Full Stack Java Interview Questions and Answers
1. What is the difference between JDK, JRE, and JVM?
Answer:
o JDK (Java Development Kit): A software development environment used to
develop Java applications and applets. It includes the JRE and tools like javac
(compiler), jar (archiver), etc.
o JRE (Java Runtime Environment): Provides the libraries, Java Virtual
Machine (JVM), and other components to run applications written in Java.
o JVM (Java Virtual Machine): An abstract machine that enables the Java
bytecode to be executed on any device or operating system.
o Explanation: While the JDK is for developers, the JRE is for users who want
to run Java programs. JVM is the engine that runs Java bytecode.
2. What are the key features of Java?
Answer:
o Object-Oriented: Everything is represented as objects.
o Platform-Independent: Java bytecode can run on any platform with a JVM.
o Secure: Provides a secure runtime environment by avoiding explicit pointer
usage.
o Multithreaded: Supports multiple threads of execution.
o Robust: Offers exception handling and garbage collection.
o Explanation: These features make Java suitable for a wide range of
applications, from mobile apps to enterprise systems.
3. Explain the working of Spring Framework.
Answer:
o Dependency Injection (DI): Manages objects' dependencies automatically.
o Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP): Handles concerns like logging,
transaction management, etc.
o Spring Modules: Includes Spring MVC, Spring Data, Spring Boot, etc.
o Explanation: Spring simplifies Java development by providing pre-built
templates and reducing boilerplate code.
4. What is Hibernate, and how is it different from JDBC?
Answer:
o Hibernate: An ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) framework that maps Java
objects to database tables.
o JDBC: A lower-level API used to interact with databases using SQL queries.
o Differences:
Hibernate eliminates the need for SQL queries with HQL.
Supports lazy loading and caching.
Reduces boilerplate code compared to JDBC.
o Explanation: Hibernate simplifies database operations and is often preferred
in enterprise applications.
5. Explain the REST architecture.
Answer:
o Representational State Transfer (REST): A lightweight, stateless
architecture for designing web services.
o Key Constraints:
Stateless Communication: Each request from a client to server must
contain all the information the server needs.
Uniform Interface: Use standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT,
DELETE).
Cacheable: Responses must define themselves as cacheable or not.
Layered System: Client does not need to know if it is connected to an
intermediary or directly to the server.
o Explanation: REST is widely used for its simplicity and scalability in APIs.
6. What is the use of Docker in full-stack development?
Answer:
o Containerization: Packages an application and its dependencies together,
ensuring consistency across environments.
o Isolation: Each container runs in its own isolated environment.
o Scalability: Simplifies scaling applications horizontally.
o Explanation: Docker ensures that Java applications run seamlessly on any
system, avoiding environment mismatch issues.
7. Explain the microservices architecture.
Answer:
o Microservices: Breaks down an application into smaller, independently
deployable services.
o Advantages:
Better scalability.
Easier to debug and maintain.
Technology-agnostic (different services can use different
technologies).
o Explanation: Microservices enable agile development and deployment,
making them ideal for large-scale Java applications.
8. What are design patterns, and name a few commonly used ones in Java?
Answer:
o Design Patterns: Standard solutions to common software design problems.
o Commonly Used Patterns:
Singleton: Ensures a class has only one instance.
Factory: Creates objects without specifying their exact class.
Observer: Notifies multiple objects of state changes.
MVC (Model-View-Controller): Separates business logic, UI, and
control flow.
o Explanation: Using design patterns makes code reusable, scalable, and easier
to maintain.
9. What is JavaScript, and why is it essential for full-stack development?
Answer:
o JavaScript: A client-side scripting language used for creating interactive web
pages.
o Importance:
Enhances user experience with dynamic content.
Works alongside HTML and CSS for front-end development.
With Node.js, JavaScript can also be used for server-side
programming.
o Explanation: JavaScript enables full-stack developers to work seamlessly
across both the client and server sides.
10. What are the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases?
Answer:
o SQL Databases:
Structured data stored in tables.
Relational and use schemas.
Example: MySQL, PostgreSQL.
o NoSQL Databases:
Unstructured or semi-structured data stored in collections/documents.
