Top 25 Programming Interview Questions and Answers in 2024

Editorial Team

Programming Interview Questions And Answers

What is programming? Programming is the process that professionals use to write code that instructs how a computer, application, or software program performs.

Below are the Top 25 Programming Interview Questions And Answers. Also, there are samples to guide you on how you are supposed to respond to each question.

1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?

“To start with, I am a big fan of computer programming and that is what I do most of my time. I must say that I want to be part of the team that is helping your company get the best information technology programs that will aid your company to achieve its goals. And, I am a person who likes learning from others as well. I want to improve my skills too by learning and improving my skills too. I will be happy to offer my skills to you and learn from you as well. In fact, success comes from finding win-win solutions!”

2. What Are The Roles Of A Programmer?

“To my knowledge, a programmer basically plays a key role in ensuring that all systems are working appropriately. These are my roles and responsibilities.

  • Troubleshooting system errors
  • Writing computer instructions
  • Managing database systems
  • Coding and debugging
  • Editing source code
  • Profiling and analyzing algorisms
  • Designing and testing computer structures  
  • Providing tech support
  • Implementing build system

I believe that those are the key roles, and I would be happy to perform them in your institution.”

3. What Are The Qualities That A Programmer Needs To Be Successful?

“First and foremost, being patient is key for the computer programmers. The patient is the most important trait to becoming a great programmer. Secondly, a good programmer should have a high degree of creativity and problem solving since there is a lot that needs to be done in a creative way and a lot of issues that need to be solved intelligently. Lastly, a computer programmer should be a logical thinker and self-disciplined at all times.”

4. Give Us Top Six Programming Techniques That Would Come In Handy

Programming techniques would include;

  • Variables
  • Repetition or loops
  • Arrays
  • Manipulating text
  • Random numbers and scaling
  • Decision or selection

5. What Is Runtime Error And When Does It Occur?

“A runtime error is a software or hardware problem that prevents Internet Explorer from working correctly. A runtime error occurs when a program is syntactically correct but contains an issue that is only detected during program execution. These issues cannot be caught at compile-time by the Java compiler and are only detected by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) when the application is running.”

6. What Is A Logical Error And When Does It Occur?

“A logic error (or logical error) is a mistake in a program’s source code that results in incorrect or unexpected behavior. Logic errors occur when there is a fault in the logic or structure of the problem. Logic errors do not usually cause a program to crash. However, logic errors can cause a program to produce unexpected results.”

7. What Is Modeling In Programming Language?

The modeling language is any graphical or textual computer language that provisions the design and construction of structures and models following a systematic set of rules and frameworks. The modeling language is part of and similar to an artificial language.

8. Give Examples Of Modelling Languages In Programming That You Know Of

The context of modeling language is primarily textual and graphical, but based on the requirements and specific domain in use, modeling languages fall into the following four categories: 

  • System modeling language–System modeling is the process of developing abstract models of a system, with each model presenting a different view or perspective of that system.
  • Object modeling languages–An object-modeling language is a standardized set of symbols used to model a software system using an object-oriented framework.
  • Virtual reality modeling language – Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) is an open-standard programming language created to design three-dimensional (3-D) and Web-based models, textures and illusions.
  • Data modeling language – Data models provide a framework for data to be used within information systems by providing specific definitions and formats.

9. Why Is Software Testing Important?

“There are several reasons why software testing is done. These are;

  • Helps in saving money
  • Ensures quality of a product
  • Ensures security
  • Helps in satisfaction of the customers
  • Helps in enhancing the development process
  • Easy while adding new features
  • Helps in the determination of software performance.”

10. How Can One Reverse A String In Programming?

“When reversing a string, the following steps must be followed.

  • Initiate
  • Declear the string that is supposed to be reversed
  • Get to know the length of the string that is being reversed
  • Begin a loop and then swap the position of the array elements
  • Keep the exchanged positions
  • The last step is to print the reversed string.

11. How Do You Swap Two String Variables Without Using Third Or Temp Variable In Java?

“In order to swap two string variables without using any temporary or third variable, the idea is to use string concatenation and substring() methods to perform this operation. The substring() method comes in two forms, as listed below: 

  • substring(intbeginindex): This function will return the substring of the calling string starting from the index passed as an argument to this function till the last character in the calling string. 
  • substring(intbeginindex, intendindex): This function will return Substring of the calling string starting from the beginindex(inclusive) and ending at the endindex(exclusive) passed as an argument to this function.’’

12. Explain The Algorithm Development Process

  • Step 1: Obtain a description of the problem. This step is much more difficult than it appears. …
  • Step 2: Analyze the problem. …
  • Step 3: Develop a high-level algorithm. …
  • Step 4: Refine the algorithm by adding more detail. …
  • Step 5: Review the algorithm.

