100 Core Java Interview Questions

Mohammed Shahid

100 Core Java Questions

Author: Mohammed Shahid

Core Java
1. Difference between JDK, JRE, and JVM?
• JDK: Java Development Kit, includes JRE + tools (e.g., javac).

• JRE: Java Runtime Environment, includes JVM + libraries.

• JVM: Java Virtual Machine, executes bytecode.

No code example needed.
2. What is JVM and is it platform independent?
JVM runs bytecode but is platform-dependent (specific to OS/hardware). Java code is platform-independent due to
JVM.
No code example needed.
3. What is the difference between Stack and Heap Memory?
• Stack: Stores local variables, method calls.

• Heap: Stores objects, managed by garbage collector.

class Example {
int instanceVar = 10; // Heap
void method() {
int localVar = 20; // Stack
}
}

4. What is the difference between path and classpath?

• Path: OS variable for executables.

• Classpath: Java variable for .class files/JARs.

No code example needed.
5. What is the difference between an instance variable and a local variable?
• Instance variable: Class-level, default values.

• Local variable: Method-level, must be initialized.

class Example {
int instanceVar; // Instance, default 0
void method() {

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 int localVar = 10; // Local, must initialize
[Link](instanceVar + localVar);
}
}

6. Can we overload main method?

Yes, but only public static void main(String[] args) is the entry point.
class MainOverload {
public static void main(String[] args) {
[Link]("Main entry point");
}
public static void main(int x) {
[Link]("Overloaded main: " + x);
}
}

7. Can we have multiple public classes in a Java source file?

No, only one public class per file, matching file name.
// File: [Link]
public class Test {}
class AnotherClass {} // Non-public is fine

8. Difference between static block and instance block?

• Static block: Runs once at class loading.

• Instance block: Runs per object creation.

class Example {
static { [Link]("Static block"); }
{ [Link]("Instance block"); }
}

9. What is static import?

Imports static members directly.
import static [Link];
class Test {
void show() {
[Link](PI); // No [Link]
}
}

10. What is the difference between import and static import?

• Import: Imports classes/packages.

• Static import: Imports static members.

import [Link];
import static [Link];
class Test {
void show() {
[Link]("Static import");
}
}

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Object-Oriented Concepts
11. What is the difference between object-oriented and object-based programming language?
• Object-oriented: Supports inheritance, polymorphism (e.g., Java).

• Object-based: Lacks inheritance/polymorphism (e.g., JavaScript).

No code example needed.
12. What is constructor chaining?
Calling one constructor from another using this() or super().
class Example {
Example() { this(10); }
Example(int x) { [Link]("Value: " + x); }
}

13. Can we override static methods?

No, static methods are hidden, not overridden.
class Parent { static void show() { [Link]("Parent"); } }
class Child extends Parent { static void show() { [Link]("Child"); } }

14. Can we override main method?

No, it’s static.
See Q6 for overloading example.
15. Difference between Method Overloading and Method Overriding?
• Overloading: Same name, different parameters.

• Overriding: Same signature in subclass.

class Example {
void show(int x) {} // Overloading
void show(String s) {}
}
class Parent {
void display() {}
}
class Child extends Parent {
@Override
void display() {} // Overriding
}

16. Can we instantiate abstract class?

No, must be subclassed.
abstract class Example {}
class Test extends Example {}

17. Can we declare abstract methods as private?

No, must be public or protected.
abstract class Example {
abstract void show(); // Valid
// private abstract void show(); // Invalid
}

18. Can we use abstract and final together?

No, they’re mutually exclusive.

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 No code example needed.
19. Can we declare a class as abstract without having any abstract method?
Yes, to prevent instantiation.
abstract class Example {
void show() { [Link]("Concrete method"); }
}

20. What is the use of abstract class?

Provides a blueprint for subclasses.
abstract class Shape {
abstract void draw();
}
class Circle extends Shape {
void draw() { [Link]("Circle"); }
}

Interfaces and Inner Classes

21. What is Marker interface?
Interface with no methods (e.g., Serializable).
class Example implements Serializable {}

22. What is the difference between abstract class and interface?

• Abstract class: Can have concrete methods, fields.

