Top 100 Java Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers in 2026

Interview Stage

What They Test

Time Allocated

Written / Online Round

Basic Java syntax, logic, output questions

30-45 min

Technical Round 1

OOPs, Collections, Exception Handling, Strings

45-60 min

Technical Round 2

Data Structures, Problem Solving, Core Java Coding

60 min

HR Round

Communication, Java project interest, career goals

20-30 min

Question

Answer

What is Java and why is it platform-independent?

Java compiles source code into bytecode, which runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Since the JVM is available on Windows, Linux, Mac, and other platforms, the same compiled program runs everywhere without recompilation. This is the famous ‘Write Once, Run Anywhere’ property.

What is the difference between JDK, JRE, and JVM?

JVM (Java Virtual Machine) executes bytecode at runtime. JRE (Java Runtime Environment) contains the JVM plus standard libraries needed to run Java programs. JDK (Java Development Kit) includes the JRE plus development tools like the javac compiler. To develop: use JDK. To only run: use JRE.

What are primitive data types in Java?

Java has 8 primitive types: byte (8-bit), short (16-bit), int (32-bit), long (64-bit), float (32-bit decimal), double (64-bit decimal), char (16-bit Unicode), and boolean (true/false). These are stored directly in stack memory, not as objects, making them faster than wrapper classes.

What is the difference between int and Integer?

int is a primitive data type that stores a raw number directly in memory. Integer is a wrapper class (object) that wraps an int value and provides utility methods like parseInt(), compareTo(), and MAX_VALUE. Integer is needed when working with collections like ArrayList, which cannot store primitives.

What does the static keyword mean in Java?

static means the member belongs to the class itself, not to any specific object instance. A static variable is shared across all instances. A static method can be called without creating an object. The main method is static because the JVM needs to call it before any object is created.

What is the difference between == and .equals() in Java?

== compares memory references (addresses) for objects, so it checks if two variables point to the exact same object. .equals() compares the actual content or value. For Strings: “hello” == “hello” may return false if the strings are in different memory locations, but “hello”.equals(“hello”) always returns true.

OOPs Concept

Plain Definition

Real-World Example

Encapsulation

Wrapping data (variables) and methods into one unit (class) and restricting direct access using access modifiers.

A bank account class with private balance and public deposit()/withdraw() methods – you cannot directly change the balance.

Inheritance

A child class inherits properties and behaviors from a parent class, enabling code reuse.

A Dog class extends Animal class and inherits breathe() and eat() methods while adding its own bark() method.

Polymorphism

One method or object behaving differently in different contexts. Two types: compile-time (method overloading) and runtime (method overriding).

A Shape class with a draw() method. Circle, Rectangle, and Triangle each override draw() differently.

Abstraction

Hiding implementation details and showing only essential features to the user.

You use a TV remote without knowing the internal circuit logic. The interface (buttons) is exposed; the complexity is hidden.

Question

Answer

What is the difference between method overloading and method overriding?

Overloading: same method name, different parameters, happens in the same class (compile-time polymorphism). Overriding: a child class provides its own implementation of a parent’s method with the same signature (runtime polymorphism). Overloading is resolved at compile time; overriding is resolved at runtime.

What is an abstract class in Java?

An abstract class cannot be instantiated. It can have abstract methods (no body) that must be implemented by subclasses, and concrete methods with full implementations. Use abstract classes when subclasses share common behavior but need to implement certain methods differently.

What is an interface in Java?

An interface is a contract that defines method signatures without implementations. A class that implements an interface must provide implementations for all its methods. From Java 8 onward, interfaces can also have default and static methods with implementations. A class can implement multiple interfaces, enabling multiple inheritance of type.

What is the difference between abstract class and interface?

Abstract class supports constructors, instance variables, and partial implementation. A class can extend only one abstract class. Interface supports only constants and abstract methods (pre-Java 8) and can be implemented by multiple classes. Use abstract class for IS-A relationships with shared code. Use interface for CAN-DO behavior contracts.

