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Top 30 Java Full Stack Developer Interview Questions (2025)

16 Dec 2024
10 min read

The demand for Java Full Stack Developers continues to grow, candidates need to be prepared for a range of questions that test both their technical knowledge and practical skills. Whether you’re a fresher entering the world of software development or an experienced developer looking for a new opportunity, being well-versed in Java Full Stack Developer Interview Questions is crucial for success.

Introduction

A Full Stack Java Developer is proficient in both front-end and back-end technologies, with the ability to work across the entire stack. Full-stack development involves mastering various tools, languages, frameworks, and databases. Interview questions for a Java Full Stack Developer typically focus on Java, web development technologies, database management, and cloud services. These interviews often combine both theoretical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the most common Java Full Stack Developer Interview Questions for both freshers and experienced professionals, along with helpful tips for interview preparation.

Java Full Stack Developer Interview Questions for Freshers

Here are some common Java full-stack interview questions asked in the interviews:

1. What is Java Full Stack Development?

Java Full Stack Development involves working on a web application's front and back end. In the front end, we use technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like Angular/React. For back-end development, we use Java with frameworks like Spring Boot to build RESTful APIs, manage databases, and handle business logic.

2. What technologies do you need to build a typical web application?

  • Front-end: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React or Angular.
  • Back-end: Java (Spring Boot) for server-side development.
  • Database: Relational databases like MySQL or NoSQL databases like MongoDB.

3. Explain the concept of MVC architecture.

MVC stands for Model-View-Controller. It is an architectural pattern used to separate an application into three main components:

  • Model: Handles data and business logic.
  • View: Represents the user interface.
  • Controller: Processes input from the User and functions as an intermediary between the Model and View.
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4. Difference Between Java and Python

The key differences between Java and Python are listed below:

Java Python
Statically typed (variable types must be declared). Dynamically typed (variable types are inferred).
Faster execution due to compilation and JVM optimization. Slower execution as it is an interpreted language.
More verbose, and uses curly braces and semicolons. Simpler, and resembles human language, with no semicolons.

5. What is a servlet in Java?

A servlet is a Java class that handles HTTP requests and generates dynamic content. It runs on a web server and is used to extend the capabilities of a web server, handling tasks like form submissions or database queries.

6. What is Pair Programming?

Pair programming is a collaborative software development technique where two developers work together on the same code. One acts as the driver, writing the code, while the other serves as the navigator, reviewing, suggesting improvements, and ensuring quality. This approach fosters teamwork, knowledge sharing, and better code quality.

7. Explain the concept of CORS.

CORS stands for Cross-Origin Resource Sharing. It is a security mechanism that allows web browsers to make requests to domains different from the one that served the web page. CORS manages permissions by specifying which origins can access resources, helping prevent malicious cross-site attacks.

8. What is a callback function in JavaScript?

A callback function in JavaScript is a function that is passed as an argument to another function and is executed later, once a specific event or operation is completed. Callbacks are typically used for handling asynchronous operations, like network requests or timers, but they can also be used for other purposes, such as iterating over data or event handling.

Example

function greeting(name) {
  alert("Hello, " + name);
}

function processUserInput(callback) {
  var name = prompt("Please enter your name.");
  callback(name);  // The callback function is executed here
}

processUserInput(greeting);  // greeting is passed as a callback

9. What is Long polling and when it is used?

Long polling is a web development technique that allows a web server to send updates to a client without the client having to continuously request new information. It works by keeping a persistent connection between the client and server, and only sending data when it's available: 

  • The client sends a request to the server 
  • The server keeps the request open until it has new data or a timeout occurs 
  • Clients receive new data from the server
  • The client sends another request to keep the connection open 
  • The cycle repeats

This is useful for applications that require real-time updates, such as chat applications or collaborative editing tools. It's an efficient way to communicate with the server because it minimizes unnecessary requests and reduces server load.