• Interface: Abstract methods, constants only (pre-Java 8).

abstract class A { void show() {} }
interface I { void show(); }

23. Can we define a class inside an interface?

Yes, static nested class.
interface Example {
class Inner {}
}

24. Can we define interface inside a class?

Yes, nested interface.
class Example {
interface InnerInterface {}
}

25. What is nested interface?

Interface inside class/interface.
class Example {
interface Nested { void show(); }
}

Exception Handling
26. Can we override a method that throws runtime exception without throws clause?
Yes, runtime exceptions are unchecked.

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 class Parent {
void show() { throw new RuntimeException(); }
}
class Child extends Parent {
void show() {} // No throws needed
}

27. What is difference between final, finally, and finalize?

• final: Prevents modification/inheritance.

• finally: Executes after try-catch.

• finalize: GC cleanup (deprecated).

final class Example {
public void method() {
try {} finally { [Link]("Finally"); }
}
}

28. What is multi-catch block in exception handling?

Catches multiple exceptions in one block.
try {
// Code
} catch (IOException | SQLException e) {
[Link]();
}

29. What is try-with-resources in Java?

Auto-closes AutoCloseable resources.
try (FileReader fr = new FileReader("[Link]")) {
// Use fr
} catch (IOException e) {}

30. What is the use of throw keyword?

Throws an exception explicitly.
void check() {
throw new RuntimeException("Error");
}

Threads and Concurrency

31. What is the difference between throw and throws?
• throw: Throws exception.

• throws: Declares exceptions.

void method() throws IOException {
throw new IOException("Error");
}

32. Difference between wait and sleep?

• wait: Releases lock, needs synchronized.

• sleep: Pauses thread, keeps lock.

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 synchronized (obj) {
[Link](); // Releases lock
}
[Link](1000); // Keeps lock

33. Difference between notify and notifyAll?

• notify: Wakes one thread.

• notifyAll: Wakes all waiting threads.

synchronized (obj) {
[Link](); // One thread
[Link](); // All threads
}

34. Can we call run method directly to start a new thread?

Yes, but runs in current thread.
Thread t = new Thread(() -> [Link]("Run"));
[Link](); // Current thread
[Link](); // New thread

35. Difference between start and run method?

• start: Creates new thread.

• run: Executes in current thread.

See Q34 example.
36. Difference between Runnable and Callable interface?
• Runnable: run(), no return, no checked exceptions.

• Callable: call(), returns value, throws exceptions.

Runnable r = () -> [Link]("Run");
Callable<String> c = () -> "Result";

37. What is thread pool?

Reusable threads managed by ExecutorService.
ExecutorService es = [Link](2);
[Link](() -> [Link]("Task"));
[Link]();

38. What is the difference between user thread and daemon thread?
• User thread: Keeps JVM alive.

• Daemon thread: JVM exits if only daemon threads remain.

Thread t = new Thread();
[Link](true);
[Link]();

39. What is the purpose of ThreadLocal?

Thread-specific variables.
ThreadLocal<Integer> tl = [Link](() -> 1);
[Link](2); // Thread-specific

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 40. What is FutureTask?
Wraps Callable, retrieves result via Future.
FutureTask<String> ft = new FutureTask<>(() -> "Done");
new Thread(ft).start();
[Link]([Link]());

41. What is ExecutorService?

Manages thread pools.
See Q37 example.
42. What is CountDownLatch?
Threads wait until count reaches zero.
CountDownLatch latch = new CountDownLatch(2);
new Thread(() -> { [Link](); }).start();
[Link](); // Waits

43. What is CyclicBarrier?

Threads wait until all reach barrier.
CyclicBarrier cb = new CyclicBarrier(2);
new Thread(() -> { try { [Link](); } catch (Exception e) {} }).start();

44. What is BlockingQueue?

Queue that blocks on add/remove if full/empty.
BlockingQueue<Integer> q = new ArrayBlockingQueue<>(10);
[Link](1); // Blocks if full

45. What is ConcurrentHashMap?

Thread-safe HashMap with segmented locking.
ConcurrentHashMap<String, Integer> map = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
[Link]("key", 1);

Collections and Generics

46. What is the difference between fail-fast and fail-safe iterator?
• Fail-fast: Throws ConcurrentModificationException.

• Fail-safe: Works on copy, no exception.

