Full-Stack Engineer, Retail Engineering

Apple

Write a function that uses iteration to print all numbers from 1 to a given number. For example, if the input is 5, the function should print: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Now, extend this function to print only the even numbers within that range. For instance, if the input is 10, the output should be: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. Finally, modify the function to accept a second argument, which represents the step size. Using iteration, print numbers starting from 1 up to the given number, incrementing by the step size. As an example, given the number 15 and a step size of 3, the expected output is: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13. Be sure to handle edge cases and invalid inputs appropriately.

Apple

You're troubleshooting a mission-critical server (cannot be rebooted) that is experiencing severe lag. You only have terminal access. Describe your debugging process, including specific commands and tools you'd use to diagnose the issue. For example, would you start by checking CPU usage, memory consumption, or disk I/O? What commands would you use to identify the most resource-intensive processes? How would you investigate potential network bottlenecks or file system issues? Be as detailed as possible in outlining your approach to pinpointing the cause of the lag and suggesting potential solutions, keeping in mind that a reboot is not an option.

Apple

Tell me about the most difficult project you've ever worked on and how you managed to deliver. To provide context, please consider these aspects: What were the specific challenges? For example, was it a tight deadline, limited resources, a novel technology, ambiguous requirements, or conflicting stakeholder expectations? Elaborate on the nature and magnitude of these challenges. What role did you play? Were you leading the project, a core contributor, or in a support role? Describe your responsibilities and level of autonomy. What specific actions did you take to overcome these challenges? Did you implement any specific strategies, tools, or methodologies? Did you have to make any difficult decisions or trade-offs? Provide concrete examples of your problem-solving approach, technical skills, and leadership abilities. How did you collaborate with your team and stakeholders? Describe how you communicated progress, resolved conflicts, and ensured alignment among team members and stakeholders. Did you have to manage any difficult personalities or navigate any political sensitivities? What were the results of your efforts? Did you successfully deliver the project? Did you meet or exceed expectations? What were the key lessons learned from this experience? Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible (e.g., reduced costs by X%, improved efficiency by Y%). For instance, perhaps you spearheaded the development of a new machine learning model with a very aggressive timeline while dealing with constantly shifting requirements from the business team and a lack of readily available training data. Or maybe you were tasked with migrating a legacy system to a modern cloud-based architecture with limited budget and a team with varying levels of expertise. Or consider a situation where you were responsible for launching a new product feature under immense pressure from senior management, requiring you to make tough calls on scope and prioritize ruthlessly. Share your story, highlighting the obstacles you faced and how you successfully navigated them.