Q1
Walk me through how you would design a REST API for an e-commerce platform that handles product listings, user authentication, and order processing. What database schema would you use, and how would you handle scaling?
Why they ask this:* They're assessing your ability to design scalable backend systems, understand relational database modeling, and think through real-world architectural decisions that a mid-level developer should be capable of.
Q2
Explain the difference between client-side and server-side rendering in modern web frameworks. When would you choose Next.js with SSR over a traditional React SPA, and what are the trade-offs?
Why they ask this:* This evaluates your understanding of rendering patterns, performance optimization, and when to apply specific technologies—critical knowledge for a full stack developer deciding on appropriate tech stacks.
Q3
Describe a situation where you optimized a slow database query. What tools or techniques did you use (indexing, query optimization, caching), and how did you measure the improvement?
Why they ask this:* They want to see if you have hands-on experience with performance debugging, can identify bottlenecks, and understand database optimization strategies essential for maintaining production systems.
Q4
How would you handle authentication and authorization in a full stack application? Explain the differences between JWT tokens and session-based authentication, and when you'd use each approach.