10. What are the different types of CSS selectors?

CSS selectors can be:

  • Basic selectors: element, id, class
  • Combinator selectors: descendant (A B), child (A > B), adjacent sibling (A + B), general sibling (A ~ B)
  • Group selectors: (A, B, C)
  • Attribute selectors: ([attribute], [attribute="value"])
  • Pseudo-classes: (:hover, :first-child)
  • Pseudo-elements: (::before, ::after)

11. What is the DOM (Document Object Model)?

The DOM is a programming interface for web documents. It represents the structure of an HTML or XML document as a tree of nodes, each node representing a part of the document (elements, attributes, text, etc.).

12. What is the difference between JavaScript and Java?

JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted programming language used for client-side scripting in web pages, whereas Java is a statically typed, compiled programming language used for building standalone applications and server-side applications.

13. What is AJAX and how does it work?

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) allows web pages to load content asynchronously without reloading the entire page. It uses the XMLHttpRequest object or the fetch API to send HTTP requests and update parts of the page dynamically.

14. What is the purpose of the var, let, and const keywords in JavaScript?

  • var keyword has function scope (or global scope).
  • let declare a block-scoped variable.
  • const declares a block-scoped, read-only variable.

15. What is the difference between HTML and HTML5?

Here is the comparison between HTML and HTML5:

HTML HTML5
It does not have native support for audio and video. Requires third-party plugins. It contains native support for audio and video elements (<audio>, <video>).
Limited form elements. Lacks advanced input types (e.g., date, email). New form elements and input types like <input type="date">, <input type="email">.
Limited use of semantic tags. Relies on generic <div> and <span>. Introduces semantic tags like <article>, <section>, <nav>, <header>, and <footer>.

16. What is a Session in Web Applications?

In web applications, a session refers to a mechanism used to maintain state information across multiple HTTP requests from a client (typically a web browser) to a server. HTTP is stateless, meaning each request is independent, and the server does not inherently retain information about the user between requests. A session allows the server to ‘remember’ the user and their actions over multiple requests. This is crucial for functionalities such as user authentication, tracking a shopping cart, or storing temporary user preferences.

17. What is Hibernate and how it is used in database interaction?

Hibernate is an open-source Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework for Java. It simplifies database interactions by mapping Java objects to relational database tables and vice versa. Hibernate provides a way to interact with a database using high-level object-oriented code, rather than writing raw SQL queries. This results in easier maintenance, better portability, and a more flexible system.

18. What is dependency injection in spring?

Dependency Injection (DI) in Spring is a design pattern where Spring Framework automatically provides dependencies (objects or services) to a class, promoting loose coupling and easier testing by injecting them via constructors, setters, or fields.

19. What is the difference between GET and POST?

Here is the comparison of GET and POST:

GET POST
The purpose is to retrieve data from the server. The purpose is to send data to the server (e.g., form submission).
GET is idempotent (the same request returns the same result). POST is not idempotent (submitting the same data multiple times may cause changes).
Data is visible in the URL. Data is hidden in the request body.

20. How do you handle the load time of a web application?

  • Optimize images and use proper formats.
  • Implement caching to store frequently used data.
  • Minimize HTTP requests and remove unnecessary plugins.
  • Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
  • Optimize JavaScript and CSS.

Java Full Stack Interview Questions for Experienced

21. What is the difference between Spring MVC and boot?

Here is the comparison of Spring MVC and Spring Boot:

Spring MVC Spring Boot
Requires extensive configuration. Pre-configured, minimal setup required.
Used for manual setup for dependencies. Used for auto-configuration for faster setup.
Slower development due to more setup. Faster development due to built-in features.
More complex and customizable. Simpler and easier to use.

22. What is the role of the @RestController annotation in Spring?

The @RestController annotation in Spring is used to define a controller that handles HTTP requests and returns responses directly to the client in the form of JSON or XML. It is a convenience annotation that combines @Controller and @ResponseBody to simplify RESTful web service development.

Benefits

  • Simplifies REST API creation.
  • Reduces the need for multiple annotations.
  • Automatically serializes response to JSON or XML.

