memory cache and distributed cache.

• In-memory cache stores data in the memory of the web server.

• Distributed cache stores data in a separate cache server that can be accessed by multiple web servers.

• ASP.Net cache can be used to store data such as database query results, page output, and application configuration settings.

• Cache ...read more

Salesforce integration patterns include point-to-point, middleware, and API-led approaches.

• Point-to-point integration involves connecting two systems directly.

• Middleware integration involves using a third-party software to connect systems.

• API-led integration involves using APIs to connect systems in a reusable and scalable way.

• Salesforce supports various integration technologies such as REST, SOAP, and Bulk APIs.

• Salesforce also provides integration tools like Salesforce Conne...read more

Data transmission security is ensured through configuration and handling of encryption, authentication, and secure protocols.

• Implement encryption algorithms like SSL/TLS to secure data transmission

• Use secure protocols like HTTPS, SFTP, or SSH for transmitting sensitive data

• Implement authentication mechanisms like OAuth, JWT, or certificates to verify the identity of the sender and receiver

• Apply data integrity checks like digital signatures or checksums to detect tampering

• Impl...read more

Microservices architecture for a wealth management app involves breaking down the application into smaller, independent services.

• Each microservice focuses on a specific business function, such as client onboarding, portfolio management, or reporting.

• Services communicate through APIs, allowing for flexibility and scalability.

• Each microservice can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently, leading to faster development cycles and easier maintenance.

• Microservices architec...read more

RabbitMQ is a message broker that enables communication between distributed systems. Service Worker is a browser API that allows background processing.

• RabbitMQ is used for asynchronous messaging between applications and services

• It supports multiple messaging protocols such as AMQP, MQTT, and STOMP

• Service Worker allows web applications to run scripts in the background, even when the browser is closed

• It can be used for tasks such as caching, push notifications, and background s...read more

AoT (Ahead of Time) is a compilation technique used in Microsoft Azure to improve application performance.

• AoT compiles code before it is executed, resulting in faster startup times and reduced memory usage.

• It is commonly used in Azure Functions and Azure Web Apps.

• AoT can also improve security by detecting potential vulnerabilities during compilation.

• It is different from Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation, which compiles code during runtime.

• AoT can be used with multiple programmin...read more