Interview questions in Mobile Dev, page 13
Handling async API calls in Redux
Middleware intercepts dispatched actions, Thunk dispatches functions for simple flows, Saga uses generators for complex orchestration.
Explain the Coordinator pattern and the navigation problem it solves in MVC
This tests if you see view controllers bloat from absorbing navigation flow. A good answer names 3 problems (delegate bloat, massive view controllers, embedded routing) and says coordinators own creation and routing.
Handle taps on a non-button Container: GestureDetector vs InkWell
This tests gesture propagation and Material feedback. Use GestureDetector for raw taps, drags, or scales; InkWell for Material ripples, which needs a Material ancestor. Red flag: InkWell without Material or ignoring GestureDetector drag support.
Explain the difference between LinearLayout, RelativeLayout, and FrameLayout
Understanding of ViewGroup measurement and simplicity versus flexibility tradeoffs. LinearLayout for 1D lists, RelativeLayout for complex sibling rules, FrameLayout for single-child or overlap.
LinearLayout vs. RelativeLayout vs. FrameLayout
This tests your knowledge of fundamental View layouts and performance trade-offs. Define LinearLayout (single axis), RelativeLayout (relative positioning), and FrameLayout (stacking), giving a clear use case for each.
LinearLayout vs. RelativeLayout vs. FrameLayout: Explain and give use cases
Tests your grasp of classic Android layouts and performance trade-offs. A good answer defines each, gives a clear use case, and mentions layout_weight. A red flag is proposing nested LinearLayouts for complex UIs, ignoring performance.
Redux versus Zustand state management
Redux uses actions, reducers, and a Provider with structured boilerplate; Zustand offers a minimal hook-based store with no provider and selective subscriptions.
Pass data back from a modally presented view controller delegate versus closure
This tests decoupled UIKit communication and memory safety. A strong answer outlines a weak delegate protocol and a closure with weak self, contrasting coupling and retain cycles. Red flag: singletons or direct parent references.
How do you retrieve and listen to TextField changes in Flutter?
Use TextEditingController, attach to TextField, listen with addListener, read controller.text, dispose in State.dispose.
Difference between Style and Theme, and how ?attr/ resolves vs @color/
Probes Android resource indirection depth. A style targets one View; a theme targets a Context. ?attr/ resolves dynamically against the current theme at runtime, but @color/ is a static compile-time constant. Red flag: saying both resolve the same way.
Android Style vs. Theme and Attribute Resolution
Tests your grasp of Android's resource scope and resolution timing. A Style targets a single View, while a Theme applies to a whole Context. @color/ is a direct, compile-time link; ?attr/ is an indirect pointer resolved against the Theme at runtime.
Styles vs. Themes and Attribute Resolution in Android
This tests your grasp of Android's resource indirection. A Style is a set of attributes for one View type. A Theme is a collection of named attributes for an app or Activity. ?attr is resolved at runtime against the Theme, while @color is a direct.
Memoized selectors with Reselect
Selectors encapsulate state reads, Reselect memoizes computed results by input identity, preventing recomputation and unnecessary re-renders.
Handle a deep link URL in SceneDelegate and navigate to order detail.
Handles willConnectTo and openURLContexts; parses path with URLComponents; validates ID; pushes detail onto nav stack.
Explain the validator property in TextFormField and what triggers error display
Tests Form validation lifecycle knowledge. Strong answer: validator returns String? error or null; formKey.currentState.validate() triggers all fields; returned string renders as inline error.
How does ConstraintLayout enable flat responsive UIs with chains and barriers?
It tests constraint-based positioning and flat hierarchy performance. A strong answer covers relative constraints replacing nested layouts, chains for distributing groups, and barriers for dynamic alignment to extreme edges.
Explain ConstraintLayout, Chains, and Barriers
Tests your grasp of performant Android UIs. Explain how ConstraintLayout flattens hierarchy, use chains to distribute groups of views (e.g., packed), and use barriers to align elements against dynamic content.
How does ConstraintLayout enable complex, responsive UIs?
Tests your grasp of modern Android UI performance and responsiveness. Explain how relative positioning flattens hierarchies, then define chains for distributing space and barriers for handling dynamic content size.
State normalization for relational data
Store entities by id in lookup tables, reference relationships by id, avoid nesting and duplication.
How do you pop to root in SwiftUI NavigationStack?
This tests declarative state-driven navigation. A strong answer binds NavigationStack to a NavigationPath, passes the binding down, and clears the path to pop to root. A red flag is suggesting UIKit popToRootViewController or legacy isActive hacks.
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