GitHub Software Engineer Interview Questions

I would use a priority queue if there are many lists, because it lets me efficiently pick the next smallest element. If there are only two lists, a simple two-pointer merge is enough. The best answer depends on both input size and how often the operation runs.

I would start by clarifying whether the product needs strong consistency, eventual consistency, or something in between. Then I would design around the trade-offs between correctness, latency, and availability. A good answer shows that consistency is a product decision as much as a technical one.

I would store flag definitions centrally, evaluate them quickly at runtime, and make sure changes can roll out safely. Then I would add targeting, percentage rollout, auditability, and a clean fallback path. A strong system makes experimentation and controlled release much easier.

I would separate event generation from delivery so notifications can be reliable even when traffic grows. Then I would support user preferences, batching, retries, and delivery tracking. The design should make sure important events arrive without overwhelming users.

I would first understand the behavior with profiling and measurements instead of guessing. Then I would identify the hot path, inspect the data flow, and make one change at a time so I know what helped. A good answer shows discipline and respect for evidence.