13. What Are The Top Types Of Programming Languages That You Know Of?

  • Procedural Programming Language
  • Functional Programming LanguageObject-oriented
  • Programming Language
  • Scripting Programming LanguageLogic Programming Language
  • C++ Language
  • C LanguagePascal Language.

14. What Are The Four Pillars Of Object-Oriented Programming

There are four pillars of object-oriented programming. These are;

  • Inheritance
  • Polymorphic
  • Encapsulation
  • Abstraction

15. What Are The Differences Between Procedural Oriented Programming And Object-Oriented Programming

These are the major differences between procedural-oriented programming and object-oriented programming.

  • In procedural programming, the program is divided into small parts called functions while In object-oriented programming, the program is divided into small parts called objects
  • Object-oriented programming have access specifiers like private, public, protected, etc and there is no access specifier in procedural programming
  • Procedural programming does not have any proper way for hiding data so it is less secure while Object-oriented programming provides data hiding so it is more secure.
  • Procedural programming is based on unreal life while object-oriented programming is based on real life.
  • Adding new data and function is not easy in procedural oriented programming while in object-oriented programming adding new data and function is easy
  • In procedural programming, the function is more important than data while in object-oriented programming, data is more important than function.

16. What Are The Functional Programming Paradigm

  • Pure functions – These functions have two main properties. Firstly, they always produce the same output for the same arguments irrespective of anything else. 
  • Recursion – There are no “for” or “while” loop in functional languages. Iteration in functional languages is implemented through recursion
  • Referential transparency – In functional programs variables once defined do not change their value throughout the program.
  • Functions are first class and can be higher-order- First-class functions are treated as a first-class variable. The first-class variables can be passed to functions as parameters, can be returned from functions, or stored in data structures.
  • Variable is immutable – In functional programming, we can’t modify a variable after it’s been initialized. We can create new variables but we can’t modify existing variables, and this really helps to maintain state throughout the runtime of a program

17. What Are The Functions Of Defined In Pthread Library

  • Pthread_create
  • Pthread_exit
  • Pthread_join
  • Pthread_self
  • Pthread_equal
  • Pthread_cancel
  • Pthread_detach

18. What Is The Difference Between Http And Ftp?

  • HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocole while FTP stands for File Transfer Protocole
  • HTTP only supports the data connection while FTP supports both data connection control connection
  • HTTP is the set of rules that how web pages are transferred on different computers over the internet while FTP is the set of rules that permit the downloading and uploading the files on the computer over the internet
  • HTTP uses Transmission Control Protocole and runs on TCP port 80 while FTP uses transmission Control Protocol and runs on TCP port 21.
  • HTTP does not require authentication while FTP requires authentication

19. Why Did You Quit Your Previous Role In The Company That You Were Working For?

“I loved working for my previous employer, but they had employed me on a contract. After the contract, I felt that it was not good for me to renew the contract. I mean, it is always good to work in different environments. I also wanted to play a role as a top programmer since, in my previous role, I was an assistant.”

20. Tell Us Your Biggest Strength

“As a programmer, I like working in teams. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. As a programmer, you may have spent the whole on computers, and still, other duties are awaiting you at the same time. It is good to have a team that can help you manage all your projects. Having a team of smart people leads to quality work. I would say that I work best in teams. That’s my strength.”

21. How Would You Build A Strong Team To Work With In Your Department?

“To have a great team to work with I would;

  • Start by setting my expectations of what is required to evaluate their capabilities
  • Hold performance reviews to pick the best
  • Maintain regular communication with all the employees to learn more about them through one on one engagement.”

22. What Is Your Biggest Fear In Your Career

“The biggest fear in my career would be having a team that will lead to poor results. I would consider this as a total failure and no one would want that. I am always focused on working with people who can bring productivity to their company. That would be my biggest fear in my career.”

23. What Should We Expect From You In The First Month?

“I am very assured that in my first year you are going to get the best strategies that I have been using earlier. I will start by testing how they work towards meeting the goals of your company and if all is well, I put them all into place.

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24. What Kind Of Environment Do You Like Working In?

“As far as the nature of this job is concerned, I have spent so much time working in a super busy environment. I have adapted to this kind of environment, and now it’s my best. I would still be interested in working in a busy environment as before because it brings motivation and morale among the employees working together. No one would love to work in an environment where other employees are idling around while you are busy doing your job. It is better to work in an environment where you see everyone else around you is as busy as you are.

25. What Do You Think Are The Major Challenges You Are Likely To Face As A Programmer In Our Company?

  • Not understanding users – Talk direct to the people dealing with the users, and test your products
  • Debugging – reproduce the errors and seek help
  • Time estimation challenges – Break down tasks and time yourself well
  • Coping up with technology – Take some time to understand new projects, and keep up with the lates trends
  • Security threats – Keep your work station secure and use parameterized querries for SQL injections

Conclusion

Programming is a challenging career but you must show your interviewer that you are capable of working them out as soon as you can. Answer the questions with confidence, straight to the point, and you will pass the interview. All the best.