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Top 26 MEAN Stack Developer Interview Questions & Answers For Beginners & Experienced

Updated on 29 May, 2024

35.99K+ views
26 min read

With digitization gaining increasing traction in the modern-day industry, companies and brands are eager to invest in fast, dynamic, and efficient websites and applications. However, the widespread availability and accessibility to development technologies make it challenging to choose the right technology for web app development. While full-stack, front-end, and backend development have been running the forefront of web development, there’s a new star in the making – MEAN stack.  

Essentially, MEAN stack is an open-source technology that includes four JavaScript-based technologies including MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, Node.js (MEAN). By learning and mastering MEAN stack, you can enjoy the perks of a host of domains for developing web apps and dynamic websites.

MEAN is a relatively recent stack for MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js. A comprehensive JavaScript stack called MEAN is frequently used for cloud-ready apps. What is MEAN Stack Developer? A software engineer focusing on creating online applications using the so-called MEAN stack, a group of JavaScript-based technologies, is known as a MEAN Stack Developer. Learn more about MEAN stack Interview Questions for freshers & Experienced, mern stack interview questions, Stack interview questions, and stack questions here.

Since the demand for MEAN Stack Developers is growing steadily, in this post, we’re going to talk about the most commonly asked MEAN Stack developer Interview Questions for Experienced & freshers.

So, without further ado, let’s get straight into it!

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Read: Full Stack Developer Interview Questions

Top MEAN Stack Developer Interview Questions & Answers

1. What is the purpose of MongoDB?

MongoDB is a document-oriented database manager designed for storing high volumes of data. It saves data in binary JSON format and implements the concept of collection and documentation. MongoDB is a cross-platform, NoSQL database equipped with high performance, high scalability, and flexibility that allow for seamless querying and indexing.

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2. What is the purpose of ExpressJS?

ExpressJS is a web application framework designed to support and host Node.js projects. It is an open-source framework available under MIT license. ExpressJS manages the workflow between the front-end and the database and facilitates a smooth and secure transfer of data. It boasts of excellent error handling and web design functionality to optimize the web development process.

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3. What purpose does AngularJS serve?

AngularJS is an open-source front-end web application development framework that is maintained by Google. It allows Web Developers to use HTML as their template language and extend HTML syntax to represent the components of a web app clearly and precisely.

4. What is the function of Node.js?

Node.JS is an open-source, cross-platform, single-threaded JavaScript framework that is used for developing server-side and networking applications. It is the backbone of the MEAN stack. Apart from JavaScript, Node.js also used C and C++ programming languages. Node.js is equipped with an integrated web server that facilitates the smooth deployment of the MongoDB database and its cloud application.

Node. js is a platform created on the JavaScript runtime of Chrome that makes it simple to create quick and scalable network applications. It can create Node.js applications for the console and the web.modules provided by Node.js greatly facilitates the creation of web applications using Node.js.It is ideal for data-intensive real-time applications that run across dispersed devices because Node. js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O mechanism that makes it lightweight and efficient.

5. Name the IDEs that are commonly used for Node.JS development?

The most popular IDE’s that can be used for Node.JS development include:

  • Atom
  • Cloud9
  • Eclipse
  • Komodo IDE
  • JetBrainsWebStorm
  • JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA

6. What is Mongoose?

Mongoose is an Object Document Mapper (ODM), which means that by using Mongoose, you can define objects with a strongly-typed schema that can be further mapped to a MongoDB document. It offers a schema-based solution for modeling application data. Mongoose comes with built-in typecasting, validation, query building, business logic hooks, and many more out-of-the-box features.

Read: Difference between Full stack and Mean stack development

7. Define DATA modeling?

Data modeling is a term used in the context of Mongoose and MongoDB. As the name suggests, data modeling refers to the process of creating a data model for the data at hand so it can be stored in a database. A data model is a conceptual representation of data objects, the relation among different data objects, and the rules that define those relations.

Data modeling helps to represent the data visually while also enforcing business rules, regulatory compliances, and government policies on the data. It is implemented to ensure consistency in naming conventions, default values, semantics, security, and quality of the data.

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8. What is REPL In Node.Js?

REPL or “Read Eval Print Loop” is a simple program that can accept commands, evaluate them, and prints the results. What REPL does is to create an environment that is similar to a Unix/Linux shell or a Window console, wherein you can enter command and system, and it will respond with the output. Here are the functions that REPL performs:

  • READ – This reads the input provided by the user, parses it into JavaScript data structure, and stores it in the memory.
  • EVAL – This executes the data structure.
  • PRINT – This prints the outcome generated after evaluating the command.
  • LOOP – This loops the above command until the user presses Ctrl+C twice. 

