Explain Vector, Linked List, and Polymorphism
Intercontinental ExchangeSoftware Engineer · Technical ScreenLast updated
This question evaluates competency in C++ data structures and object-oriented polymorphism, testing understanding of dynamic array versus linked-list memory layouts, random access and insertion/deletion performance, cache locality, iterator invalidation, typical use cases, and distinctions between compile-time and runtime polymorphism including overloading, templates, inheritance, and virtual functions. It is commonly asked in software engineering fundamentals interviews to assess reasoning about performance and design trade-offs in C++ systems code; the domain is C++ programming, data structures, and OOP, and the level of abstraction spans both conceptual understanding and practical application.
In a C++ interview, explain the differences between a dynamic array container such as std::vector and a linked-list-based container such as std::list.
Your answer should cover:
- Memory layout
- Random access performance
- Insertion and deletion trade-offs
- Cache locality
- Iterator invalidation
- Typical use cases
Also explain what polymorphism means in C++, including:
- The difference between compile-time and runtime polymorphism
- How function overloading, templates, inheritance, and virtual functions relate to polymorphism
- When dynamic dispatch is useful in practice
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