Question

Answer

What is a constructor in Java?

A constructor is a special method that shares the class name and runs automatically when an object is created. It initializes object state. Unlike regular methods, constructors have no return type. If you do not write one, Java provides a default no-argument constructor automatically.

What is constructor overloading?

Constructor overloading means defining multiple constructors in the same class with different parameter lists. This lets you create objects in different ways. Example: Person() creates a person with defaults, Person(String name) sets name only, Person(String name, int age) sets both.

Can a constructor be private?

Yes. A private constructor prevents object creation from outside the class. This is used in the Singleton design pattern to ensure only one instance of a class exists. The class itself can still create an instance using a static factory method.

What is constructor chaining?

Constructor chaining is calling one constructor from another. In the same class, use this() to call another constructor. In a subclass, use super() to call the parent class constructor. Constructor chaining avoids code duplication during initialization.

Collection

Backed By

Ordered?

Allows Duplicates?

Thread-Safe?

Best Use Case

ArrayList

Dynamic array

Yes (insertion order)

Yes

No

Fast random access, frequent reads

LinkedList

Doubly linked list

Yes (insertion order)

Yes

No

Frequent insertions/deletions

HashSet

HashMap internally

No

No

No

Unique elements, fast lookup

LinkedHashSet

LinkedHashMap

Yes (insertion order)

No

No

Unique + ordered elements

TreeSet

Red-Black tree

Yes (sorted)

No

No

Sorted unique elements

HashMap

Array of linked lists

No

Keys: No, Values: Yes

No

Key-value pairs, fast lookup

LinkedHashMap

HashMap + linked list

Yes (insertion order)

Keys: No

No

LRU cache, ordered map

TreeMap

Red-Black tree

Yes (sorted by key)

Keys: No

No

Sorted key-value pairs

Question

Answer

What is the difference between ArrayList and LinkedList?

ArrayList uses a resizable array internally. Random access (get by index) is O(1) but insertion/deletion in the middle is O(n) because elements must shift. LinkedList uses doubly linked nodes. Random access is O(n) but insertion/deletion at any position is O(1) once you have the reference. Use ArrayList for most cases; LinkedList when you do lots of front/middle inserts.

How does HashMap work internally?

HashMap stores key-value pairs in an array of buckets. When you put a key, it calls hashCode() on the key to find the bucket index, then stores the entry there. If two keys hash to the same bucket (collision), they are stored in a linked list at that bucket (or a tree in Java 8+ for 8+ elements). Get retrieves by computing hashCode again, then uses equals() to find the exact key.

What is the difference between HashMap and Hashtable?

HashMap is not thread-safe and allows one null key and multiple null values. Hashtable is synchronized (thread-safe) and does not allow null keys or values. Hashtable is a legacy class from Java 1.0. For thread safety today, use ConcurrentHashMap instead of Hashtable, as it is far more performant.

What is the difference between Comparable and Comparator?

Comparable (java.lang) is implemented by the class itself. It defines the natural ordering via compareTo(). Comparator (java.util) is an external comparison strategy. Use Comparable when there is one natural sort order (e.g., String by alphabetic order). Use Comparator when you need multiple sort orders or cannot modify the class (e.g., sort Employee by salary OR name).

Question

Answer

What is an exception in Java?

An exception is an event that disrupts the normal flow of a program during runtime. Java handles exceptions through the try-catch-finally mechanism. There are checked exceptions (must be handled at compile time, e.g., IOException) and unchecked exceptions (occur at runtime, e.g., NullPointerException, ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException).

What is the difference between throw and throws?

throw is used to explicitly throw an exception from a method. throws is used in a method signature to declare that the method might throw certain checked exceptions, warning the caller to handle them. Example: public void readFile() throws IOException uses throws; inside the method, throw new IOException() uses throw.

What is the finally block?

The finally block always executes regardless of whether an exception occurred or was caught. It is used to release resources like database connections, file handles, or network sockets. With Java 7+, you can use try-with-resources, which automatically closes resources that implement AutoCloseable.