23. What is RESTful Web Services?

RESTful Web Services are web services based on REST (Representational State Transfer) principles, which use HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for communication between client and server. They are stateless, scalable, and cacheable, making them ideal for web and mobile applications.

24. What are WebSockets?

WebSockets are a protocol for creating a two-way communication channel between a client and a server. Unlike traditional HTTP requests, WebSockets allow continuous, real-time communication. This is ideal for applications requiring live data updates, such as chat applications or live notifications.

25. What is the use of @Transactional annotation?

The @Transactional annotation in Spring is used to define transaction boundaries. When applied to a method, Spring ensures that the method's database operations are executed within a single transaction, which either commits or rolls back based on success or failure.

26. Explain the difference between Session-based and Token-based authentication

Session-based Authentication oken-based Authentication
Stored on the server Stored on the client (usually in local storage or cookies)
Less scalable, as the server holds sessions Highly scalable, as tokens are stateless
Slower as session data is looked up on the server Faster, as the client manages the token

27. What is Docker and its benefits?

Docker is a containerization platform that allows developers to package applications and their dependencies into containers. This makes it easier to deploy and run applications consistently across different environments. Docker enhances the development, testing, and deployment processes in full-stack development by providing an isolated, reproducible environment.

Benefits

  • Simplifies deployment and management.
  • Ensures consistency across development, staging, and production environments.
  • Scalable and resource-efficient.

28. What is the Concept of Spring boot and how it is used for Java Applications

Spring Boot is a framework built on top of the Spring framework. It simplifies the development of production-ready applications by providing defaults for configurations, embedded servers (like Tomcat, and Jetty), and automatic dependency management. It reduces the need for complex configurations and helps in rapid development. Spring Boot allows you to create stand-alone applications that can run directly without an external servlet container.

29. How do you perform unit testing in Java using JUnit or TestNG?

JUnit and TestNG are popular testing frameworks in Java. Unit tests are written to test individual units of code, such as methods or classes. These tests check whether the code behaves as expected. You can use annotations like @Test in JUnit and @Test in TestNG to define test methods and assertions to verify results.

30. Explain the concept of a Promise in JavaScript.

A Promise represents the eventual completion (or failure) of an asynchronous operation. It has three states:

  • Pending: The operation is still in progress.
  • Fulfilled: The operation was completed successfully.
  • Rejected: The operation failed.

Tips for Interview Preparation

To stand out in your Java Full Stack Developer Interview, here are some useful tips:

  • Ensure you have a strong grasp of core Java, Spring Boot, Hibernate, and RESTful APIs.
  • Know how front-end technologies (e.g., Angular, React, HTML, CSS) interact with Java-based back-end systems.
  • Be ready to explain your approach to system design, including considerations like scalability, fault tolerance, and performance optimization.
  • Interviewers often test problem-solving abilities, so practice coding challenges and algorithms on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.
  • Understand both relational and non-relational databases, and how to integrate them into Java applications.
  • Build projects using Java Full Stack Development tools to demonstrate your practical experience and understanding of both front-end and back-end technologies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, preparing for a Java Full Stack Developer Interview requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Whether you are a fresher or an experienced developer, understanding the full stack of technologies including Java, front-end frameworks, databases, and cloud tools is crucial. Additionally, practicing coding problems, understanding design principles, and being able to explain how you would solve real-world issues will help you to crack in interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How should I prepare for a Full Stack Java Developer Interview?

To prepare effectively:

  • Master Java, Spring Boot, and databases.
  • Understand front-end technologies like Angular and React.
  • Practice coding problems and system design concepts.

2. What are some common challenges faced by Java Full Stack Developers?

  • Ensuring seamless communication between the front-end (JavaScript, Angular) and back-end (Java, Spring Boot).
  • Designing applications that can scale efficiently as user traffic increases.
  • Managing different versions of front-end and back-end technologies.
  • Implementing secure APIs and protecting user data.

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