Q1
Design a REST API for an e-commerce platform that handles product listings, user orders, and inventory management. Walk us through your approach to database schema, caching strategy, and how you'd handle concurrent requests during high traffic periods.
Why they ask this:* Assesses ability to design scalable systems, understand database optimization, caching layers, and concurrency handling—core skills for backend engineers at mid-level.
Q2
Explain the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases, and describe a scenario where you would choose one over the other. What trade-offs would you consider?
Why they ask this:* Tests knowledge of fundamental data storage concepts and the judgment to select appropriate technologies based on use case requirements.
Q3
You have a microservices architecture with multiple services communicating via REST APIs. How would you implement and handle service-to-service authentication and authorization?
Why they ask this:* Evaluates understanding of modern backend architecture patterns, security best practices, and complexity of distributed systems.
Q4
Write or explain the logic for a function that detects and removes duplicate records from a large dataset efficiently. What data structures and algorithms would you use?