25 Computer Science Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Computer Science interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 15 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. What has been the biggest mistake you have made when delegating work? The biggest success?
How to Answer
Delegation is a key skill any worker needs to possess. It is even more important for managers and supervisors. Talking about what you've learned from your mistakes and successes while delegating a task will demonstrate your growth potential. When discussing a mistake, make sure you talk about what you learned from it and what you will avoid doing in the future.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"My biggest success when delegating work was assigning an inexperienced coder the job of creating code for a complex task. I knew this was a stretch for them, but I also knew that it would help them develop new skills if they were successful. I assigned one of the more experienced coders to work with them. The individual was able to complete the task and learn some new coding skills along the way. Ironically, a similar situation was my biggest failure. I tried to do the same thing with another new coder, and they could not complete the code. The difference between these two situations was that I did not assign a mentor, so the individual had to work on their own in the latter. Not only did they fail in developing the code, but they became discouraged and quickly left the company for another job. What I learned from this was that I need to make sure my staff have a coach or manager who can help them be successful when I assign stretch goals to them."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
2. What is a process and a thread, and how are they used in your profession?
How to Answer
This technical question asks you to define and compare two very similar terms. Knowing the answer to questions like this will demonstrate your qualifications as a computer scientist. It is highly recommended that you review the terms, technologies, concepts, and processes used in your job before attending an interview. Interviewers are likely to ask about all of these.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"A process and a thread are very similar in concept. In the execution of a program, both define the sequences and code a program executes. The difference between a process and a thread is that a thread is a segment of a process. Processes can have several different threads which define how the program executes. Another difference is that processes will take longer to terminate than individual threads. Finally, threads can share memory while processes can't."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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3. What are the most popular operating systems, and how experienced are you at working with them?
How to Answer
Even though you may only use one computer operating system in your work as a computer scientist, you should be familiar with all of the operating systems available in the industry. This will demonstrate your adaptability and your ability to move between operating systems as required. Organizations will continually adopt new technologies that better meet their computing needs. These can include new processers, operating systems, and programming languages. Being able to switch between these will increase your value as a computer scientist and help you advance your career in the field.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"The most popular operating systems in today's IT industry include Microsoft Windows, OSX, and Linux. I've worked with each of these in previous positions and am very familiar with all of them. I also know how to recompile code so that it can work with the different operating systems. I've done a lot of work adapting internal programs in order for them to have a similar look and feel despite the individual operating systems' nuances. I have also created reactive applications that work on both desktop and laptop computers and that also adapt to the interfaces of mobile devices."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
4. Describe what a chipset is.
How to Answer
Throughout an interview for a position in the field of computer science, you will be asked a great many technical questions. Remember that technical questions ask you to define a term, process, or concept and discuss how it is used in your work. Technical questions can range from very basic to extremely difficult. Typically, an interviewer will start with basic questions that are easy to answer. As the interview progresses, the subjects of the questions will become more difficult and specific. Continue to answer the questions briefly and to the point.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"The chipset is a collection of integrated circuits used to help the computer communicate with its various components. Chipsets are individual processers that perform specific functions. These include the CPU, a graphics chip, memory, and other chips that control other devices that interface with a computer. Chipsets can control items such as keyboards and mice, USB drives, and audio input and output devices."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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5. What is an interface in the context of its use in Java?
How to Answer
The terminology used in the computer science profession can have different meanings depending on the context i which it is used. This question is an example of this. In normal computer language, interface is the connection between the computer hardware and the operator. However, this question asks you to define interface as it is used within the context of a programming language. Knowing these nuances and answering the question appropriately will help demonstrate your qualifications for this position.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"Within the context of Java, interface is a reference type. This is similar to classes that are used in other programming languages. However, the one difference is that within Java, interface also includes abstract methods."
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6. What are the most commonly used processors in modern computers?
How to Answer
Employers expect job candidates to be up-to-date on current trends in technology used in the computer science profession. You should be able to name the current processors used as well as the latest versions of operating systems, popular software applications, and other technology that has been recently released from manufacturers. Research the company or organization prior to your interview to determine what technology they use. When providing examples of current technology, you should reference the same technology you discovered in your research.
Written by William Swansen on November 4th, 2020
Answer Example
"The most popular processors in use in today's computers are from Intel and AMD. The latest releases from Intel include the Core i5, the Core i7, and the Core i9. AMD's most recent processors are the Ryzen 5 and 7."
Written by William Swansen on November 4th, 2020
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7. What are the differences between primary and secondary memory?