9. Define Scope in JavaScript.

In JavaScript, each function has a scope, which is essentially a collection of variables and rules defining how their unique name accesses those variables. You can access a function’s scoped variables only through the code inside that function. While variables contained in a particular scope must have unique names, a scope can exist within another scope. In this case, the code of the innermost scope can access the variables contained in either of the scopes.

10. State the difference between linear search and binary search.

A linear search considers a list’s item’s one by one without jumping sequence. So, in terms of complexity, it classifies as an O(n) search wherein the time taken to search the list increases proportionally to the increase in the list. Contrary to this, a binary search starts in the middle of a list. This search aims to see whether the item value is greater than or less than the desired value.

This further determines the position of the value in the list – whether it will be in the first part or second part of the list. In terms of complexity, it classifies as an O(log n) search where the number of search operations grows relatively slowly than the list. This is mainly because the search space is broken into half in each operation.

While binary search requires you to sort the input data first, a linear list doesn’t have any such prerequisites.

11. Highlight the difference between Node.js, AJAX, and jQuery.

Node.js, AJAX, and jQuery are all advanced implementation of JavaScript. However, they have a fair share of differences.

Node.js is a server-side platform that is used for developing client-server applications while AJAX, a.k.a. Asynchronous Javascript and XML is a client-side scripting technique that is primarily used for rendering the contents of a page without refreshing it. AJAX is used mainly to showcase dynamic content. jQuery is a JavaScript module that complements AJAX, DOM traversal, and looping. It is loaded with many useful functions to aid JavaScript development.

12. Define Dependency Injection.

Dependency Injection is a software design concept that allows you to use or inject a service in ways that are independent of any client consumption. By doing so, you essentially prevent the client from modifying dependencies when the underlying service changes.

The primary purpose of dependency injection is to separate the creation of clients’ dependencies from their behavior, thereby letting you design loosely coupled programs. In a loosely coupled program, the components usually consume functionality defined by interfaces without having any prior knowledge of which implementation classes are being used.

Dependency injection allows you to modify or tweak the behavior of an application by altering the components that implement the interfaces defining an application’s features.

Dependency injection is the process of providing a resource that a specific section of code needs in object-oriented programming (OOP) software design.While adhering to the SOLID software design principles, dependency injections are helpful in producing loosely linked programmes. This decreases the frequency with which a class, a template for the methods or variables in an object, needs to be changed and increases the code’s reusability.

Detractors of dependency injection argue that it costs users by forcing them to provide configuration information when obvious defaults are readily available.

13. Define Containerization.

Containerisation is an alternative to traditional hypervisor-based machine virtualization involving the encapsulation of an application in a container within its own operating environment. In containerization, instead of cloning an operating system for individual virtual machines, it is shared by the different containers. By loading an application in a virtual machine, you can run the app on any suitable physical machine without having to worry about dependencies.

Containerization is a method of software deployment that combines the code of an application with all the necessary files and libraries to enable it to function on any infrastructure. The container functions as a sort of computing environment or bubble around the application, keeping it apart from its surroundings. In essence, it is a portable, fully working computing environment. Since containers offer an alternative to writing on a single platform or operating system, relocating their application was challenging because the code might not have been compatible with the new environment.

14. Define a Test Pyramid. How can you actualize a Test Pyramid when discussing HTTP APIs?

Usually, full-stack web apps are large and complex. They are designed to expand their functionalities to serve hundreds of different requirements of millions of users. Consequently, as the size of a full-stack codebase and the number of users grow, the cost of dealing with bugs also escalates. This, however, can be successfully mitigated by applying the concept of the test pyramid to your codebase. 

The test pyramid approach implies a radical way of thinking as to how different kinds of automated tests can and should be used to create a balanced portfolio. It emphasizes that the number of low-level UnitTests should be much more than high-level BroadStackTests running through a GUI.

When discussing HTTP APIs, you can actualize a test pyramid by following the steps mentioned below:

  • Incorporate plenty of low-level unit tests for your model.
  • Include fewer joining tests used for determining how your models collaborate with each other.
  • Include fewer acknowledgment tests used for testing genuine HTTP endpoints.

15. What purpose do Indexes serve in MongoDB?

In MongoDB, indexes are used to support and facilitate the efficient execution of queries. Without indexes, MongoDB has to perform a collection scan wherein it has to scan every document in a collection and select the appropriate documents that match the query statement. However, if each query has an appropriate index assigned to it, MongoDB can use the index to limit the number of documents it has to inspect.