List<String> list = new CopyOnWriteArrayList<>();
Iterator<String> it = [Link]();
[Link]("x"); // Fail-safe, no exception

47. What is CopyOnWriteArrayList?

Thread-safe ArrayList, creates copy on modification.
See Q46 example.
48. What is difference between ArrayList and LinkedList?
• ArrayList: Array-based, fast access.

• LinkedList: Node-based, fast insert/delete.

List<String> al = new ArrayList<>();
List<String> ll = new LinkedList<>();

49. Difference between HashMap and Hashtable?

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 • HashMap: Non-synchronized, allows null.

• Hashtable: Synchronized, no nulls.

HashMap<String, Integer> hm = new HashMap<>();
[Link](null, 1); // Valid

50. Difference between HashSet and TreeSet?

• HashSet: Unordered, faster.

• TreeSet: Sorted, slower.

Set<String> hs = new HashSet<>();
Set<String> ts = new TreeSet<>();

51. Difference between HashMap and TreeMap?

• HashMap: Unordered, faster.

• TreeMap: Sorted, slower.

Map<String, Integer> hm = new HashMap<>();
Map<String, Integer> tm = new TreeMap<>();

52. Difference between Iterator and ListIterator?

• Iterator: Forward-only, any collection.

• ListIterator: Bidirectional, List only.

List<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
ListIterator<String> li = [Link]();
[Link]("x");

53. What is Type Erasure?

Generics removed at compile-time, replaced with Object/bounds.
List<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
// Compiled as List<Object>

54. What is Heap Pollution?

Assigning raw type to parameterized type, causing type safety issues.
List list = new ArrayList<String>(); // Raw type
[Link](1); // Heap pollution

Java 8 Features
55. What are default methods in interface?
Methods with implementation in interfaces.
interface Example {
default void show() { [Link]("Default"); }
}

56. What is Functional Interface?

Interface with one abstract method.
@FunctionalInterface
interface Example {
void show();
}

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 57. What is lambda expression?
Anonymous function for functional interfaces.
Example e = () -> [Link]("Lambda");

58. What is method reference?

Shorthand for lambdas.
List<String> list = [Link]("a", "b");
[Link]([Link]::println);

59. What is Stream API?

Processes collections functionally.
List<Integer> list = [Link](1, 2, 3);
[Link]().filter(n -> n > 1).forEach([Link]::println);

60. What is Optional class?

Handles nullable values, avoids NullPointerException.
Optional<String> opt = [Link](null);
[Link]([Link]("Default"));

Miscellaneous
61. What is tight coupling and loose coupling?
• Tight: Direct class dependencies.

• Loose: Via interfaces.

interface Service { void execute(); }
class Client { Service s; Client(Service s) { this.s = s; } } // Loose

62. What is Dependency Injection?

Providing dependencies externally.
See Q61 example.
63. What is Enum in Java?
Fixed set of constants.
enum Day { MON, TUE }

64. What is Assertion in Java?

Tests assumptions, disabled in production.
assert x > 0 : "x must be positive";

65. Can we overload or override static methods in Enum?

Overload yes, override no (static).
enum Example {
ONE;
static void show() {}
static void show(int x) {} // Overload
}

66. What is the purpose of transient keyword?

Skips variable in serialization.
class Example implements Serializable {
transient int x;
}

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67. What is the purpose of volatile keyword?
Ensures variable visibility across threads.
volatile boolean flag = false;

68. Difference between Comparable and Comparator?

• Comparable: compareTo in class.

• Comparator: Separate class, compare.

class Person implements Comparable<Person> {
int age;
public int compareTo(Person p) { return [Link] - [Link]; }
}

69. What is Serialization and Deserialization?

• Serialization: Object to byte stream.

• Deserialization: Byte stream to object.

class Example implements Serializable {}

70. What is SerialVersionUID?

Ensures serialization compatibility.
class Example implements Serializable {
private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
}

71. What is Externalizable interface?

Custom serialization.
class Example implements Externalizable {
public void writeExternal(ObjectOutput out) {}
public void readExternal(ObjectInput in) {}
}

72. Difference between checked and unchecked exception?

• Checked: Must be handled/declared.

