Top 40 Core Java Interview Questions with
Professional Answers
This document contains scripted answers for Core Java interview questions, designed to help you make a strong
impression during technical interviews. Each answer begins with "Sir," to maintain a respectful and professional
tone.
Questions 1-5: Fundamentals
1. What is Java?
"Sir, Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. It is designed
to be platform independent using the concept of 'Write Once, Run Anywhere': Java code is compiled to bytecode,
which can be executed on any operating system with a Java Virtual Machine. Its robust security features,
automatic memory management, and extensive standard libraries enable Java to power enterprise, web, and
mobile applications globally."
2. What are the main features of Java?
"Sir, Java offers several outstanding features: it is object-oriented for clean modular code, platform independent
through JVM execution of bytecode, supports automatic garbage collection for effective memory management,
provides strong exception handling for reliable software, has multithreading capabilities for high performance, and
includes a vast library for everything from data structures to networking and security. These features have made
Java a top choice for companies worldwide."
3. What is Platform Independence in Java?
"Sir, platform independence means that Java code, once compiled into bytecode, can run on any operating
system equipped with a Java Virtual Machine. The JVM translates bytecode into machine code understood by the
respective system, enabling true 'Write Once, Run Anywhere' functionality. This unique characteristic sets Java
apart from platform-dependent languages and is a major reason behind its widespread adoption."
4. What is JVM, JDK, and JRE? Explain the differences.
"Sir, JVM stands for Java Virtual Machine—it executes Java bytecode and manages resources like memory at
runtime. JRE, the Java Runtime Environment, contains the JVM and standard class libraries needed to run
applications. JDK, or Java Development Kit, includes the JRE plus tools like compiler and debugger, making it
essential for developing Java programs. In simple terms, JVM runs code, JRE provides the runtime environment,
and JDK enables development."
5. Explain OOPS Concepts in Java.
"Sir, Java's foundation rests on four fundamental object-oriented programming concepts: Encapsulation,
Inheritance, Polymorphism, and Abstraction. Encapsulation involves bundling data and methods inside classes;
inheritance allows code reuse and hierarchical relationships; polymorphism lets objects take many forms through
method overloading and overriding; and abstraction exposes only essential features to the user while hiding
implementation details. Mastering these concepts leads to well-structured, scalable Java applications."
Questions 6-10: Core Concepts
6. Explain Class, Object, Method.
"Sir, in Java, a class is a blueprint that defines the structure and behavior of objects. An object is a real-world
entity created based on a class, and it holds the state and can perform actions as defined by the class. Methods
are functions written inside classes; they define the specific behaviors or operations objects can perform. For
example, a 'Car' class can have objects like 'myCar' or 'yourCar', and methods like 'drive()' or 'brake()' to define
those actions."
7. What is Encapsulation?
"Sir, encapsulation in Java refers to the practice of wrapping data and the associated methods into a single unit,
namely a class. Encapsulation shields the internal state of the object by restricting access through private
variables and exposing behavior via public getter and setter methods. This guarantees data protection, improves
modularity, and allows developers to enforce controlled access and validation—making software more robust and
secure."
8. What are the different data types used in Java?
"Sir, Java supports eight primitive data types: byte, short, int, long, float, double, char, and boolean. These directly
represent values and offer high performance and memory efficiency. In addition, Java has reference or non-
primitive data types like String, Array, and custom objects. Using appropriate data types ensures optimized
memory usage, better performance, and strong type safety throughout development."
9. What is the range of int data type?
"Sir, the 'int' data type in Java is a 32-bit signed integer. It can store integer values ranging from -2,147,483,648 to
2,147,483,647. The 'int' type is often used for numeric calculations, loop counters, and cases requiring moderate
memory consumption and a wide range of values."
10. Explain Wrapper Classes in Java.
"Sir, wrapper classes in Java like Integer, Double, and Boolean allow primitive data types to be used as objects.
They provide useful methods, enable storage of primitive values in data structures that require objects, and
facilitate type conversions, such as parsing strings to numbers. Wrapper classes play a vital role in Java
collections and support features like autoboxing and unboxing, enhancing the language's flexibility and utility."
Questions 11-20: Advanced Concepts
11. How is the Scanner class used in Java?
"Sir, the Scanner class is used to read user input from various sources like keyboard, files, or streams, and it
belongs to the java.util package. By creating a Scanner object and using methods such as nextInt(), nextLine(), or
nextDouble(), we can easily parse primitive types and strings from the input, enabling robust interactivity for
console-based applications."
