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HSBC > HSBC Interview Guide

HSBC Interview Guide

Information About HSBC Technical Interview

HSBC mainly hires for software development, data engineering, cybersecurity, testing, and cloud roles. The interview process generally includes:

1. Online Assessment

  • Aptitude, logical reasoning, and coding questions
  • Programming questions based on Data Structures and Problem Solving

2. Technical Interview

Focus areas:

  • OOP concepts
  • DBMS and SQL queries
  • Operating System concepts
  • Networking basics
  • One programming language (Java / Python / C++)
  • Final year project and internship experience
  • Scenario-based coding questions
  • Cloud basics (AWS / Azure)
  • API development fundamentals

3. HR Interview

  • Self-introduction
  • Strengths & weaknesses
  • Why HSBC?
  • Work ethic & teamwork
  • Availability, location preference, salary expectations

HSBC interviewers usually check:

  • Problem-solving approach
  • Depth of fundamentals
  • Project ownership
  • Communication skills
  • Real-world understanding rather than just definitions

50 Most Common Technical Interview Questions (with Detailed Explanations)

1. What is Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)?

OOP is a programming paradigm based on the concept of real-world objects. It uses classes and objects to structure code. The four pillars are Encapsulation, Polymorphism, Inheritance, and Abstraction, helping in code reusability, scalability, and security.

2. What is Encapsulation?

Encapsulation bundles data (variables) and methods (functions) into a single unit — a class — and restricts direct access to sensitive data using modifiers like private and protected. It prevents accidental modification and enhances security.

3. Explain Polymorphism.

Polymorphism means one name, many forms. The same function can behave differently based on input or object. It is implemented via method overloading (compile-time) and method overriding (run-time).

4. What is Inheritance?

Inheritance allows a class (child/subclass) to acquire properties and methods of another class (parent). It promotes code reuse. For example, a “Car” class can inherit from a “Vehicle” class.

5. What is Abstraction?

Abstraction hides unnecessary details and shows only essential functionality. For example, when driving a car, we use a steering wheel without knowing internal mechanics. In programming, it is implemented using abstract classes or interfaces.

6. What is a Constructor?

A constructor is a special method that initializes objects. It has the same name as the class and has no return type. It is called automatically when an object is created.

7. What is the difference between an Array and ArrayList?

Arrays are fixed size and store elements of the same data type. ArrayList is dynamic and can increase or decrease in size automatically. ArrayList provides built-in methods for searching, removing, and sorting elements.

8. What are Access Specifiers?

They define the scope and accessibility of variables/methods:

  • public – accessible everywhere
  • private – accessible only within class
  • protected – accessible within class and subclass
  • default – within the same package

9. Difference between Final, Finally, and Finalize.

  • final: keyword to restrict (e.g., final variable cannot change)
  • finally: block used in exception handling, always executes
  • finalize(): method used by garbage collector before object deletion

10. What is Exception Handling?

Exception handling deals with runtime errors to avoid system crashes. It uses try, catch, finally, throw, throws.

11. What is Garbage Collection?

It is the automatic memory management feature that removes unused objects to free memory.

12. What is Multithreading?

Multithreading allows multiple tasks to run simultaneously within a program, improving performance. Useful for gaming, server handling, and real-time applications.

13. What is a Deadlock?

Deadlock occurs when two or more threads wait indefinitely for each other’s resources. Proper synchronization prevents it.

14. What is a Database?

A database stores and organizes data for easy retrieval. SQL databases store structured data while NoSQL databases store unstructured/large-scale data.

15. What is SQL?

Structured Query Language is used to interact with relational databases through operations like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE.

16. What is Normalization?

Normalization reduces data redundancy and improves data integrity. It organizes database tables using forms like 1NF, 2NF, 3NF.

17. Difference Between DELETE, TRUNCATE, and DROP.

  • DELETE – removes rows, can rollback
  • TRUNCATE – removes all rows, cannot rollback
  • DROP – deletes table structure completely

18. What is JOIN in SQL?

JOIN combines rows from two or more tables based on related columns. Types: INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL.

19. What is an Index?

Index improves query speed by providing quick access to table rows, similar to a book index.

20. What are ACID Properties?

Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability — ensure reliable DB transactions.

21. What is the SDLC?

Software Development Life Cycle is a process of planning, designing, building, testing, deploying, and maintaining software.

22. Waterfall vs Agile Model

Waterfall is sequential; once a phase ends, you can’t go back. Agile is iterative, includes continuous delivery, sprints, and client feedback.

23. What is an API?

API enables communication between applications. It allows one software to use services of another without understanding internal logic.

24. What is REST API?

REST uses HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and works on resource-based architecture.

25. GET vs POST

GET fetches data and appears in the URL; POST sends data securely in the request body.

26. What is JSON?

JavaScript Object Notation — a lightweight format to exchange data between client and server.

27. What is a Framework?

A framework provides predefined libraries and structure to speed up development — e.g., Django, Spring Boot, React.

28. What is a Library?

A library is a collection of reusable functions to solve specific problems. It offers flexibility while frameworks control structure.

29. What is Machine Learning?

ML is a subset of AI where systems learn patterns from data to make predictions or decisions without explicit programming.

30. Supervised vs Unsupervised Learning

Supervised uses labeled data for classification and regression. Unsupervised uses unlabeled data for clustering and pattern recognition.

31. What is Big-O Notation?

Big-O measures algorithm complexity and performance. O(n) meaning time grows linearly with input size.

32. What is a Data Structure?

A way of organizing data for efficient access and modification — arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs.

33. Stack vs Queue

Stack uses LIFO (Last In First Out); Queue uses FIFO (First In First Out).

