Application Engineer, Salesforce

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Let's explore some fundamental algorithms. Suppose you're given an unsorted array of integers. Describe how you would implement the following sorting algorithms: Bubble Sort Insertion Sort Merge Sort Quick Sort For each algorithm, explain: The basic principle behind the algorithm. The time complexity in the best, average, and worst-case scenarios. The space complexity. Whether the algorithm is stable or unstable. Provide example code snippets (in any language you prefer, but indicate which language you are using) demonstrating the core logic of each algorithm. Focus on clarity and conciseness in your code. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each sorting algorithm. When would you choose one algorithm over another, and why? For example, consider a scenario where you have a nearly sorted array. Which algorithm would perform best, and why? Imagine you're working with a very large dataset that doesn't fit into memory. Which sorting algorithm(s) could you adapt to handle this situation, and how would you do it? (Hint: Think about external sorting techniques). To illustrate, consider an array [5, 1, 4, 2, 8]. Show how each of the listed algorithms would sort this array step by step.

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Let's design a database for a library. Consider the following requirements: Books: The library has a collection of books. Each book has a title, an author (or authors), a publication year, an ISBN, and a genre. A book can have multiple authors. Members: The library has members who can borrow books. Each member has a unique member ID, a name, an address, and a phone number. Borrowing: The library needs to keep track of which books are borrowed by which members and when they are borrowed and returned. A member can borrow multiple books, and a book can be borrowed by multiple members over time. Reservations: Members can reserve books that are currently checked out. The system needs to keep track of reservations and their order. Late Fees: The library charges late fees for overdue books. The system needs to calculate and track these fees. Based on these requirements, design a relational database schema. Include the tables, columns, data types, primary keys, and foreign keys. Provide a brief explanation for each table and the relationships between them. How would you handle the many-to-many relationship between books and authors? How would you handle the many-to-many relationship between members and borrowed books? How would you ensure data integrity, such as preventing a member from borrowing the same book twice at the same time?

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Describe a time you had to work in an ambiguous environment. What was the situation, what actions did you take, and what was the result? Be specific and provide details about the ambiguity you faced. For example: Lack of Clear Requirements: Describe a project where the initial requirements were poorly defined or constantly changing. How did you navigate the uncertainty and ensure the project moved forward? Conflicting Information: Share an experience where you received conflicting information from different stakeholders. How did you reconcile these discrepancies and make informed decisions? Unclear Goals: Tell me about a time when the overall goals of a project or task were not well-defined. How did you work to clarify the objectives and achieve a successful outcome? Limited Resources: Describe a situation where you had to work with limited resources (time, budget, personnel). How did you prioritize your efforts and make the most of what you had available? New Technology or Domain: Share an experience where you had to work with a new technology or in a domain where you had limited prior experience. How did you quickly learn and adapt to the unfamiliar environment?