12. What are the main methods of Scanner class?
"Sir, the Scanner class offers several key methods for input parsing: next() reads a single word; nextLine()
retrieves an entire line including spaces; nextInt() reads an integer; nextDouble() reads a double; and hasNext() is
used to check for more input. These versatile methods make the Scanner class ideal for reading and validating
different types of user input."
13. What is inheritance?
"Sir, inheritance in Java is the OOP mechanism whereby a child class acquires properties and behaviors of a
parent class using the 'extends' keyword. This enables code reuse, hierarchical classifications, and runtime
polymorphism. Inheritance allows us to build complex systems efficiently by leveraging existing functionality."
14. How can you access methods/data from another class?
"Sir, to access members of another class in Java, we typically create an object of that class and use the object
reference to call its methods or access its variables, provided they are declared with sufficient access permission
—public, protected, or default. This technique supports modularity and clear separation of concerns in Java
programs."
15. What is polymorphism?
"Sir, polymorphism in Java enables objects to be treated as instances of their parent class, allowing a single
interface to represent different underlying forms. It can be achieved through method overloading (compile-time)
and method overriding (runtime), making code more flexible, reusable, and easier to maintain."
16. Difference between method overloading and method overriding?
"Sir, method overloading means defining multiple methods with the same name in a class but with different
parameters, resolved at compile-time. Method overriding involves redefining a method from a superclass in a
subclass with the same signature, resolved at runtime to enable dynamic behavior. Overloading promotes
flexibility; overriding enables runtime polymorphism."
17. What is abstraction?
"Sir, abstraction in Java is the process of hiding internal implementation details while exposing only essential
features, typically via abstract classes or interfaces. It simplifies complexity, focuses on what an object does, and
allows changes in implementation without affecting user interaction or dependent code."
18. Difference between interface and abstract class?
"Sir, an abstract class can contain both abstract and concrete methods, as well as member variables; a class can
extend only one abstract class. An interface contains only abstract methods (until Java 8, which allows default and
static methods) and constants, and a class can implement multiple interfaces. Interfaces offer 100% abstraction,
while abstract classes allow partial abstraction."
19. What are constructors? Types of constructors?
"Sir, constructors are special methods in Java used to initialize objects when they are created; they have the
same name as the class and no return type. There are two main types: default constructors, which Java provides
if none is defined, and parameterized constructors, which accept arguments to set initial object state."
20. What is the 'this' keyword?
"Sir, the 'this' keyword in Java is a reference variable referring to the current object within a method or
constructor. It is used to distinguish instance variables from parameters, invoke current class methods or
constructors, and improve code clarity, especially in cases of variable shadowing or chaining constructors."
Questions 21-30: Exception Handling
21. What is an Exception?
"Sir, an exception in Java is an event that disrupts the normal flow of a program's execution. It represents an
abnormal condition like runtime errors, system crashes, or invalid user input. Exceptions enable developers to
handle such unexpected situations gracefully, ensuring the program remains robust and does not terminate
abruptly."
22. How are exceptions handled in Java?
"Sir, exceptions in Java are handled using the try-catch-finally mechanism. Code that might throw an exception is
placed inside the try block. The catch block intercepts and manages specific exceptions, allowing the program to
recover or log the issue. The finally block executes code that must run regardless, such as closing resources,
ensuring proper cleanup even in case of errors."
23. What is the difference between checked and unchecked exceptions?
"Sir, checked exceptions are checked by the compiler at compile-time, and methods must either handle or
declare them using 'throws'. These exceptions represent recoverable conditions like FileNotFoundException.
Unchecked exceptions occur during runtime and include errors like NullPointerException; they do not require
explicit handling, as they usually indicate programming bugs or logic errors."
24. What is the throw keyword?
"Sir, the 'throw' keyword in Java is used to explicitly throw an exception from a method or block. It allows us to
create custom error conditions and transfer control to the nearest appropriate catch block. It is important for
implementing fine-grained error handling and enforcing business rules within application logic."
25. What is the throws keyword?
"Sir, the 'throws' keyword is used in a method signature to declare that the method may throw one or more
exceptions. It informs the caller that they must handle or propagate these exceptions, enabling checked exception
handling and improving code clarity and reliability."
