Top 20 Software Engineering Interview Questions With Answers

In our previous blogs, we have talked about the most common interview questions asked in an interview. The questions can be as simple as ‘Tell me about yourself’ or ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?”

And as simple as these common interview questions are, they can still be difficult to answer due to nervousness and stress. 

Now, what happens when they ask you questions, answers to which are technical in nature? Will they be easier to answer because you’re an expert in that particular subject or will you be unable to answer the question because you’re caught off guard because of your nerves? 

The best way to avoid such situations is to prepare and practice. Here, we are going to share some of the commonly asked questions in Software Engineering interviews. If you are a Software Engineer, we hope this blog helps you face your interviewer with confidence. 

Software engineer interview questions and answers

What is Software Engineering?

Ans: Software Engineering can be defined as a process in which one analyses user requirements followed by designing, building and testing software applications to fulfill those requirements. 

What is Computer Software?

Ans: A computer software is an agglomeration of programs, instructions and documentations that tells the computer how to work. 

What is the difference between Computer Software and Computer Program?

Ans: As mentioned earlier, a computer software is an agglomeration of programs, instructions and documentations that tells the computer how to work. Computer programs, on the other hand, can be executed by a computer to perform a specific task.

What is SDLC?

Ans: Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), also known as software process is the framework used by software organizations to design, develop and test high quality software’s. SDLC gives organizations a systematic approach to develop successful software’s. 

Name some SDLC Models

Ans:  The most common SDLC models used are V-shaped model, Waterfall model, Iterative model, Spiral model, Big Bang model, and Agile model.

Define Software Project Management

Ans: The process of planning, leading & managing software projects. It is a subcategory of Project Management in which software projects are planned, executed & managed by software managers. 

What programming languages do you use?

Ans: This is where you talk about the programming languages you use.  If you are too nervous, just simply say the name of the programming languages without going into much details about them. 

What is JavaScript?

Ans: It is one of the most common programming languages used to develop and control dynamic website content. 

What is a Stack?

Ans: It is an Abstract Data Type (ADT)  with two fundamental operations namely push and pop. While push adds an element to the collection, pop erases recently added elements that were not yet removed. 

What is HTML5?

Ans: It is the latest Hypertext Markup Language version used to structure and present content on the World Wide Web. 

What elements should be considered in the System Model Construction?

Ans: There are five main elements to be taken into consideration. They are assumption, preference, constraints, simplification and limitation.

What is a Software Framework?

Ans: It is a platform for developing software applications. It gives software developers a foundation where they can build programs for a specific requirement.

What are the different types of Software?

Ans: The four main types of software are Application Software, System Software, Programming Software and Driver Software. 

What is a Functional Point?

Ans: Functional Point (PF) is a unit of measurement. Its role is to calculate functional size measurement of software.

What is Software Configuration Management?

Ans: Software configuration management is the process wherein changes in software are tracked and controlled. The practice comprises revision control and the establishment of baselines.

What is the difference between Functional and Non-Functional requirements

Ans: While functional requirements are used to indicate the functional features based on business requirements, non- functional requirements show the performance, security, user interface, etc. 

What is Cohesion?

Ans: Cohesion is a measure on how firmly the elements are related functionally inside a module.

What would you do if a coworker asked you to review their code, and it was full of errors?

Ans: I would be more than happy to help them. I would not want my co-worker to be singled out by the boss or clients. So, I would tell them, politely and professionally and let them know that I am available should they need any help. I would focus only on making the code better and not further comment on why the errors occur.  

Tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem, but you didn’t have all the necessary information about it in hand.

Ans: Well should such an incident occur, I would ask for help. I believe in team-work and I would rather seek help and assistance rather than butchering the project without all the necessary information about it in hand.

What are CASE Tools?

Ans: Computer-aided software engineering are tools that help in supporting, accelerating and smoothening the SDLC activities. They are a collection of automated software application programs. 

We hope the above-mentioned questions on software engineering with their suggested answers help you ace your upcoming interview.