• Unchecked: Optional handling.

void method() throws IOException {} // Checked
void method2() throws RuntimeException {} // Unchecked

73. What is the purpose of instanceof operator?

Checks object type.
if (obj instanceof String) {}

74. What is ClassLoader?

Loads classes dynamically.
Class<?> c = [Link]().loadClass("Example");

75. Can we have multiple catch blocks for a single try block?
Yes.
try {} catch (IOException e) {} catch (SQLException e) {}

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76. What is finally block and when it is executed?
Executes after try-catch.
try {} catch (Exception e) {} finally { [Link]("Cleanup"); }

77. Difference between final and effectively final?

• final: Explicitly immutable.

• Effectively final: Not modified after initialization.

final int x = 10;
int y = 20; // Effectively final if not reassigned

78. What is Reflection API?

Inspects/modifies classes at runtime.
Class<?> c = [Link]("[Link]");

79. What is cloning and how to implement it?

Creates object copy via clone().
class Example implements Cloneable {
@Override
protected Object clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException {
return [Link]();
}
}

80. Difference between shallow copy and deep copy?

• Shallow: Copies references.

• Deep: Copies objects.

class Example implements Cloneable {
int[] arr = {1, 2};
@Override
protected Object clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException {
Example e = (Example) [Link]();
[Link] = [Link](); // Deep copy
return e;
}
}

81. What is Garbage Collection and how it works?

Reclaims memory of unused objects (mark-and-sweep).
[Link](); // Suggests GC

82. What is OutOfMemoryError?

Thrown when heap is full.
List<Object> list = new ArrayList<>();
while (true) [Link](new Object()); // May cause OutOfMemoryError

83. Difference between == and equals?

• ==: Reference comparison.

• equals: Content comparison.

11
 String s1 = new String("a");
String s2 = new String("a");
[Link](s1 == s2); // False
[Link]([Link](s2)); // True

84. What is hashCode and equals contract?

Equal objects must have same hashCode.
class Example {
@Override
public boolean equals(Object o) { return true; }
@Override
public int hashCode() { return 1; }
}

85. Can we override equals and not hashCode?

Yes, but breaks contract.
See Q84 example.
86. What is immutable class?
Objects can’t be modified after creation.
See Q87 example.
87. How to create immutable class?
final class, private final fields, no setters.

final class Immutable {

private final int x;
Immutable(int x) { this.x = x; }
int getX() { return x; }
}

88. What is Singleton class and how to implement it?

Single instance class.
class Singleton {
private static final Singleton INSTANCE = new Singleton();
private Singleton() {}
public static Singleton getInstance() { return INSTANCE; }
}

89. How to break singleton class?

Via reflection/serialization/cloning.
// Prevent via readResolve()
class Singleton implements Serializable {
private Object readResolve() { return getInstance(); }
}

90. What is double checked locking in Singleton?

Reduces synchronization overhead.
class Singleton {
private static volatile Singleton instance;
private Singleton() {}
public static Singleton getInstance() {
if (instance == null) {
synchronized ([Link]) {
if (instance == null) {
instance = new Singleton();

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 }
}
}
return instance;
}
}

91. What is Enum Singleton?

Thread-safe singleton using enum.
enum Singleton {
INSTANCE;
void show() {}
}

92. What is Serialization Proxy Pattern?

Uses proxy for serialization.
class Example implements Serializable {
private Object writeReplace() { return new Proxy(); }
private static class Proxy implements Serializable {}
}

93. What is Thread Safe Singleton?

Singleton safe for multi-threading.
See Q90 example.
94. Difference between static class and singleton class?
• Static class: No instance.

• Singleton: Single instance.

See Q88 example.
95. What is Java Memory Model?
Defines thread-memory interactions.
No code example needed.
96. What is happens-before relationship?
Ensures visibility/ordering.
volatile int x = 0; // Establishes happens-before

97. What is escape analysis?

Allocates objects on stack if they don’t escape.
No code example needed.
98. What is String pool?
Stores unique string literals in heap.
String s1 = "hello";
String s2 = "hello"; // Same reference

99. What is String intern?

Adds string to pool.
String s = new String("hello").intern();

100. What is StringBuilder and StringBuffer?

- StringBuilder: Non-thread-safe, faster.
- StringBuffer: Thread-safe, slower.

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StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder("hello");
StringBuffer sbf = new StringBuffer("hello");

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