What is a custom exception?

A custom (user-defined) exception is created by extending Exception (for checked) or RuntimeException (for unchecked). Example: class InsufficientBalanceException extends RuntimeException. This lets you create meaningful, domain-specific errors that communicate intent better than generic exceptions.

What is NullPointerException and how do you prevent it?

NullPointerException (NPE) occurs when you call a method or access a field on a null reference. Prevention: always check if an object is null before use, use Optional<T> (Java 8+) to represent potentially absent values, and use @NonNull annotations. Modern IDEs also flag potential NPE locations at compile time.

Question

Answer

What is a Thread in Java?

A thread is the smallest unit of execution within a process. Java supports multithreading natively through the java.lang.Thread class and Runnable interface. Multiple threads share the same memory space, making them lighter than processes. Java programs always start with one thread – the main thread – and can spawn more.

What are the two ways to create a Thread in Java?

First: extend the Thread class and override run(). Second: implement the Runnable interface and pass it to a Thread constructor. The Runnable approach is preferred because Java does not support multiple class inheritance, so implementing Runnable keeps your class free to extend another class. Callable (from Executors) is a third way if you need a return value.

What is the synchronized keyword?

synchronized prevents multiple threads from accessing the same block or method simultaneously. When a thread enters a synchronized block, it acquires a lock on the object. Other threads must wait until the lock is released. This prevents race conditions but can reduce performance if overused. Prefer higher-level java.util.concurrent utilities for complex scenarios.

What is the difference between wait() and sleep()?

wait() is an Object method that releases the lock and waits until another thread calls notify() or notifyAll(). It is used for thread communication. sleep() is a Thread method that pauses execution for a specified time without releasing any locks. Both can throw InterruptedException. Key difference: wait() releases the lock; sleep() does not.

What is deadlock?

Deadlock occurs when two or more threads are each waiting for a lock that another thread holds, creating a circular dependency where no thread can proceed. Example: Thread A holds Lock 1 and waits for Lock 2; Thread B holds Lock 2 and waits for Lock 1. Prevention strategies: consistent lock ordering, lock timeout with tryLock(), and avoiding nested locks when possible.

Question

Answer

Why is String immutable in Java?

String objects cannot be changed after creation. Any operation like concat() or replace() creates a new String object. Immutability provides security (strings used as class names, database URLs cannot be tampered with), allows safe sharing across threads without synchronization, and enables the String Pool optimization where identical literals share one object.

What is the String Pool?

The String Pool (String Intern Pool) is a special memory area in the Java heap that stores unique String literals. When you write String s = “hello”, Java checks the pool first. If “hello” already exists, it reuses that object instead of creating a new one. This saves memory. Using new String(“hello”) bypasses the pool and creates a new object always.

What is the difference between String, StringBuilder, and StringBuffer?

String is immutable – each modification creates a new object. StringBuilder is mutable and faster for string manipulation but not thread-safe. StringBuffer is mutable and thread-safe because its methods are synchronized, but slower. Rule: use String for read-only values, StringBuilder for single-thread string building, StringBuffer only when thread safety is required.

How do you reverse a String in Java?

Common approach: new StringBuilder(str).reverse().toString(). Manual approach: iterate from last index to 0, appending each char to a StringBuilder. Alternatively, convert to char array, swap elements from both ends meeting in the middle. Interviewers often follow up with ‘without using reverse()’ – know the manual char-swap approach.

What is the difference between String.length() and String.length for arrays?

String.length() is a method (parentheses required) that returns the number of characters in a String. Arrays use .length as a property (no parentheses). ArrayList and other collections use .size(). This distinction is a classic gotcha question. Interviewers test whether you instinctively know the correct accessor for each type.

