Название: Concurrent Programming Interviews: A Practical Guide to Becoming the Standout CandidateАвтор: Bonan Liu
Издательство: Apress
Год: 2025
Страниц: 266
Язык: английский
Формат: pdf (true), epub (true), mobi
Размер: 10.1 MB
Ace your software engineering job interviews by preparing yourself for the concurrent programming rounds. This book fills the gap in practical resources designated for concurrency interview prep. It simplifies complex concepts in C++ and provides example questions to help you approach your interview with confidence.
Today, interviews for software engineering roles typically include several different rounds: coding, system design, behavioral, and domain knowledge. The domain knowledge round can vary based on the job description, but one extremely common focus is concurrent programming. While not intended to be a comprehensive reference, this book distills the essential interview insights drawn from author Bonan Liu's personal experiences to stand out from the competition. Key topics include mutexes and locks, condition variables, thread abstraction, STL features, and lock-free implementations, with each concept reinforced through practical exercises like building a file handler cache and implementing read/write locks.
I chose C++ as the primary language because of its close alignment with core operating system concepts. However, I believe the book will still be valuable even if you’re using a different programming language. All source code is available for download at Apress’s GitHub repository. I’ve also made an effort to keep each chapter concise and laser-focused on the most important information. If you’re pressed for time, I recommend focusing on Chapters 1–4 before your interview.
This book primarily utilizes features from C++11, with occasional references to C++20, particularly when these features are relevant to our examples. It is important to recognize that concurrent programming in interview settings often differs from real-world applications. In interviews, candidates are sometimes asked to implement certain functionalities without relying on built-in language features, as a means of assessing coding skills, depth of knowledge, and critical thinking abilities. Consequently, this book will emphasize problem-solving techniques rather than a heavy reliance on language-specific features. We will explore various approaches to solving problems, including both manual implementations and the use of available language features.
Throughout this book, we will make extensive use of the C++ Standard Template Library (STL) without depending on external frameworks. This approach is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the core principles of concurrent programming, even if it may not always align with best practices for production code. The goal is to offer a comprehensive learning experience.
There are no strict requirements regarding the operating system, Integrated Development Environment (IDE), or compiler for following along with the material. Personally, I use macOS, Visual Studio (VS) Code, and the g++ compiler for simplicity when writing code. In an actual concurrent programming interview, you will likely write code in an environment where execution is not required. However, if execution is expected, common interview platforms such as CoderPad, CodeSignal, or HackerRank typically provide a UNIX-like system with the necessary libraries installed.
Software interviews are more than just exams; they are hours-long conversations with real people. You'll not only develop a solid understanding of concurrency, but also learn how to best showcase your expertise to enhance your performance throughout the entire process, including general coding rounds.
What You Will Learn:
Acquire foundational knowledge of concurrent programming in C++.
Practice relevant interview questions for each section of this knowledge.
Develop strategies for best demonstrating learned skills in the general coding round.
Who This Book Is For:
Software engineers seeking new career opportunities, particularly SDE II, Senior SDE, and Staff SDE roles. Interviewers might also gain insight into concurrent programming to enhance the evaluation of their candidates, securing top talent.
Скачать Concurrent Programming Interviews: A Practical Guide to Becoming the Standout Candidate