16. What is the difference between Classes and Interfaces in TypeScript?

Classes and interfaces are structures that promote both object-oriented programming and also type-checking in TypeScript. While a class is a blueprint from which you can create a group of objects sharing the same configuration (properties and methods), an interface is a group of related properties and methods that describe an object. However, an interface does not provide implementation or initialization for the objects. 

Typically, a class defines what an object should look like and act like, and accordingly, it creates and implements a blueprint by initializing the class properties and defining methods. Classes are present throughout all the phases of a code. An interface, on the other hand, is a virtual structure that exists only within the context of TypeScript. The TypeScript compiler uses interfaces exclusively for type-checking. 

17. Define “Decorators” in TypeScript.

 In TypeScript, a Decorator refers to a special kind of declaration that is usually attached to a class declaration, method, accessor, property, or parameter. Decorators are functions that take their target as an argument. They allow you to run arbitrary code around the target execution or even replace the target with a new definition altogether.

18. What is meant by “Callback” in Node.js?

In Node.js, a callback is an asynchronous equivalent for a function. Node.js heavily relies on callbacks that are called at the culmination or completion of a given task. For instance, let’s assume a function that is designed for reading files may start reading files and immediately return the control to the execution environment to facilitate the execution of the next instruction.

Once the file I/O is complete, the callback function is set in motion and pass the content of the file as a parameter. This makes sure that there’s no blocking or waiting for the file I/O. It is this feature that makes Node.js highly scalable since it can process a high number of requests without waiting for the results of any function. 

All Node APIs are written in ways that they can support callbacks.

19. Define Cross-site Scripting (XSS).

Cross-site Scripting (XSS) is a client-side code injection attack wherein the malicious scripts are executed in a web browser by including malicious code in a legitimate web page or web application. It can also occur when an individual clicks on untrusted links that can pass cookies and other sensitive information to attackers.

The attack happens when you visit a webpage or a web app that executes malicious code. Hence, the webpage or web app becomes a vehicle to deliver malicious scripts to the browser of a user. 

The most commonly used vehicles for cross-site scripting attacks are forums, message boards, and even web pages that encourage users to comment.

20. Define AOT and mention its benefits.

Angular applications contain HTML templates alongside the standard components. Since the browser cannot directly understand these components and HTML templates, Angular apps must be compiled first before you can run them in a browser.

AOT compilation is the process of converting a (often) higher-level programming language into a (frequently) lower-level language prior to programme execution, typically at build time, in order to minimize the amount of work required to be done at run time.

The Angular ahead-of-time (AOT) compiler converts the Angular HTML and TypeScript code into JavaScript code during the build phase before the browser can download and runs the code. By compiling the Angular application in the build stage, you encourage the faster launch of Angular apps in the browser. 

The benefits of using AOT compiler are:

  • By using AOT, the browser can download a pre-compiled version of the application. The browser downloads executable code so that it can render the Angular application immediately, without waiting for the app to compile first.
  • Thanks to AOT, the compiler inlines external HTML templates and CSS style sheets within the application JavaScript, thereby eliminating separate AJAX requests for source files.
  • During the build stage itself, the AOT compiler detects and reports any template binding errors.
  • Since AOT compiles HTML templates and components into JavaScript files before serving them to clients, there remain no more templates to read and even no risky client-side HTML/JavaScript evaluation. This reduces the possibilities of injection attacks.

21. What is a Grid System in CSS?

In CSS, a grid system is a structure that is used for stacking content both vertically and horizontally in a consistent and manageable manner. Grid systems have two core components – rows and columns. Some of the most used grid systems include Simple, Pure, Flexbox, Bootstrap, and Foundation. 

A web layout system with two dimensions is CSS Grid Layout. It enables you to arrange content in rows and columns. It contains a variety of features that make it simple to construct intricate layouts. You can define a grid with rows and columns while making a grid layout. Then you either arrange items on that grid manually or leave it up to the browser to automatically place them in the cells you’ve defined.

Mern Stack Interview Questions

MEAN and MERN technology stack are quite similar. Therefore, a lot of companies also ask interview questions for mern stack developers along with mean stack development. As a software developer, you must prepare for both MERN interview questions and Mean stack interview questions. But before you get into that, it is important to understand what MERN is and what differences are there between MEAN and MERN stack development. 

MERN is the abbreviation for MongoDB, Express, React and Node. This stack is named after the collection of technologies that it comprises – MongoDB, Express, Node.js, and React.js. MERN stack is popularly used by software developers across the world to build apps on Java script. MongoDB works as the document database, whereas Express works as the Node.js web framework, React.js is the client side data framework, and Node.js is the Javascript server. MERN stack facilitates building scalable full-stack applications. 