26. What is a finally block?
"Sir, the finally block in Java is a code segment that follows try-catch blocks and executes regardless of whether
an exception was thrown or caught. It is generally used for cleanup activities like releasing resources or closing
connections, ensuring vital code runs even if errors occur."
27. Difference between final, finally, and finalize?
"Sir, 'final' is a keyword used to declare constants, preventing inheritance or method overriding. 'finally' is a block
that executes after try-catch for cleanup. 'finalize' is a method called by the garbage collector before an object is
destroyed, though it's deprecated and seldom used in modern Java practices."
28. Why do we need exception handling?
"Sir, exception handling is essential to maintain the normal flow of an application despite runtime errors. It allows
programmers to detect, manage, and recover from unexpected conditions without crashing, thereby improving
user experience and creating fault-tolerant, maintainable software."
29. What is the difference between Exception and Error?
"Sir, exceptions are conditions that programs should catch and handle, such as IOException or SQLException.
Errors, on the other hand, are serious problems often beyond application control, like OutOfMemoryError, which
typically should not be caught as they represent system-level failures."
30. How to create a custom exception?
"Sir, to create a custom exception, we extend the Exception class (for checked exceptions) or RuntimeException
class (for unchecked exceptions). We can then define specific constructors and additional fields or methods as
needed. Custom exceptions allow us to model application-specific errors clearly and facilitate more precise error
handling."
Questions 31-40: Multithreading
31. What is a thread?
"Sir, a thread is the smallest unit of execution within a program. It represents a separate path of control within a
process and allows multiple operations to run concurrently within the same program, thereby improving
performance and resource utilization."
32. What is the difference between a thread and a process?
"Sir, a process is an independent execution unit with its own memory space, while a thread is a lightweight sub-
unit within a process that shares the same memory and resources with other threads of that process. Threads
enable more efficient communication and lower overhead than processes."
33. What are the benefits of multithreading?
"Sir, multithreading enhances application performance by enabling concurrent execution of tasks, leading to
better CPU utilization. It also improves responsiveness, especially in user-interface applications, by allowing
background tasks to run alongside the main program."
34. What is a thread pool?
"Sir, a thread pool is a managed collection of pre-instantiated reusable threads that can be assigned tasks as
needed. It improves system resource management by reducing the overhead of thread creation and destruction
and enhances application performance and scalability."
35. What states can a thread go through in its lifecycle?
"Sir, a thread in Java goes through several states: New (created but not started), Runnable (ready to run), Running
(actively executing), Blocked/Waiting (paused waiting for resource), and Terminated (completed execution).
Understanding these states is crucial for efficient thread management."
36. Why is thread behavior unpredictable?
"Sir, thread behavior is unpredictable because thread scheduling depends on system factors like OS, CPU, and
system load. Different executions may result in varying order and timing of thread runs, which makes handling
concurrency challenges essential for reliable software."
37. What is thread starvation?
"Sir, thread starvation occurs when a low-priority thread is perpetually denied access to CPU resources because
higher-priority threads are always prioritized. It can lead to performance issues, which can be mitigated by fair
scheduling or adjusting thread priorities."
38. Can you start a thread twice?
"Sir, no. Once a thread has been started and has completed its execution, it cannot be restarted. Attempting to
start a thread twice throws an IllegalThreadStateException. Creating a new thread instance is required for re-
execution."
39. What is a deadlock?
"Sir, a deadlock is a situation where two or more threads are blocked forever, each waiting for a resource held by
another thread. Deadlocks cause complete halt of thread execution and require careful resource management
and synchronization to avoid."
40. What is a livelock?
"Sir, a livelock occurs when threads are actively changing states and trying to acquire resources but fail to make
progress. Unlike deadlock, livelocked threads are not blocked but still fail to proceed, often due to excessive
synchronization or poor algorithm design."
Tips for Using These Answers
1. Practice Delivery: Read these answers aloud multiple times to ensure smooth delivery
2. Understand the Concepts: Don't just memorize - understand the underlying concepts
3. Be Prepared for Follow-ups: Interviewers may ask deeper questions based on your answers
4. Maintain Confidence: Speak clearly and confidently while maintaining eye contact
5. Customize if Needed: Adapt the level of technical detail based on the interviewer's
background
Good luck with your interviews!