How to Answer
This technical question is meant to determine your knowledge of the subject and how you use it to perform your job. The best way to prepare for an interview as a computer scientist is to thoroughly understand your profession's technical terms. You should be able to identify, define, and talk about how these items are used. Describing unique uses and innovative ways to employ the concepts will distinguish you from other candidates.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"Primary memory is the main memory used by the CPU in a computer. It consists of ROM and RAM and is stored on integrated circuit chips. Secondary memory refers to storage that is external to the computer's motherboard. Examples of secondary memory include hard drives, DVDs, USB memory sticks, and other devices where memory is stored externally and can be removed from the computer if necessary."
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8. What is multiple inheritance? Can you discuss its advantages and disadvantages?
How to Answer
This is a challenging and complex technical question. As the interview progresses, the questions will become more difficult and detailed. This indicates that the hiring manager is gaining confidence in your qualifications and is willing to explore your background in more depth. Continue to answer these questions just as you did the easier ones, briefly and to the point. Also, anticipate follow-up questions.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"Multiple inheritances refer to classes. Specifically, a situation where one of the classes inherits arguments from multiple super-classes. The advantage is that this type of class can inherit more than one class's functionality and, therefore, can be more flexible. The disadvantage is that using more than one super-class may create arguments that conflict with each other due to them both using the same descriptors."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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9. Please describe the difference between C and C++ and in which language you prefer to code.
How to Answer
This is a hybrid technical and operational question. It starts by asking you to discuss two types of programming languages and then asks which one you use in your work. Interviewers can create any type of question they want to while attempting to collect the information they need to make a hiring decision. There are no hard and fast rules for interview questions. However, identifying the types of questions will help you understand what the interviewer is seeking to learn and how you can format your response to their question.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"C is based on a very structured programming protocol, while C++ is an object-oriented programming language. Since C++ is easier to use and more flexible, I prefer programming in this language. Fortunately, code written in C can be recompiled to work with C++ programs."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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10. Please discuss default constructors and conversion constructors.
How to Answer
This is a technical question which requires that you talk about two tools used in your profession. Technical questions are best answered directly and succinctly. You should be prepared for follow-up questions. The best way to prepare for an interview that involves technical questions is to review the terms, processes, and operations used in your profession before the interview. It is also good to research the company to understand the technology that it uses to be prepared to answer questions about it.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"A default constructor will either have no arguments or, if it does have arguments, they will be the default values. On the other hand, a conversion constructor can accept an argument that is different from the default. It uses the argument to create conversion rules for a class."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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11. Can you describe what a class and a super-class are and how they differ?
How to Answer
This is a technical question. Technical questions ask you to define a term and then describe how you use it in this job. Like operational questions, technical questions are best answered briefly and directly. You should anticipate follow-up questions when providing your answer.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"A class is used to define the characteristics of an object used in programming. A class will inherit the state and behavior from all its ancestors, which are the classes that preceded it. A super-class refers to the class's direct ancestor or the class that just preceded it as well as all the classes that follow it."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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12. What programming languages do you prefer to work with? Why?
How to Answer
This is an example of an operational question. Operational questions help the interviewer understand how you go about doing your job. While interviewing for a role as a computer scientist, you can expect a wide range of question types, including behavioral, situational, technical, and operational. Operational questions are best answered briefly and directly. The interviewer will ask you a follow-up question if they need additional information.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"While I am adept at several different programming languages, the one I prefer the most is Python. This is because it's easy to learn and has a great many libraries I can leverage. This helps to reduce the time it takes to code and enables me to be more creative and efficient."
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13. What do you do when your schedule is suddenly interrupted? Give an example.
How to Answer
No one likes to be interrupted when they are working, but it happens. The key is managing the interruptions and succeeding in staying on task in order to complete your work on time. Since the question asks for a specific example, you should have a story prepared and integrate it into your answer to this question.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"While I don't like interruptions, I do know they happen. My strategy is to pause my work and manage the interruption as effectively and efficiently as possible. If I can't resolve the issue immediately, I commit to doing it later so I can get back to my immediate task. A good example of this was when I was writing a piece of code that demanded a great deal of concentration. I was interrupted several times an hour by my team to help resolve minor, unimportant issues. I pulled the team together, let them know that I needed to focus for at least four hours and that I would address their concerns after that. I also assigned one of my supervisors to be their point of contact for any concerns that couldn't wait."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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14. Why do you want to work for our software company?
How to Answer
This is a typical question you will likely receive early in the interview. By the time you've been invited to the interview, the organization has already verified your qualifications for the position. The interview is meant to confirm these qualifications and discover how well you will fit into their company. Organizations prefer people who are passionate about both the work they do and the companies for which they work. Your answer to this should support both of these.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"When searching for opportunities where I could apply my computer science background, your company kept rising to the top of the list. I admire the work you do and your leadership in this industry. I have spoken to several current and former employees. They are very enthusiastic about the work environment, the flexibility they have to explore new ideas, and the collaborative and diverse work culture your organization promotes. I would be honored to become part of your company and to contribute to your ongoing success."
