Apple Interview Experience | L4 | SDE 2 | Hyderabad
Summary
I interviewed for a Java Backend Engineer SDE 2 L4 role at Apple in Hyderabad. The interview process involved multiple rounds covering Java fundamentals, Spring Boot, coding, multithreading, and system design, with a strong focus on real-world problem-solving and scalability.
Full Experience
My Apple Interview Experience - Java Backend Engineer
I recently interviewed for a Java Backend Engineer role at Apple and would like to share a detailed breakdown of my experience.
Round 1: Java, Spring Boot, and Coding
Java Fundamentals
- I discussed why Java is platform-independent.
- I compared Java with platform-dependent languages and explained the reasons for the difference.
- I elaborated on the difference between ArrayList and Map.
- I addressed why a Map cannot be used for all purposes.
- I differentiated between Map and Set.
- I detailed what inheritance is, along with its types and examples.
- I explained the static keyword, its usage, and provided an example from my project.
Spring Boot Questions
- I discussed the use of Beans in Spring.
- I explained the differences between Java and Spring.
- I articulated why we use Spring.
- I provided explanations and examples for commonly used Spring Boot annotations.
Coding Questions
For each coding question, I presented two solutions and coded one when requested.
Round 2: Spring Boot, Multithreading, and System Design
Spring Boot Basics
- I discussed where Spring Boot and Node.js run.
- I identified which file is used for downloading dependencies (e.g., pom.xml for Maven).
- I mentioned other available dependency management tools besides Maven.
- I also answered additional Spring Boot questions, though I don't recall them in detail.
Multithreading Question
I was asked to implement a countdown timer.
System Design Question
I was presented with a scenario to design a robust system for a large-scale application.
Final Thoughts
The interviewers were very engaging and focused on practical, real-world problem-solving. It was clear that deep dives into Java fundamentals and Spring Boot were expected. The system design round emphasized scalability and effectively handling large-scale users.
Interview Questions (20)
Java Platform Independence
Why is Java platform-independent?
Platform Dependent Languages
Which languages are platform-dependent, and why?
ArrayList vs Map
Difference between ArrayList and Map
Limitations of Map
Why can’t we use a Map for all purposes?
Map vs Set
Difference between Map and Set
Inheritance Types and Examples
What is inheritance? Types of inheritance with examples.
Static Keyword Usage
What is the static keyword? Where do we use it? Provide an example from your project.
Spring Beans Usage
Why are Beans used in Spring?
Java vs Spring
What is the difference between Java and Spring?
Reasons to use Spring
Why do we use Spring?
Spring Boot Annotations
Explain a few commonly used @Annotations with examples.
Merge Two Sorted Arrays
Given two sorted arrays, merge them into a single sorted array.
Top K Frequent Elements
Find the K most frequent elements in a given array.
Longest Common Prefix
Find the longest common prefix string amongst an array of strings.
Maximum Trains at Station
Given n platforms and two main railway tracks (for both directions). Each train has three values: Arrival Time, Departure Time, Required Platform Number. Some trains stop at the station (require platforms), while others pass through the main tracks. Objective: Find the maximum number of trains that can be accommodated for stoppage.
Spring Boot vs Node.js Runtime
Where does Spring Boot run? Where does Node.js run?
Dependency Download File
Which file is used to download dependencies?
Other Dependency Management Tools
Other than Maven, what dependency management tools are available?
Multithreaded Countdown Timer
Given a file containing a time value in the format H:M:S, implement a countdown timer from that value to 00:00:00. The file may contain: Only H (Hours), Only M (Minutes), Only S (Seconds). Ensure the timer displays in HH:MM:SS format and updates every second.
Design a Scalable Subscription Form System
Design a robust system for 'Women Who Code' to circulate a subscription form that needs to handle access from billions of people and process subscription fees, ensuring wide-scale usage and scalability.
Preparation Tips
My preparation involved focusing on core Java fundamentals, diving deep into Spring Boot concepts, understanding multithreading principles, and practicing system design for scalable architectures. These areas were crucial for tackling the real-world problem-solving scenarios presented during the interview.