Feature

Abstract Class

Interface

Can have constructor

Yes

No

Instance variables

Yes

No (only static final constants)

Multiple inheritance

No (only one class can be extended)

Yes (a class can implement many interfaces)

Default methods

Yes (regular methods)

Yes, from Java 8 onward

Access modifiers

All types allowed

Only public (pre-Java 9)

When to use

Shared code + IS-A relationship

Shared contract + CAN-DO behavior

Question

Answer

What are default methods in interfaces (Java 8)?

Before Java 8, adding a new method to an interface broke all implementing classes. Default methods solve this: they have an implementation in the interface itself using the default keyword. Implementing classes inherit the default implementation but can override it. This enabled the Java 8 Streams API to add methods to Collection interfaces without breaking existing code.

Can an interface have a constructor?

No. Interfaces cannot be instantiated and do not have constructors. You cannot create an object of an interface directly – you create an object of a class that implements the interface. However, interfaces can have static initializers (static blocks) in Java 9+.

What is a Functional Interface?

A functional interface has exactly one abstract method. It can be used as the target for lambda expressions and method references. Java 8 introduced the @FunctionalInterface annotation. Examples include Runnable (run()), Comparator (compare()), and the new java.util.function interfaces like Predicate, Function, Consumer, and Supplier.

Java 8 Feature

What It Does

Simple Example

Lambda Expressions

Concise anonymous functions that implement functional interfaces, eliminating the need for anonymous classes.

list.forEach(s -> System.out.println(s));

Stream API

Functional-style operations on collections: filter, map, reduce, collect. Supports parallel processing easily.

list.stream().filter(s->s.startsWith(“A”)).collect(Collectors.toList());

Optional<T>

A container that may or may not contain a non-null value. Avoids NullPointerException explicitly.

Optional.ofNullable(name).orElse(“Unknown”);

Default Methods

Methods with bodies in interfaces. Enables backwards-compatible API evolution.

interface Greet { default String hello() { return “Hi”; } }

Method References

Shorthand for lambdas that call an existing method.

list.forEach(System.out::println);

Date/Time API

java.time package replaces the buggy Date and Calendar classes.

LocalDate.now() / LocalDateTime.now()

Question

Answer

What is single, multilevel, and hierarchical inheritance?

Single: one child extends one parent (class Dog extends Animal). Multilevel: chain of inheritance (class Puppy extends Dog extends Animal). Hierarchical: multiple classes extend one parent (Dog and Cat both extend Animal). Java does NOT support multiple class inheritance (one class extending two classes) to avoid the Diamond Problem.

What is the super keyword?

super refers to the immediate parent class. Use super() in a constructor to call the parent constructor. Use super.methodName() to call an overridden parent method. Use super.field to access a parent field hidden by a child field with the same name. The JVM automatically calls super() as the first statement if you do not write it explicitly.

What is method hiding vs method overriding?

Method overriding applies to instance methods: a child class provides a new implementation for a parent method. The version called depends on the actual object type at runtime. Method hiding applies to static methods: a child class can define a static method with the same signature as the parent. The version called depends on the reference type at compile time, not the actual object.

Can we override a private or static method?

No to both. Private methods are not inherited and cannot be overridden. Static methods are class-level, not instance-level; if a child defines the same static method, it is hiding, not overriding. The @Override annotation on such methods causes a compile error, which is the correct feedback.

Week

Focus Area

Topics to Cover

Practice Goal

Week 1

Java Basics & OOPs

Syntax, data types, control flow, all 4 OOPs pillars, constructors, static vs instance

Write a mini banking system class hierarchy

Week 2

Collections & Strings

List, Set, Map implementations, Iterator, Comparable vs Comparator, String immutability, StringBuilder

Implement a word frequency counter using HashMap

Week 3

Exception Handling & I/O

Checked vs unchecked, try-catch-finally, custom exceptions, File I/O basics, try-with-resources

Build a file reader with proper exception handling

Week 4

Multithreading & Java 8

Thread creation, synchronization, deadlock, Lambda, Streams, Optional, Date/Time API

Implement a thread-safe counter; rewrite using Streams