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15. What would your goals be as a computer scientist working for our company?
How to Answer
Hiring managers are looking for candidates who are both qualified for the job and willing to take initiative. When preparing for an interview, you should understand the company's business objectives and challenges. You should then formulate a plan to resolve these and be ready to discuss it during the interview. The interviewer will not fault you if your plan is not perfect or even something they are thinking about. The point is to have a plan and be able to communicate it effectively.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"Based on the research I've done, I noted that your company has been challenged with a shrinking customer base and lower demand for your products. One reason behind this is that you may not have a clear understanding of your customer preferences or the type of products they are planning to purchase. If hired as a computer scientist, I propose a revamping of your customer resource management system so that your salesforce can effectively interface with the customers. They could recommend new products that would align with the customer's needs, discover opportunities for product upgrades, and recommend products related to those they had already purchased. This would help you with customer retention as well as increase your revenues."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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16. Tell me about something you are proud of regarding creating a new function or model in your coding.
How to Answer
This question is asking you to brag about something. Most people are very humble and find it difficult to promote themselves or talk about their significant achievements. You need to overcome this tendency during an interview. There's nobody else in the room who will speak on your behalf, so you have to do it. When answering this question, you should identify a function or model in the coding that aligns with the role for which you are interviewing. The research you conduct before the interview will help you accomplish this.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"The function I am most proud of in my coding is a voice recognition module in a network management dashboard. It allows the systems administrators to make requests for information in the dashboard hands-free. This comes in handy when they are away from the computer terminal or are actively working on the network and have tools or measuring equipment in their hands."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
17. Have you come across a problem that you could not solve? How did you handle the problem?
How to Answer
Your initial reaction to this question might be to state that you have never come across a problem you couldn't solve. However, this would make you unbelievably unique. Everyone has encountered a situation they couldn't resolve, at least by themselves. Being able to describe a problem, including how you came to solve it, will demonstrate humility, honesty, and innovation. This is the type of question you should anticipate, so have an example ready.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"It is rare, but I do occasionally come across a problem that I can't solve by myself. A good example of this was a recent project in which we were updating our network infrastructure. One router within the network wasn't responding, and my team and I could not identify it. We sought assistance from the network support team that had an analytics tool we were not familiar with. In a matter of minutes, they had identified and repaired the misbehaving router. When I encounter difficult situations, I don't hesitate to seek outside assistance from people who are better qualified to handle a specific issue than I am."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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18. Who has been the greatest influence on you thus far in your career as a computer scientist?
How to Answer
This is a general question an interviewer might ask to better understand you as a person. In addition to being qualified for the job, they are interested in whether you will fit into their organization and contribute to its culture. Identifying who has had a great influence on you tells a lot about you and gives them insight into your background as a computer scientist.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"The person who has had the greatest influence on me thus far is Elon Musk. I admire his innovative thinking and the way that he can inspire others to achieve their best. His outlandish ideas make sense once he describes why he thinks they can be achieved and what it will take to accomplish them. I try to apply his philosophy and innovative thinking in my work."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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19. How do you stay current on new programming updates and techniques?
How to Answer
The computer industry moves at a rapid pace. Updates occur daily, and staying on top of them is a real challenge. You should have a specific plan to keep yourself abreast of any changes in the market and be able to describe this to the interviewer.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"One of the things I pride myself on is being current on the developments occurring in the programming space. I do this by taking time out of my day to read industry publications and follow the most popular bloggers. I also attend regular seminars, user group meetings, and other industry events, and I go to national conventions at least twice a year. Additionally, I spend a lot of time with hardware and software vendors as well as my peers in the industry, discussing what is new on the market."
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20. Tell me about a time when you did something completely different from the plan. Why did you go that route?
How to Answer
This is a behavioral question. Behavioral questions ask you to tell a story about an incident in the past and how you reacted. Interviewers will ask behavioral questions to gauge how you will react to similar situations in the future. Behavioral questions are best answered using the STAR framework. You state the Situation, describe the Task you had to complete, talk about the Actions you took, and then discuss the Results you achieved.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"In my last job, I was asked to help design and implement a new customer resource management system. Management recommended we work with the premier vendor in this space and expected us to complete the project within three weeks. I was aware of a new product that had come to the market and took a chance with it. We were able to design and implement the CRM within two weeks, and the features and performance exceeded the specifications with which we were originally working. Management initially reacted negatively when I had not selecting their vendor. However, after viewing the system and seeing it perform, they were happy with the results."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
21. Tell me about a situation in which attention to detail was particularly important when accomplishing an assigned task.
