Are you currently in need of a proficient Android developer to join your team? Assuming you have already gone through this process before, hiring individuals with coding expertise might seem like a breeze. However, if you lack technical knowledge, it can be overwhelming to identify and recruit the right Android developer. You may come across applicants that appear to be appropriate, but without knowing the correct questions to ask, the best candidates could be overlooked. To help you make informed decisions, our Recruitment Director, Ihor, has assembled a list of 15 Android-related job interview questions to guide you to success.
Why Opt for Android for Your Mobile Application?
When it comes to businesses contemplating creating an application for either iOS or Android, choosing between the two is a crucial decision. Each operating system has its own set of pros and cons, just like other systems out there. However, Android has emerged as the predominant platform for mobile apps. This is primarily due to its vast collection of practical apps, coupled with the fact that Android-based phones typically come with a lower price point when compared to iPhones.
Were you aware that the Google Play Store for Android devices contains a staggering 2.56 million applications?
You should take into account three key benefits of developing for Android.
Android Device Market Share
Android sets itself apart from competitors such as Apple’s iOS. While it’s true that many people swear by iPhones, Android devices are more prevalent in various countries because of their affordability.
With Android currently holding 71.9% of the Mobile Operating System market share, creating an Android app presents the possibility of reaching a considerable user base.
Affordable Platform.
In comparison to other platforms, developing an application for Android is more economical. This is because the company offers its software development kit (SDK) free-of-charge. The primary expenses would be for app testing and deployment.
Reducing expenses on app development could lead to a higher return on investment, which benefits everyone involved.
Accessible and Free for all.
As a result of Android’s open source and free nature, developers have more versatility when designing apps for the platform. Depending on your company’s requirements, they may even have the ability to alter the source code and share it with other firms. The platform’s freely available source code and ease of accessibility make it a popular option for millions of developers.
When hiring individuals for Android development roles within your business, it is crucial to be discerning. With the abundance of Android developers available, it is necessary to determine the best interview questions to ask to distinguish between exceptional and outstanding candidates. To learn more, please refer to our blog post.
15 Essential Questions to Ask in Your Next Android Interview
If handling the entire hiring process for Android developers seems overwhelming, why not entrust the task to us? At Works, we take pride in finding the perfect Android developer for your team. You can be confident that we will utilize all of our resources to secure the best candidate for the position.
To aid you in attracting top-notch candidates, we have compiled a catalogue of 15 Android interview questions for seasoned developers to utilize as a blueprint while evaluating prospective hires.
What are the different services available in the Android platform?
Within an application, services are a critical component that operate in the background, persisting even when the user is not actively utilizing the app. There are three types of services:
Foreground services
that undertake actions that are noticeable to the userBackground services
that carry out operations that occur without the user’s knowledgeBound services
that offer a client-server interface that enables client components to interact with the service and receive responses.
What distinguishes the different Android permissions, and how do I configure them?
Within the Android framework, security is classified into four tiers based on the level of permissions:
At the initial stage, which is labeled ‘normal,’ apps are given permission to use specific, restricted features at the application level with a lower associated risk.
This permission is classified as Level 2 in terms of potential risk. Users can be notified and requested to give their consent before the application proceeds.
Third, if the requesting app employs the same certificate as the app that declared the authorization, the system will approve the permission.
The signature or system authorization is granted by the Android system to only those programs that are either part of the system image or have been signed using the same certificate as the app that declared the permission.
Explain the concept of Android data binding.
By means of a declarative syntax, the Data Binding Library facilitates linking UI elements in layouts to data sources in your application.
Usually, activities define layouts using code that invokes the UI framework’s APIs. As an illustration, the code snippet below employs findViewByld() to locate a TextView widget and link it to the username property of the viewModel variable.
Android Data Binding serves to augment code clarity, minimize coupling, and leverage custom views and attributes, thereby eliminating redundancy.
What sets Handlers, AsyncTasks, and Threads apart from each other?
The Handler class establishes a direct communication link when registered with a thread. The AsyncTask class simplifies the development of background processes and their synchronization with the main thread. Finally, Threads are the primary multitasking units.
What is meant by the term ThreadPool?
ThreadPools can help improve efficiency in situations where multiple tasks need to be executed concurrently. Instead of using a single thread to queue up various activities, ThreadPools enable the creation of a group of worker threads, which can limit the effort required to spawn and terminate threads when they are no longer necessary.
