Most Asked Java Interview Questions
1. What is the super keyword?
Answer
The super keyword is used to refer to the parent class or superclass. It can be used to
call methods and constructors from the superclass.
2. What is the di erence between local and instance variables in Java?
Answer
Instance variables are accessible by all the methods in the class. They are declared
outside the methods and inside the class. These variables describe the properties of an
object and remain bound to it. Local variables are those variables present within a
block, function, or constructor and can be accessed only inside them. The utilisation of
the variable is restricted to the block scope.
3. Why are strings immutable in Java?
Answer
This storage area in the Java heap is specifically used to store String literals, with the
aim of reducing the creation of temporary String objects through sharing. For sharing to
be possible, an immutable class is required. Also no external synchronisation of threads
is required if the String objects are immutable. In Hash Tables and HashMaps, keys are
String objects and should thus be immutable to avoid modification.
4. What are the di erences between constructor and method of a class in Java?
Answer
Constructor is used for initialising the object state whereas method is used for exposing
the object's behaviour. Constructors have no return type but Methods should have a
return type. Even if it does not return anything, the return type is void. If the constructor
is not defined, then a default constructor is provided by the java compiler. The
constructor name should be equal to the class name. A constructor cannot be marked
as final because whenever a class is inherited, the constructors are not inherited. A
method can be defined as final but it cannot be overridden in its subclasses.
5. What is the di erence between the JDK, JRE, and JVM?
Answer
The JDK (Java Development Kit) is a software development environment for developing
Java applications. The JRE (Java Runtime Environment) is a set of software tools used to
provide the runtime environment for Java applications. The JVM (Java Virtual Machine) is
an abstract machine that provides a runtime environment for executing Java bytecode.
The JDK includes the JRE, and the JRE includes the JVM.
6. What is constructor overloading in Java?
Answer
Constructor overloading is a concept in object oriented programming where a class can
have multiple constructors with di erent parameter lists. Each constructor provides a
di erent way to initialise objects of that class.
7. How does Java achieve platform independence?
Answer
Java achieves platform independence through the use of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Java code is compiled into bytecode, which is then interpreted by the JVM specific to
the underlying platform. This "write once, run anywhere" approach allows Java
programs to run on any system with a compatible JVM.
8. What is the di erence between method overloading and method overriding?
Answer
Method overloading is creating multiple methods in a class with the same name but
di erent parameters, while method overriding is creating a method in a subclass with
the same name and parameters as a method in its superclass.
9. What is the di erence between ArrayList and LinkedList?
Answer
ArrayList is a dynamic array that can grow or shrink as needed, while LinkedList is a
doubly linked list that allows fast insertion and deletion of elements.
10. What is the di erence between static methods, static variables, and static classes
in Java?
Answer
Static Methods and Static variables are those methods and variables that belong to the
class of the java program, not to the object of the class. They are allocated memory
when the class is loaded and can directly be called with the help of the class names. A
class in the java program cannot be static except if it is the inner class. If it is an inner
static class, then it exactly works like other static members of the class
11. What is the di erence between an Iterator and a ListIterator?
Answer
Iterator is used to traverse a collection in a forward direction, while ListIterator is used
to traverse a list in both forward and backward directions.
12. What is the Collections framework?
Answer
The Collections framework is a set of interfaces and classes that provide common data
structures such as lists, sets, and maps.
13. What is the di erence between final, finally, and finalize?
Answer
Final is used to make a variable or method constant and cannot be changed later.
Finally is used in try-catch blocks to execute a block of code regardless of whether an
exception is thrown or not. Finalize is a method that is called by the garbage collector
when an object is no longer in use.
14. What are the Object Oriented Features supported by Java?
Answer
The main feature of the OOPs, also known as 4 pillars or basic principles of OOPs are as
follows: • Encapsulation • Inheritance • Polymorphism • Abstraction
15. What is the di erence between stack and heap memory?
Answer
Stack memory is used for storing local variables and function call, while heap memory
is used for storing objects and their instance variables.
16. What is the di erence between a HashSet and a TreeSet?
Answer
HashSet is a set that stores unique elements in an unordered manner, while TreeSet is a
set that stores unique elements in a sorted manner
17. What is garbage collection?
Answer
Garbage collection in Java is the automated process of deleting code that's no longer
needed or used. This automatically frees up memory space and ideally makes coding
Java apps easier for developers.
18. What is the di erence between a HashMap and a TreeMap?
Answer
HashMap is a hash table that stores key-value pairs, while TreeMap is a red-black tree
that stores key-value pairs in sorted order.
19. What are the di erent access specifiers used in Java?
Answer
Java has 4 access specifiers. • Public - Can be accessed by any class or method •
Protected - Can be accessed by the class of the same package, or by the sub-class of
this class, or within the same class • Default - Are accessible only within the package, is
the default option for all classes, methods and variables. • Private - Can be accessed
only within the class
20. What is the di erence between an abstract class and an interface?
Answer
An abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated and can only be inherited. An
interface is a blueprint of a class that contains only abstract methods and constants.
21. What is Java Persistence API (JPA)?
Answer
Java Persistence API is a collection of classes and methods to persist or store a vast
amount of data in a database using ORM. JPA Persistence framework needs to follow:
1. Spring Data JPA: It reduces the amount of boilerplate code needed for common
database operations like GET, PUT, POST, etc.
2. Spring Repository: It is an extension of Spring Repository which contains APIs for
basic CRUD operations, pagination, and Sorting.
22. What is context switching in Java?
Answer
Context switching in Java is the process of switching from one thread to another by the
operating system's scheduler. During context switching, the current thread's context,
including its register values and program counter, are saved, and the next thread's
context is restored.
23. What is the use of try-catch block in Java?
Answer
The try-catch block is used to handle exceptions in Java.
24. What is an exception?
Answer
An exception is an event that occurs during the execution of a program that disrupts the
normal flow of instructions
25. What is the di erence between checked and unchecked exceptions?
Answer
Checked exceptions are checked at compile time, while unchecked exceptions are
checked at runtime.
26. What is the di erence between throw and throws?
Answer
Throw is used to explicitly throw an exception, while throws is used to declare a method
that can potentially throw an exception.
27. What is a thread and what are the di erent stages in its lifecycle?(Multithreading)
Answer
A thread is a lightweight process that can run concurrently with other threads in a
program. Java thread life cycle has 5 stages: New, Runnable, Running, Non-
Runnable(Blocked/ Waiting), Terminated.
