Software Development Engineer, Amazon

Amazon

You are given an array of integers. Write a function to find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum and return that sum. For example: Given the array [-2, 1, -3, 4, -1, 2, 1, -5, 4], the contiguous subarray [4, -1, 2, 1] has the largest sum = 6. Given the array [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], the contiguous subarray [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] has the largest sum = 15. Given the array [-1, -2, -3], the contiguous subarray [-1] has the largest sum = -1. Your function should be efficient and handle arrays with both positive and negative numbers. Explain the time complexity of your solution. Can you implement this using dynamic programming? Are there other approaches? Discuss the tradeoffs of the various potential solutions.

Amazon

Elevator System Design Design an elevator system for a 20-story building. Consider the following: Number of Elevators: How many elevators would you recommend, and why? Elevator Capacity: What should be the capacity (in terms of weight and number of people) of each elevator? Algorithm for Request Handling: Describe an algorithm for efficiently handling elevator requests, considering factors like minimizing wait times and energy consumption. Example: Should the elevator always go to the closest floor first, or should it consider the direction of travel? Edge Cases and Error Handling: How would you handle edge cases such as: Elevator malfunction? Power outage? Overweight elevator? Simultaneous requests from multiple floors? Optimization: How can you optimize the system for peak hours (e.g., morning rush hour, lunch break)? Consider strategies like: Designating specific elevators for up/down travel during peak times. Implementing a learning system that adapts to usage patterns. User Interface: Describe the user interface (both inside the elevator and on each floor) and how it provides feedback to users. Scalability: How would the design change for a 50-story or 100-story building? What are the limitations of your current design? Explain your design choices and justify them with appropriate reasoning. Focus on creating a robust, efficient, and user-friendly elevator system.

Amazon

Describe a time when a plan did not go as expected.