What are the primary distinctions between a fragment and an activity?
An activity refers to a “single, self-contained task that a user can perform” (such as sending an email). While certain games and quests may be relatively simple, others, particularly those created by third-party developers, may be very complex to accomplish. To achieve various objectives, such as generating modularized code, implementing intricate user interfaces, and creating larger displays, the Fragment class can be employed in Activity implementations.
A Fragment is an autonomous section of an activity that is capable of functioning independently and receiving its own input events. Its lifespan is primarily determined by that of its host.
What is an ANR error, and how can it be avoided?
If an Android app remains inactive for over five seconds, it might trigger an Application Not Responding (ANR) error, frequently caused by blocking the main thread. To prevent this scenario, lengthy database or network procedures should be performed on separate threads within the app. As much processing as feasible should be diverted from the main thread.
What are the seven methods that constitute the Android activity lifecycle, and how do they function?
During an Android activity’s lifecycle, there are seven distinct methods that may be employed:
onCreate()onStart()onRestart()onResume()onPause()onStop()onDestroy()
Their purpose is to assist you in structuring your code in accordance with your activity’s anticipated behaviour over the course of its lifespan on the device.
What are the characteristics of DDMS?
The Dalvik Debug Monitor Server (DDMS) is a robust debugging tool that allows users to perform various functions, including recording screen activity, viewing heap and thread data, supervising network traffic, simulating incoming telephone calls and text messages, emulating location data, and forwarding messages.
What are the ten types of takeoffs, and how do they differ?
The procedure of attaching a fresh activity instance to an existing task is referred to as its “launch mode.” There are two methods that may be used to classify launch configurations:
A manifest file is utilised to announce an activity and specify how it should be linked to tasks. The following values are allowed:
When using startActivity(), an Intent flag may be used to define the connection between the recently launched activity and the existing activity.
Can you elaborate on the components and architecture of Android?
The components that constitute Android’s framework include:
- Linux Kernel – The essential software element that connects with the device’s hardware directly.
- Open-source libraries, such as SQLite, libc, and the WebKit browser engine, which sit on top of the Linux Kernel, provide additional features.
- The DVM, which is part of the Android runtime and equivalent to the Native libraries, enables each Android app to operate in its own processes.
- The Application Framework offers a variety of top-level services, including the Activity Manager, Content Providers, Resource Manager, Notification Manager, and View System.
- The Android app constitutes the uppermost layer of the application stack.
This article elucidates the ViewHolder design pattern. Why is it significant?
To minimize the number of calls to the view resource findViewById(), you can employ a design pattern known as ViewHolder. By retaining a reference to the view resource’s ID, employing ViewHolders can enhance application performance and eliminate the need for frequent resource access.
Is there a way to create a multi-threaded Android app that does not involve using the Thread class?
If you only need to override the run() function and not any other Thread methods, then using Runnable is the best approach for constructing a multi-threaded app.
What is the primary difference between ListView and RecyclerView?
Unlike in RecyclerView, ViewHolder pattern is not obligatory in ListView. Besides, RecyclerView is not restricted to vertical scrolling lists unlike ListView, which permits only vertical scrolling.
What are the three common scenarios in which an intent is frequently used?
An intent may be employed for:
- Using the startActivity() method and sending an Intent is one approach to establish a new Activity instance.
- Through sending an Intent to startService, a service can be launched to perform a specific task (such as downloading a file).
- In order to dispatch a message through broadcasting, we advise all relevant applications to employ the Intent provided for sendBroadcast(), sendOrderedBroadcast(), or sendStickyBroadcast().
Unsure how to conduct a productive interview? Works can be of assistance.
It is normal to feel underprepared for employment interviews or uncertain about how to locate suitable Android developers for your company. With Silicon Valley salaries being beyond the reach of many organizations, the IT industry is fiercely competitive when it comes to finding and retaining competent individuals.
We are thrilled to declare that Works is now available to offer you a remote staffing solution that focuses on locating the most qualified and appropriate Android developers to work remotely for your organization. We recognize the significance of hiring individuals who are not just qualified, but also passionate about the work you do. Do not hesitate, get in touch with us today to learn more about our services.
