Top 50 Technical Interview Questions for Freshers (With Sample Answers)
For freshers, the technical interview is often the most challenging part of the recruitment process. It tests your knowledge of programming, databases, operating systems, and problem-solving skills.
Here’s a complete list of the Top 50 most asked technical interview questions with sample answers to help you prepare.
1. What is the difference between C and C++?
Sample Answer: C is a procedural programming language, whereas C++ supports both procedural and object-oriented programming.
2. What is an object in OOP?
An object is an instance of a class containing attributes (data) and methods (functions).
3. Explain polymorphism with an example.
Polymorphism allows a single interface to represent different types. Example: Function overloading in C++.
4. What is inheritance?
A mechanism where one class acquires the properties and methods of another class.
5. Difference between TCP and UDP?
TCP is connection-oriented and reliable; UDP is connectionless and faster but less reliable.
6. What is a primary key in a database?
A unique identifier for each record in a table.
7. Explain foreign key.
A foreign key links two tables by referencing the primary key of another table.
8. What is normalization in DBMS?
The process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve integrity.
9. Difference between DELETE, TRUNCATE, and DROP in SQL?
DELETE removes rows; TRUNCATE removes all rows quickly; DROP deletes the table structure.
10. Explain joins in SQL.
Joins combine rows from two or more tables based on related columns (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL).
11. What is multithreading?
The ability of a CPU to execute multiple threads concurrently.
12. Difference between process and thread?
A process is an independent program; a thread is a smaller unit within a process.
13. What is deadlock?
A state where two or more processes wait indefinitely for resources held by each other.
14. Explain stack vs queue.
Stack follows LIFO (Last In First Out); Queue follows FIFO (First In First Out).
15. What is a linked list?
A data structure where elements are stored in nodes linked using pointers.
16. What is a constructor?
A special method that initializes objects of a class.
17. What is method overloading?
Defining multiple methods with the same name but different parameters.
18. What is method overriding?
Redefining a parent class method in a child class.
19. Difference between abstract class and interface?
Abstract class can have abstract and concrete methods; interface has only abstract methods (in older Java versions).
20. What is encapsulation?
The practice of hiding internal details and exposing only necessary functionality.
21. What is SDLC?
Software Development Life Cycle — phases from requirement gathering to deployment.
22. Explain Agile methodology.
An iterative approach to software development emphasizing collaboration and flexibility.
23. What is version control?
A system for tracking changes in code (e.g., Git).
24. What is REST API?
An API that follows REST architectural principles for communication over HTTP.
25. Difference between GET and POST methods in HTTP?
GET requests data; POST sends data to the server.
26. What is recursion?
When a function calls itself to solve a problem.
27. Explain big-O notation.
A way to express the time complexity of an algorithm.
28. What is hashing?
A technique to convert input data into a fixed-size value (hash code).
29. What is an array?
A collection of elements stored in contiguous memory locations.
30. Difference between array and linked list?
Array has fixed size and direct indexing; linked list is dynamic but needs sequential access.
31. What is exception handling?
A process to handle runtime errors without crashing the program.
32. What is try-catch in Java?
A block to handle exceptions — try contains risky code, catch handles errors.
33. Difference between checked and unchecked exceptions?
Checked exceptions are verified at compile time; unchecked at runtime.
34. What is garbage collection in Java?
Automatic memory management that deletes unused objects.
35. What is final keyword in Java?
Used for constants, preventing method overriding, and inheritance.
36. What is an IP address?
A unique identifier for a device on a network.
37. Difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses; IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses.
38. What is DNS?
Domain Name System — translates domain names to IP addresses.
39. What is cloud computing?
Delivering computing services over the internet.
40. Examples of cloud service models?
IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
41. What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence — simulating human intelligence in machines.
42. What is machine learning?
A subset of AI where systems learn from data.
43. Difference between supervised and unsupervised learning?
Supervised uses labeled data; unsupervised uses unlabeled data.
44. What is overfitting in ML?
When a model performs well on training data but poorly on new data.
45. What is a neural network?
A set of algorithms designed to recognize patterns in data.
46. What is responsive web design?
Designing websites to adapt to different screen sizes.
47. Difference between HTML and HTML5?
HTML5 supports new elements like <video> and <canvas>, and better APIs.
48. What is CSS Flexbox?
A layout model that arranges elements in flexible containers.
49. What is JavaScript closure?
A function that retains access to its outer scope variables even after the outer function has executed.
50. Difference between synchronous and asynchronous programming?
Synchronous runs tasks sequentially; asynchronous allows multiple tasks to proceed without waiting.
Conclusion
Mastering these technical interview questions will give you confidence and a competitive edge in your placement or job search journey. Practice regularly, understand concepts deeply, and prepare to explain your answers clearly.
Keywords: Technical Interview Questions for Freshers, Freshers Interview Preparation, Top IT Interview Questions, Sample Technical Answers