Schema-less and more scalable.
Example: MongoDB, Cassandra.
o Explanation: SQL databases are best for structured data, while NoSQL is
suitable for handling large volumes of unstructured data.
11. What is Spring Boot, and why is it used?
Answer:
o Spring Boot: A framework built on top of Spring that simplifies the
development of Spring-based applications by providing default configurations.
o Features:
Auto-configuration: Reduces boilerplate configuration.
Embedded servers: Comes with embedded Tomcat or Jetty.
Opinionated Defaults: Provides sensible defaults for rapid
development.
o Explanation: Spring Boot is used for building microservices and simplifies
complex configurations.
12. What is the difference between GET and POST methods in HTTP?
Answer:
o GET:
Used to retrieve data from a server.
Parameters are included in the URL.
Not secure as data is visible in the URL.
o POST:
Used to send data to a server to create/update resources.
Parameters are sent in the request body.
More secure than GET.
o Explanation: GET is used for idempotent operations, while POST is used for
non-idempotent operations.
13. What is the purpose of the Java Stream API?
Answer:
o Stream API: Introduced in Java 8 for functional-style operations on
collections and streams of data.
o Features:
Lazily evaluated operations.
Support for map-reduce transformations.
Parallel stream support for improved performance.
o Explanation: The Stream API simplifies bulk operations on collections,
enhancing productivity and code clarity.
14. What is a WebSocket, and how is it different from HTTP?
Answer:
o WebSocket: A protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels
over a single TCP connection.
o Differences from HTTP:
WebSocket is stateful, while HTTP is stateless.
WebSocket allows continuous data exchange without repeated
handshakes.
o Explanation: WebSocket is ideal for real-time applications like chat, stock
updates, etc.
15. What is a Proxy Pattern in Java?
Answer:
o Proxy Pattern: A structural design pattern that provides a surrogate or
placeholder for another object to control access to it.
o Example Use Case:
Virtual Proxy: Loading heavy objects on demand.
Security Proxy: Controlling access rights.
o Explanation: Proxy patterns are used to enhance functionality without
changing the actual object.
16. What is the difference between Monolithic and Microservices Architecture?
Answer:
o Monolithic Architecture:
Single codebase for the entire application.
Hard to scale and maintain.
o Microservices Architecture:
Application is divided into smaller, independent services.
Easier to scale and deploy.
o Explanation: Microservices provide flexibility and faster development cycles,
ideal for modern applications.
17. Explain Java Reflection API.
Answer:
o Reflection API: Allows runtime access to classes, methods, and fields.
o Use Cases:
Inspecting class details at runtime.
Creating objects dynamically.
Invoking methods without knowing names at compile time.
o Explanation: Reflection is powerful but should be used sparingly due to
potential performance overhead.
18. What is the difference between Callable and Runnable in Java?
Answer:
o Runnable: Represents a task with no return value.
o Callable: Represents a task that returns a result.
o Differences: Callable can throw checked exceptions, whereas Runnable
cannot.
o Explanation: Callable is preferred when you need a task to return a computed
value.
19. What are Lambdas in Java?
Answer:
o Lambdas: Introduced in Java 8 for functional programming.
o Syntax: (parameters) -> expression.
o Example: list.forEach(item -> System.out.println(item));
o Explanation: Lambdas simplify the implementation of functional interfaces,
making code more concise.
20. What are the core features of Hibernate?
Answer:
o Object-Relational Mapping (ORM): Maps Java objects to database tables
automatically.
o HQL (Hibernate Query Language): Enables database operations using
object-oriented queries.
o Lazy Loading: Loads data only when required, improving performance.
o Caching: Supports first-level and second-level caching to optimize database
access.
o Explanation: Hibernate’s features make database interaction seamless and
efficient in Java applications.
21. What is the use of Maven in Java projects?
Answer:
o Maven: A build automation tool used for managing project dependencies,
compiling code, and generating documentation.
o Key Features:
Dependency Management: Simplifies adding external libraries.
Build Automation: Automates tasks like compiling, packaging, and
deploying.
Consistency: Ensures all developers use the same build process.
o Explanation: Maven streamlines Java project development and ensures
consistency across teams.
.)
