Senior Software Engineer, Search

Google

Given a tree data structure, and a set of nodes within that tree, how do you find all of their common parents? For example, consider a tree where node A is the root, and it has children B and C. Node B has children D and E, and node C has a child F. If the input set of nodes is {D, E, F}, then the common parents would be {B, C, A}. If the input set of nodes is {D, E}, then the common parents would be {B, A}. Design an algorithm to efficiently find these common parents, considering potential optimizations for different tree structures and sizes.

Google

Let's design a system for URL shortening, like TinyURL. Assume that we need to handle a large number of requests, say billions of URLs per day. Consider the following: Functional Requirements: The system should generate a shorter, unique alias for a given URL. Users should be able to enter a shortened URL and be redirected to the original URL. The shortened URLs should be relatively short. Non-Functional Requirements: The system should be highly available. URL redirection should be as fast as possible. The shortened URLs should be unique. The system should be scalable to handle a large number of URLs and requests. Considerations: How would you design the data model to store the mappings between shortened and original URLs? What algorithms would you use to generate the shortened URLs? Consider the trade-offs between different algorithms. How would you handle collisions (when the same shortened URL is generated for two different original URLs)? What kind of database would you use and why? How would you handle the high volume of traffic and ensure low latency for redirection? Consider caching strategies. How would you scale the system to handle future growth? Walk me through your design, explaining your choices and the rationale behind them. Include diagrams and specific technologies where appropriate. Explain how you would ensure the system meets the requirements for availability, performance, and scalability.

Google

Why do you want to work for Google? To provide a more comprehensive answer, consider these points: Google's Mission and Values: How do Google's mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful align with your own values and career aspirations? Can you provide specific examples of Google's products or initiatives that resonate with you and explain why? Google's Culture of Innovation: Google is renowned for its innovative culture. What aspects of this culture appeal to you most? For instance, are you drawn to Google's emphasis on experimentation, its commitment to open-source projects, or its support for employee creativity through initiatives like 20% time? How do you believe you would contribute to and thrive in such an environment? Opportunities for Growth and Learning: Google offers numerous opportunities for professional development and learning. Are there specific technologies, teams, or projects at Google that you are particularly interested in? Have you researched specific Google teams doing work that aligns with your interests and skills? How do you envision your career progressing at Google, and what skills or knowledge do you hope to gain? Impact and Scale: Google's products and services have a global impact, reaching billions of users. How does the opportunity to work on projects with such a wide reach motivate you? Can you provide examples of how you would approach challenges related to scalability, reliability, and user experience in a global context? Specific Skills and Contributions: What specific skills and experiences do you bring that would make you a valuable asset to Google? Highlight your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, teamwork skills, and any relevant accomplishments. For example, can you discuss a time when you successfully tackled a challenging technical problem or collaborated effectively on a complex project? By addressing these points with specific examples and demonstrating a genuine interest in Google's mission, culture, and opportunities, you can provide a compelling and insightful answer to the question of why you want to work there.