5 Tricky Questions on the Java Developer Interview

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Java development is a complex and ever-changing field, and Java developer interviews can be challenging. While there are many resources available to help you prepare, some interviewers may ask tricky questions that are not only designed to probe your knowledge of Java your ability to solve algorithmic tasks, or your understanding of data structures but also your confidence and ability to think out of the box.

This article will explore some of the most unexpected Java interview questions and answers.

So, let’s dive in and see if any of those will catch you on the spot! By the end of this article, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the quest of a Java developer interview.

Spring annotations @Component and @Service

Let’s start with my favourite question about the Spring Framework:

What is the difference between the @Component and @Service annotations?

You probably know that both mark a class as a Spring bean. And rest assured, there is no difference at all. The @Service annotation was created for the sake of readability to mark the class as a part of the service layer, and that's it. You may know this, but when asked in an interview, you may start doubting, especially when the question is phrased like this. So, this question tests your knowledge of the Spring Framework and your confidence in your knowledge. Don't start doubting. Tell the interviewer everything you know about the topic.

What is your favourite algorithm/pattern?

This question may sound weird, but it’s an excellent way for the interviewer to learn about your knowledge and expertise. Generally, the interviewer wants you to discuss what you know the best.

So, like on any other exam, speak about what you are, not about things you like. If you know the bubble sort algorithm's logic and O(n), name it! The same goes for patterns. Are you an expert in the singleton pattern? Do you use MVC a lot? Have you recently implemented CQRS? Go for the things you know the most about!