34. What is a Linked List?

A collection of nodes where each node stores data and a pointer to the next node. Useful when frequent insertion/deletion is required.

35. What is a Binary Tree?

A hierarchical data structure where each node has at most two children (left and right). Efficient for search operations.

36. What is a Graph?

A structure containing nodes connected with edges. Used in navigation, networking, and recommendation systems.

37. What is Recursion?

A function calling itself until a base condition is met. Used in tree traversal, factorial, Fibonacci, etc.

38. What is Compiler vs Interpreter

Compiler translates whole program at once; Interpreter translates line-by-line.

39. What is Virtual Memory?

Virtual memory uses secondary storage as temporary RAM to handle larger processes.

40. What is Cloud Computing?

Delivery of computing services (storage, servers, analytics) over the internet. Examples: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud.

41. Public, Private, Hybrid Cloud

Public is open for global use, private is dedicated to one organization, hybrid is a mix of both.

42. What is Networking?

Networking enables data exchange between devices. Includes concepts like IP address, TCP, UDP, DNS, routing.

43. TCP vs UDP

TCP is connection-oriented and reliable; UDP is fast but connectionless.

44. What is Cyber Security?

Cybersecurity protects systems from unauthorized access, attacks, and data breaches.

45. What is Encryption?

Process of converting readable data into scrambled format to secure it from attackers.

46. What is CI/CD?

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment automate software development pipeline — build, test, deploy.

47. What is Docker?

Docker is a containerization tool that packages applications with dependencies, enabling portability and consistency.

48. What is Kubernetes?

An orchestration platform that automates deployment, scaling, and management of containerized apps.

49. What is Version Control?

System used to track changes in code — Git is the most popular tool.

50. What is DevOps?

DevOps unifies development and operations to deliver applications faster with improved collaboration and automation.

HSBC Coding Questions

20 HSBC Coding Interview Questions (with Proper Explanations)

1. Two Sum Problem

Question: Given an array and a target value, find indices of two numbers whose sum equals the target.
Explanation: Use a hash map to store visited values. For each element, check if target – current exists in the map. Time complexity reduces to O(n) instead of nested loops.

2. Check if a String is Palindrome

Question: Determine whether a string reads the same forward and backward.
Explanation: Use two pointers (start & end). Compare characters while moving inward. Case sensitivity and spaces may need handling depending on question.

3. Find the Missing Number

Question: Given n–1 numbers from 1 to n, find the missing number.
Explanation: Sum formula n × (n + 1) / 2 – sum(array) gives the missing number. Optimal and O(n) solution.

4. Reverse a Linked List

Question: Reverse the pointers of a singly linked list.
Explanation: Use three pointers: prev, curr, next. Update links iteratively until the end.

5. Detect Loop in Linked List

Question: Check whether a linked list contains a cycle.
Explanation: Use Floyd’s Slow & Fast Pointer Algorithm. If pointers meet, a cycle exists.

6. Maximum Subarray Sum (Kadane’s Algorithm)

Question: Find the largest sum of any contiguous subarray.
Explanation: Track the running sum; reset to 0 when negative. Maintain global maximum. Time complexity O(n).

7. Merge Two Sorted Arrays

Question: Merge two sorted arrays into one sorted array.
Explanation: Use two pointer approach to compare elements and push smallest into result list.

8. Count Frequency of Characters in a String

Question: Count occurrences of each character.
Explanation: Use a hash map/dictionary to store frequency and iterate through characters once — O(n).

9. Find Longest Common Prefix

Question: Given an array of strings, find the longest shared starting substring.
Explanation: Take the first word, compare progressively with others while shrinking prefix.

10. Find First Non-Repeating Character

Question: Return the character that appears only once in a string.
Explanation: First do frequency count via hash map then traverse again to return the first char with count = 1.

11. Print Fibonacci Series (Dynamic Programming)

Question: Print first N Fibonacci numbers.
Explanation: Use DP array or store previous two values to avoid recursive recalculation — O(n).

12. Anagram Check

Question: Check whether two strings are anagrams.
Explanation: Sort both strings or use frequency counting of characters. Case and spacing handling may matter.

13. Valid Parentheses

Question: Check whether a string of brackets is balanced.
Explanation: Use stack; push opening brackets, pop for correct closing ones. If stack empty at end → valid.

14. Remove Duplicates from a Sorted Linked List

Question: For a sorted list, remove consecutive duplicate elements.
Explanation: Traverse list, compare current with next node, skip duplicates by linking to next next.

15. Find Intersection of Two Arrays

Question: Return common elements in two arrays.
Explanation: Use a set/hash map to track elements and store intersection. Time complexity O(n + m).

16. Minimum Number of Platforms (Railway Problem)

Question: Given arrival and departure times, find minimum platforms needed.
Explanation: Sort arrivals and departures and use two pointers to simulate timeline. Classic greedy approach.

17. Rotate Array by K Positions

Question: Rotate array to right by K.
Explanation: Reverse algorithm — reverse whole array, reverse first K elements, reverse remaining elements — O(n) and no extra space.

18. Find Second Largest Element

Question: Return second maximum number in array.
Explanation: Track top two values while iterating; avoid sorting (O(n) solution). Handle duplicates correctly.

19. Longest Increasing Subsequence (LIS)

Question: Find length of the longest subsequence with increasing values.
Explanation: DP solution with O(n²) complexity or optimized binary search approach O(n log n) by maintaining tail array.

20. LRU Cache Design

Question: Implement Least Recently Used Cache that supports get() and put().
Explanation: Use Doubly Linked List + HashMap to give O(1) access & update. Most recently used item stays at front; least recent removed first when capacity full.

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