Introduction

Basics of system design principles

Large-scale Systems: Q-> Describe a scenario where you were involved in the design or scaling of a large system. How did you ensure it was scalable, and what challenges did you face during the process?

Trade-offs and Decision Making: Q-> Can you explain a situation where you had to make a trade-off between system performance and development time? How did you approach the decision-making process, and what factors did you consider?

End-to-End System Understanding: Q-> Walk me through the design of a [specific system, e.g., e-commerce platform, content delivery network, real-time analytics platform]. Consider aspects like load balancing, database design, failover strategies, and user experience.

Overview of Databases

Database Design & Concepts: Q-> Can you explain the differences between SQL (Relational) and NoSQL databases? In what scenarios would you recommend one over the other?

Scalability & Performance: Q-> Describe a scenario where you had to scale a database to accommodate increased traffic or data volume. What strategies did you consider and what challenges did you face?

Transactions & ACID Properties: Q-> What are the ACID properties in databases? Can you give an example of a situation where maintaining these properties was crucial for a project you managed?

Data Integrity & Backups: Q-> How would you approach a situation where there’s a need to migrate a large amount of data from one database to another without downtime? Additionally, how would you ensure data integrity?

Database Issues & Troubleshooting: Q-> Describe a time when a project you were managing faced performance issues related to the database. How did you diagnose the problem and what solutions were implemented?

Introduction

Question: “Discuss a situation where you had to choose between a multi-cloud, hybrid cloud, or on-premises deployment strategy. What factors influenced your decision, and how did you ensure seamless operation?”

Question: “How have you utilized containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes in previous projects? What benefits did they bring, and what challenges did you face?”

Question: “Describe a challenge you’ve faced when setting up or refining a CI/CD pipeline. How did you overcome it?”

Security Essentials Overview

Question: “Describe a time when you had to handle a potential data breach or security vulnerability. How did you manage it and what steps did you take to mitigate future risks?”

Question: “Can you explain the difference between authentication and authorization? How have you implemented both in a past project?”

Question: “Discuss a time when you had to balance functionality and user experience with security in a software project. What compromises did you make, and why?”

Question: “Have you ever worked on a project that required adherence to a specific security compliance or standard (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS)? How did you ensure compliance throughout the project lifecycle?”

Introduction

Question: “Describe a time when you identified and addressed a significant performance bottleneck in a system or application. How did you discover it, and what steps did you take to resolve it?”

Question: “How would you handle a situation where an application’s user base is expected to grow tenfold in a short period? What strategies or architectural changes would you consider?”

Introduction

Question: How do you prioritize tasks or features in an Agile environment, especially when stakeholders have varying opinions and needs?

Question: Compare and contrast Scrum and Kanban. Can you provide an example of a project or scenario where one would be more suitable than the other?

Question: Describe a challenge you’ve faced when implementing Agile in a team or organization. How did you overcome it?

Question: Have you ever worked in a hybrid environment, perhaps where Agile and Waterfall were both used? How did you ensure alignment and consistency in such a setting?

Introduction

Question: Can you discuss the main differences between REST and SOAP? In what scenarios might you recommend one over the other?

Question: Describe a challenging third-party integration you’ve managed or been a part of. What were the challenges, and how did you address them?

Question: Explain the concept of API rate limiting. Why is it important, and how would you handle situations where critical services are being throttled due to rate limits?

Overview of the Importance of Testing & QA in the SDLC

Types of Testing – Knowing the Differences

Tools & Strategies for Effective QA

Describe a situation where you had to create a testing strategy for a complex project. What factors did you consider, and how did you prioritize different types of testing?

In your opinion, when is manual testing more appropriate than automated testing and vice versa? Can you provide an example from your experience where one was chosen over the other, and why?

Describe a situation where a significant defect was discovered post-release. How was it handled, what was your role, and what measures were implemented to ensure such defects are caught earlier in the future?

How do you view the role of Test-Driven Development (TDD) in the software development lifecycle? Have you ever championed its adoption in a project, and if so, what challenges did you face?