Software Developer Interview Questions with Answers

Are you curious about what it takes to become a software developer? These are the people who build apps, games, websites, and more. But before they can start working at a tech company, they have to go through an interview—just like teachers, doctors, and many other jobs.

In a software developer interview, the company asks questions to find out if the person has the right skills, knows how to solve problems, and works well with others. In this article, we’ll go over 100 common questions and simple answers to help you understand what the process is like.

General Questions

Why do you want to be a software developer?
I enjoy solving problems and creating programs that can help people.
What programming languages do you know?
I know Python, JavaScript, and a bit of Java.
Can you describe a project you’ve worked on?
I made a simple calculator app using Python that can add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers.
How do you keep your coding skills sharp?
I practice coding challenges online and build small projects in my free time.
What is your favorite programming language and why?
I like Python because it’s easy to read and write.
How do you approach learning a new technology?
I start by reading tutorials, then try building a small project to apply what I’ve learned.
What is object-oriented programming?
It’s a way of programming where we use “objects” to represent data and functions.
Can you explain the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?
A compiler translates the whole program at once, while an interpreter translates it line by line.
What is a variable in programming?
It’s a place to store data, like a box that holds information.
What are loops in programming?
Loops let us repeat actions multiple times without writing the same code again.

Technical Questions

What is a function in programming?
A function is a set of instructions that performs a specific task.
Can you explain what an array is?
An array is a list that can hold multiple items, like numbers or words.
What is a conditional statement?
It’s a way to make decisions in code, like “if this happens, do that.”
What is a bug in programming?
A bug is a mistake in the code that causes it to work incorrectly.
How do you debug your code?
I check my code step by step to find and fix errors.
What is a loop, and can you name different types?
A loop repeats code. Common types are “for” loops and “while” loops.
What is a string in programming?
A string is a sequence of characters, like words or sentences.
What does ‘syntax’ mean in coding?
Syntax is the set of rules that defines how to write code correctly.
What is a comment in code?
Comments are notes in the code that explain what parts of the code do.
What is an IDE?
An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a tool that helps you write and test code.

Coding Questions

Write a function to add two numbers.

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

Write a loop that prints numbers 1 to 5.

for i in range(1, 6):
    print(i)

How do you check if a number is even?
If the number divided by 2 has no remainder, it’s even.
Write a function to find the largest number in a list.

def find_max(numbers):
    return max(numbers)

How do you reverse a string in Python?

def reverse_string(s):
    return s[::-1]

Write a function to check if a word is a palindrome.

def is_palindrome(word):
    return word == word[::-1]

How do you sort a list of numbers?
Use the sort() function in Python.
Write a function to calculate the factorial of a number.

def factorial(n):
    if n == 0:
        return 1
    else:
        return n * factorial(n-1)

How do you handle errors in Python?
Use try and except blocks to catch and handle errors.
Write a function to count the number of vowels in a string.

def count_vowels(s):
    count = 0
    for char in s:
        if char.lower() in 'aeiou':
            count += 1
    return count

System Design Questions

What is a database?
A database is a place to store and organize data.
What is a server?
A server is a computer that provides data to other computers.
What is an API?
An API (Application Programming Interface) allows different programs to communicate with each other.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing means storing and accessing data over the internet instead of your computer’s hard drive.
What is scalability in system design?
Scalability is the ability of a system to handle more work as it grows.
What is load balancing?
Load balancing distributes work across multiple servers to ensure no single server is overwhelmed.
What is caching?
Caching stores data temporarily to make future access faster.
What is latency?
Latency is the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction.
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time.
What is a CDN?
A CDN (Content Delivery Network) delivers content to users based on their geographic location to improve speed.

Behavioral Questions

Describe a time you solved a difficult problem.
I was building a game and faced a bug that caused it to crash. I reviewed my code, found the error, and fixed it.
How do you handle tight deadlines?
I prioritize tasks, focus on the most important ones, and manage my time effectively.
Have you ever worked in a team?
Yes, I worked with classmates on a project where we built a website together.
How do you handle feedback?
I listen carefully, thank the person, and use it to improve my work.
What motivates you?
Learning new things and solving challenging problems motivate me.
Describe a time you failed and what you learned.
I once deleted important code by mistake. I learned to always back up my work.
How do you stay organized?
I use to-do lists and set reminders to keep track of tasks.
What are your strengths?
I’m good at problem-solving and pay attention to details.
What are your weaknesses?
Sometimes I spend too much time perfecting small details.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself working as a software developer, building useful applications.

General Questions

Technical Questions

Coding Questions

System Design Questions

Behavioral Questions

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