Common Coding Interview Questions and Answers

on November 02, 2020 · 5 mins read

What to Expect from a Coding Interview

When it comes to coding interviews, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. You’re being asked to demonstrate your coding skills and knowledge in a high-pressure situation, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But with a little preparation and practice, you can be ready to ace any coding interview.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common coding interview questions and provide some tips on how to answer them. We’ll also discuss some of the most important things to keep in mind when you’re preparing for a coding interview.

What Are Coding Interviews?

Coding interviews are a type of job interview used to assess a candidate’s coding skills. They’re typically conducted by software engineering teams and are designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to solve coding problems and think critically.

During a coding interview, the interviewer will ask the candidate to solve a coding problem or write a program. The interviewer will then ask the candidate to explain their solution and discuss the trade-offs of different approaches.

Common Coding Interview Questions

Coding interviews can vary significantly depending on the company and the position you’re applying for. However, there are some common coding interview questions that you should be prepared to answer. Here are some of the most common coding interview questions:

1. What is the Big O notation?

The Big O notation is a way of describing the complexity of an algorithm. It’s used to measure the time and space complexity of an algorithm, which is the amount of time and memory it takes to execute. The Big O notation is expressed as a function of the input size.

For example, an algorithm with a time complexity of O(n) means that it will take n operations to complete the algorithm. An algorithm with a time complexity of O(n2) means that it will take n2 operations to complete the algorithm.

2. What is a Hash Table?

A hash table is a data structure used to store key-value pairs. It’s a type of associative array, which means that it stores data in an unordered manner. A hash table uses a hash function to generate a unique key for each value, which allows for fast lookups and insertions.

3. What is a Binary Search Tree?

A binary search tree is a data structure used to store data in a sorted manner. It’s a type of self-balancing tree, which means that it maintains its balance as data is added or removed. A binary search tree is composed of nodes, which contain a value and two pointers to other nodes.

4. What is the difference between a stack and a queue?

A stack is a data structure used to store data in a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) manner. This means that the last item added to the stack is the first item to be removed. A queue is a data structure used to store data in a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) manner. This means that the first item added to the queue is the first item to be removed.

5. What is a linked list?

A linked list is a data structure used to store data in a linear fashion. It’s composed of nodes, which contain a value and a pointer to the next node in the list. Linked lists are often used to implement stacks and queues.

Tips for Answering Coding Interview Questions

When you’re preparing for a coding interview, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Here are some tips for answering coding interview questions:

  • Be prepared. Make sure you’ve done your research and are familiar with the topics that are likely to be covered in the interview.

  • Be organized. Make sure you have a clear structure for your answers and that you’re able to explain your thought process.

  • Be confident. Don’t be afraid to take your time and think through the problem. It’s better to take your time and get the answer right than to rush and get it wrong.

  • Be honest. Don’t be afraid to admit if you don’t know the answer to a question. It’s better to be honest than to try to bluff your way through an answer.

Conclusion

Coding interviews can be intimidating, but with a little preparation and practice, you can be ready to ace any coding interview. Be sure to brush up on the topics that are likely to be covered in the interview, and practice answering common coding interview questions. With a little preparation, you’ll be ready to impress any interviewer.