Interviewing for a programmer analyst role at Cognizant Technology Solutions can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience As one of the top IT companies in India, Cognizant receives thousands of applicants every year for technical roles like programmer analyst Standing out from the competition and impressing your interviewers requires thorough preparation.
In this article we’ll discuss some of the most commonly asked technical interview questions for Cognizant programmer analyst candidates. Knowing what to expect and how to best demonstrate your skills can help you ace your upcoming interview.
Frequently Asked Cognizant Programmer Analyst Interview Questions
Here are some of the most common technical questions asked in Cognizant programmer analyst interviews
Core Programming Concepts
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What is the difference between local and global variables in C?
- Local variables are declared within a function or block and can be accessed only within that function or block. Global variables are declared outside of functions and can be accessed from anywhere in the program.
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What do you mean by an IDE?
- IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment. It is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities for software development such as editor, debugger, compiler/interpreter etc. Examples of popular IDEs include Visual Studio, Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA.
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What is recursion in C?
- Recursion is the process of defining a function or method that calls itself during execution. It is a common technique for simplifying problems by breaking them down into simpler sub-problems. In C, we use recursive functions when we need to repeat the same task multiple times.
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What is a pointer in C?
- A pointer is a variable that holds the memory address of another variable. Pointers can be used to directly access the memory to manipulate data. We declare a pointer variable by adding an asterisk () before the variable name. Eg: int p;
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What is package in Java?
- Package in Java is a group of related classes and interfaces. Packages provide namespace management in Java. Classes must be imported before being used in a Java program. Examples – java.lang, java.util, java.io.
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What are the main concepts of OOPs in Java?
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Main OOPs concepts in Java are:
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Encapsulation – Binding code and data together into a single unit (class).
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Inheritance – Acquiring properties of existing class into a new class.
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Polymorphism – Ability to take multiple forms. Methods can be overridden in sub classes.
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Abstraction – Hiding implementation details, only functionality will be visible.
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What is aggregation?
- Aggregation represents HAS-A relationship where whole has a component part. For example, Department has Students. If whole is deleted, components still exist. It is a weak association.
Data Structures and Algorithms
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How is an array different from linked list? Compare their pros and cons.
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Explain how stack and queue data structures work. What are their applications?
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What are the various operations supported by a tree data structure?
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How does quick sort algorithm work? Explain with an example.
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What is the time complexity of binary search algorithm? How can it be improved?
Database and SQL Concepts
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What are the different types of joins in SQL? Give examples.
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How can you optimize a slow-running query in SQL?
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What are indexes in databases? Why are they used?
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Explain database normalization with examples.
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What are ACID properties in databases?
Software Development Methodologies
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What is the agile software development methodology? What are its benefits?
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How is iterative model different from waterfall model?
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What are the important aspects of requirement gathering in software development?
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What isSCRUM? Explain SCRUM roles and artifacts.
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What are the best practices of code review? Why is it important?
How to Ace Your Cognizant Programmer Analyst Interview
Now that you know some of the common technical questions asked in Cognizant programmer analyst interviews, here are some tips to help you succeed in your interview:
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Thoroughly review core programming concepts – Brush up on the basics of languages like C, Java, data structures, algorithms, databases and SQL queries. Ensure you can explain technical topics clearly.
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Practice answering questions out loud – Sit in front of a mirror and practice answering questions. Get comfortable explaining concepts verbally.
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Prepare examples to demonstrate concepts – For data structures, algorithms, etc prepare examples to clearly demonstrate how they work. Visual aids help.
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Revise important computer science fundamentals – Programming paradigms, software development models, OS, networking – ensure you have a good grasp of CS basics.
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Hone your analytical and problem solving skills – Practice logic and analytical questions. As a programmer, problem solving ability is vital.
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Stay calm and composed – No matter how difficult the questions, stay calm. Take a moment, think through, and answer confidently.
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Be thorough but concise – Provide detailed and accurate responses, but get to the point quickly. Don’t drag answers.
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Admit if you don’t know – It’s ok not to know everything. If you don’t know something, be honest and move on.
With rigorous preparation using these tips, you can master the technical interview for the Cognizant programmer analyst role. Research the company, understand the role demands, review your knowledge, practice responding, and go into the interview confidently. Keep it simple, be articulate, and show them how your skills make you the ideal candidate. Good luck!
