Java Interview Questions & One-Sentence Answers

1. What are the reasons for Java's success?

Ans: Java is successful because it's simple, secure, portable, and platform independent.

2. What is WORA?

Ans: WORA means Write Once, Run Anywhere.

3. Why is Java called an Internet Programming language?

Ans: Java supports applets and web-based apps, making it ideal for the internet.

4. What is meant by platform independence?

Ans: Platform independence means Java runs on any OS with a JVM.

5. What is meant by open source?

Ans: Open source means Java's code is freely available for everyone.

6. What is an assembler?

Ans: Assembler converts assembly code to machine code.

7. What is a compiler?

Ans: Compiler converts high-level code into bytecode.

8. What was Java initially known as?

Ans: Java was initially called Oak.

9. Who were the inventors of Java?

Ans: Java was invented by James Gosling and team.

10. Which company's product was Java initially?

Ans: Java was originally developed by Sun Microsystems.

11. Which company's product is Java currently?

Ans: Now Java is owned by Oracle.

12. What is JVM?

Ans: JVM runs Java bytecode on any platform.

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13. Is JVM platform dependent or independent? Why?

Ans: JVM is platform dependent, but it makes Java platform independent.

14. What is a class file?

Ans: A class file is a compiled Java file with bytecode.

15. What is an intermediate code?

Ans: Intermediate code is code between source and machine code (i.e., bytecode).

16. What is class loader?

Ans: Class loader loads compiled classes into memory.

17. What is a byte code verifier?

Ans: Bytecode verifier checks the validity of bytecode.

18. What is an interpreter?

Ans: Interpreter executes code line-by-line at runtime.

19. What is the difference between compiler and interpreter?

Ans: Compiler translates whole code before execution; interpreter does it line-by-line.

20. What is JIT?

Ans: JIT compiles bytecode into native code at runtime for speed.

21. What is JRE?

Ans: JRE allows you to run Java programs.

22. Is Java a compiled or interpreted language?

Ans: Java is both compiled (to bytecode) and interpreted (by JVM).

23. What is run time system?

Ans: Runtime system manages program execution in real-time.

24. What is JDK?

Ans: JDK is a complete toolkit for Java development.

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25. What is the latest version of Java available and when was it released?

Ans: Latest Java version changes; check the Oracle site for updates.

26. Which is the next version of Java and when would it be released?

Ans: Next Java version is released every 6 months by Oracle.

27. How did Java drastically grow in features?

Ans: Java grew with rich APIs, GUI, network support, and security.

28. What is the disadvantage of Java?

Ans: Java is slower than C/C++ because of bytecode interpretation.

29. When was first version of Java officially released?

Ans: Java was officially released in 1995.

30. Since when was Java unofficially available?

Ans: Java was unofficially available in 1991 as Oak.

31. Explain the architecture of Java.

Ans: Java's architecture has class loader, bytecode verifier, and JVM.

32. What is meant by architecture neutrality?

Ans: Architecture neutrality means compiled code can run anywhere.

33. How is object file different from class file?

Ans: Object file is native code; class file is bytecode.

34. Is class file platform dependent?

Ans: Class file is platform independent.

35. Is object file platform dependent?

Ans: Object file is platform dependent.

36. Can we have single JVM on a system which has multiple OS?

Ans: One JVM per OS is needed on multi-OS systems.

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37. What is meant by a platform?

Ans: A platform is a software-hardware environment.

38. Comment on the speed of Java.

Ans: Java is slower than C++, but fast enough with JIT.

39. What category of applications can be developed using Java?

Ans: Java is used for web, desktop, mobile, and enterprise apps.

40. What is the single most important feature of Java that led to its success?

Ans: Platform independence is Java's best feature.

41. What is the difference between JDK and JVM?

Ans: JDK is for developers; JVM is for running apps.

42. What is meant by loading?

Ans: Loading means bringing code into memory.

43. What is meant by saving?

Ans: Saving means storing data to disk.

44. Why do we have two types of memories in our computer?

Ans: Our computers have RAM and hard disk as two types of memory.

45. Why is the primary memory called as 'main memory'?

Ans: RAM is called main memory because CPU uses it directly.

46. Why is the primary memory called as the 'secondary memory'?

Ans: Hard disk is called secondary memory because it's slower and stores data long-term.

47. Why is hard-disk called as the 'secondary memory'?

Ans: Hard disk stores programs and files permanently.

48. What is a pointer and does Java support pointers?

Ans: Java doesn't support pointers to improve security.

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49. What is difference between Path and Classpath?

Ans: Path is for system tools; classpath is for Java files.

50. What environment variables do I need to set on my machine in order to be able to run Java programs?

Ans: Set JAVA_HOME and classpath to compile and run Java.

51. What is an object file?

Ans: Object file contains machine-level code.

52. What is an executable file?

Ans: Executable file runs directly on the system.

53. Is an object file executable?

Ans: Object file is not directly executable.

54. Is an executable file executable?

Ans: Yes, executable files run directly.

55. What is a linkage editor?

Ans: Linker combines files into one program.

56. What is an executable image?

Ans: Executable image is a complete, runnable file.

57. What are library files?

Ans: Library files store reusable code.

58. Do library files contain code in HLL?

Ans: Yes, some libraries may have high-level code (like scripts).

59. Are library files machine dependent?

Ans: Yes, compiled libraries are machine dependent.

60. Why can't we execute an object file?

Ans: Object files need linking, so not directly executed.

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61. Can we send HLL code over internet? Comment.

Ans: No, HLL code must be compiled before sending.

62. Can we send MLL code over internet? Comment.

Ans: No, MLL code is not portable over internet.

63. Can we send IL code over internet? Comment.

Ans: IL code can be sent if verified and secure.

64. Why can't we have a single JVM to work for all OS?

Ans: JVMs are OS-specific due to native dependencies.

65. What are the reasons for Java's slowness?

Ans: Java is slow due to runtime checks and bytecode interpretation.

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