Principal Software Engineer

Oracle

Let's explore some common data structures and algorithms. I'd like you to describe the following: Arrays: Explain what an array is and how it stores data. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using arrays? Provide an example of how you would use an array in a real-world scenario. For instance, how could you use an array to store a list of student names or inventory items? Linked Lists: What is a linked list, and how does it differ from an array? Describe the different types of linked lists (singly, doubly, circular). Walk me through the process of inserting a node into a singly linked list. What are the time complexities of insertion and deletion in a linked list? Stacks and Queues: Explain the concepts of stacks and queues. What are the key differences between them? (LIFO vs FIFO). Give an example of a situation where you would prefer to use a stack over a queue, and vice versa. How could you implement a queue using two stacks? Trees: Describe what a tree data structure is. What are the different types of trees (binary tree, binary search tree, etc.)? Explain the properties of a binary search tree. How does it enable efficient searching? How would you traverse a binary tree (in-order, pre-order, post-order)? Provide examples. Sorting Algorithms: Explain the concept of sorting algorithms. Describe the following sorting algorithms: Bubble Sort, Insertion Sort, Merge Sort, and Quick Sort. What are the time complexities of each of these sorting algorithms in the best, average, and worst-case scenarios? Which sorting algorithm would you choose for a nearly sorted array, and why? Searching Algorithms: Describe the difference between linear search and binary search. When is binary search applicable, and what are its advantages? What is the time complexity of linear search and binary search? For each of these, please be prepared to discuss their real-world applications, time and space complexities, and trade-offs.

Oracle

Let's say you've developed a new feature for a high-traffic e-commerce website. The feature allows users to save items to a wishlist. You've tested it thoroughly in your development environment, and it seems to be working perfectly. Now, you need to deploy this feature to the production environment, where thousands of users will interact with it simultaneously. Describe the steps you would take to safely and successfully deploy this feature to production.** What are the key considerations you'd keep in mind during each stage of the deployment process?** How would you monitor the feature's performance and identify potential issues after deployment?** What rollback strategies would you have in place if something goes wrong during or after the deployment?** For instance, would you use a blue-green deployment, canary release, or some other strategy? How would you handle database migrations, caching, and potential security vulnerabilities? What metrics would you track to ensure the feature is performing as expected and not negatively impacting the overall site performance? What tools would you use for monitoring and alerting? Finally, how would you communicate the deployment progress and any issues to stakeholders?

Oracle

Let's discuss your strengths and weaknesses. Could you provide specific examples that highlight both your key strengths and areas where you are actively working to improve? Think about situations where your strengths significantly contributed to a positive outcome, and conversely, instances where your weaknesses presented a challenge. For instance, perhaps you excel at quickly learning new technologies, as demonstrated by your successful implementation of a novel machine learning algorithm for a recent project, resulting in a 15% performance improvement. On the other hand, you might find public speaking challenging, and you are addressing this by joining a Toastmasters club and practicing presentations regularly. Providing concrete examples like these will give me a better understanding of your capabilities and your commitment to continuous self-improvement.