How to Answer
Attention to detail is important in any job, but especially in the role of a computer scientist. Missing important details could result in software not functioning properly or processes not producing the intended results. This is in the form of a behavioral question, so you should use the STAR framework when you respond. Keep your answer positive, demonstrate the results of paying attention to the details, and emphasize the outcome.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"One of the skills I've developed while preparing for this role is paying attention to details. During a recent project, this came in handy. We were integrating a new software package into the company's HR Department. During the installation, I noted that an important field was left out of a form that was critical to the department's operations. If this had gone unchecked, it would have resulted in the HR Department having to reconstruct thousands of records. Fortunately, we were able to address this early and avoid any rework. This helped the company avoid significant costs, prevented delays in the software implementation, and resulted in a much more functional HR process. It also emphasized the need to pay attention to detail in everything I do."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
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22. When is the last time you had a disagreement with a peer? How did you resolve the situation?
How to Answer
This is a behavioral question. Behavioral questions seek to understand how you would act in a specific situation. These types of questions are best answered using the STAR framework. You state the Situation, describe the Task you are trying to achieve, talk about the Actions you took, and then discuss the Results you achieved. Make sure you emphasize the results and share that they are similar to what you will be expected to accomplish in this role.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"While it is rare, I do occasionally have disagreements with my coworkers. An example of this is when one of my peers thought we should use a different manufacturer's collaboration tool. My concern was that the tool had not been properly vetted and may not interface with the company's current software products. When it became clear that we would not be able to reach an agreement, I suggested that we meet with our manager to put forth our recommendations. He agreed, and we had a meeting shortly after that. The manager felt both recommendations were valid but chose to go with my coworker's. This turned out to be the right choice. What I learned from this was that I need to keep an open mind and that when I reach an impasse with a coworker, it is the role of the manager to intervene and resolve it."
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23. Give me an example of when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done.
How to Answer
Employers are always looking for candidates who are willing to go above and beyond their job description to accomplish tasks that are not their primary responsibility. Demonstrating that you have done this in the past will help set you apart from other candidates and show the interviewer that you are a team player. Make sure you pick an example aligned with the type of work you will be doing in this role.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"I am always looking for opportunities that allow me to do more than what is expected. This contributes to the company's success and also allows me to advance within the organization. In my last job, I noticed that one of my coworkers was struggling to complete a project on time. I offered to assist them and suggested that we schedule some time in the evening to focus on the project. We spent two weeks collaborating and were able to finish the project early with the outcomes exceeding the management team's expectations. I firmly believe this was one of the reasons I was promoted to a supervisory position."
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24. Tell us about a time when you were particularly effective in prioritizing tasks and completing a project on schedule.
How to Answer
This is an example of an operational question. Operational questions help the interviewer understand how you go about doing your job and what you have achieved in prior positions. They want to ensure that you are capable of doing the job and that your achievements mirror the work you will be doing at their company. Again, the research you conducted before the interview will help you select the achievements that best demonstrate your qualifications for this role.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"In my most recent job, I was tasked with analyzing the company's operations and creating a dashboard which would allow managers to quickly understand how the company was doing and what - if any - changes needed to be made to make the manufacturing process more efficient. I succeeded by first analyzing their current operations and noting the company's software applications used to manage their processes. I then worked with a vendor to integrate the software into a single reporting structure that could be viewed through a consolidated dashboard. This helped the managers to quickly see how they were doing and to make adjustments in real-time. This resulted in efficiencies increasing by 20% and lead-times decreasing by 5%."
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
25. What do you know about us?
How to Answer
Hiring managers expect you to arrive at the interview knowing a great deal about the position, the company, their industry, achievements, and challenges. These are the things that they will likely ask about during the interview to ensure that you can contribute to their operational and business objectives. Conducting thorough research before the interview is critical to being able to answer these types of questions. You can find the information on the company's web site, industry-related news, by contacting current and former employees, and other online resources.
Written by William Swansen on October 29th, 2020
Answer Example
"While preparing for this interview, I did a great deal of research and learned quite a bit about your company. I understand that you are an industry leader due to the company's leadership and the innovative advancements you have introduced. I noted that your market share increased by 20% last year and that you are forecasting sales to grow by 10% this year. Glassdoor rates you as one of the best companies to work for in this area. The employees I spoke with rave about the work environment and how you allow individuals to perform at their best while providing them the resources they need to achieve their goals. This is exactly the type of company I would like to work for."
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