The following are some of the most popular MERN stack developer interview questions that you can expect in interviews:

22. What is the difference between MERN Stack and MEAN Stack development?

MERN and MEAN are full stack frameworks. However, there are a few key differences between the two. MEAN stack includes Angular.js whereas MERN stack has React.js. MEAN is a JavaScript development stack, and MERN is an open-source JavaScript library. While MEAN uses the regular DOM, MERN stack uses virtual DOM.

23. What are pure components in MERN Stack?

Pure components in the MERN stack can be understood as normal components. The only difference is that pure components deal with shouldComponentUpdate method. The key task of pure components is to perform a comparison on props and state whenever props or state change.

24. What are the key features of Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source server environment built on Chrome’s JavaScript runtime. It is used to build applications that can be run outside a client’s browser. Some of the most common applications built with Node.js are chat applications, online video streaming platforms. The key feature of Node.js include:

  1. Single-threaded- Node.js works on a single thread to handle multiple client requests.
  2. Asynchronous- A single thread deals with the client’s request for a server. Once a request is handled, another request is dealt with. This facilitates non-blocking of requests.
  3. Scalability- Node.js asynchronous feature makes it highly scalable.

25. How are child threads handled in Node.js?

Nose.js is essentially a single-thread process and does not involve child threads. Developers do not have to worry about thread management in Node.js. However, there are certain tasks like asynchronous I/O where the developers are exposed to child threads. Such threads do not executive JavaScript code applications. Also, the main loop doesn’t get blocked. This is why thread management is not an issue in Node.js. However, if developers need thread support, they can use the ChildProcess module.

26. What is the difference between mean and full stack developer?

Aspect MEAN Stack Developer Full Stack Developer
Technologies MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, Node.js Various combinations such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue.js, Node.js, Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, .NET
Database MongoDB (NoSQL) SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Redis)
Front-end Framework Angular React, Angular, Vue.js
Back-end Framework Node.js with Express.js Node.js, Django, Flask, Ruby on Rails, Spring, .NET
Language JavaScript (throughout the stack) Multiple languages including JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, C#
Specialization Focused on the MEAN stack technologies Versatile across various technologies and stacks
Flexibility Limited to MEAN stack Broader, can adapt to various tech environments
Typical Use Cases Projects where a unified JavaScript environment is preferred Projects requiring diverse tech stacks and custom solutions

How to Prepare for MEAN and MERN Interview Questions?

One of the best ways to prepare for interview questions for mern stack developer and MEAN stack development is to read in detail about the various technologies included in the stack. You should also keep yourself updated with recent trends in MEAN and MERN stack development. 

You can also read and watch interviews online to get an idea about the most frequently asked MEAN and MERN stack interview questions. In addition to technical knowledge and skills, interviewers also assess candidates on the basis of soft skills. Therefore, it is essential to focus on enhancing soft skills like communication, teamwork, time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

You can also seek help from your peers or mentors and give mock interviews. It will help you prepare MERN interview questions.

Roles and Responsibilities of MEAN Stack Programmer

  • Grasping Client Needs

After getting through MERN interview questions and answers or interview questions for full stack Java developer next step is to embark on the journey by exploring into understanding the client’s aspirations and business requirements.

For that effective communication with the client is paramount to get insights, allowing the programmer to shape the project scope and establish realistic goals. This initial step sets the stage for a successful collaboration.

  • Crafting Efficient Applications

With a clear understanding of client requirements, the MEAN stack programmer embarks on the journey of designing and developing web applications. Leveraging MongoDB for data storage, ExpressJS for server-side operations, AngularJS for client-side scripting, and NodeJS for server-side coding, they  create cohesive and responsive application. 

Furthermore, the programmer ensures not only user-friendliness but also efficiency and scalability. For that, staying abreast of technological advancements is a continual effort, ensuring the application remains relevant and cutting-edge.

  • Rigorous Testing and Meticulous Debugging

Testing is the main points of software development, and MEAN stack programmers shoulder the responsibility of subjecting the application to rigorous examinations. They meticulously search for bugs, errors, and performance glitches, utilizing various tools and techniques to uncover and resolve issues. 

The end goal is to ensure the application functions seamlessly, meeting the expectations set during the initial client discussions.

  • Team Collaboration

MEAN stack programmers operate within a collaborative framework, working alongside front-end developers, back-end developers, UI/UX designers, and project managers. Here, team synergy is crucial to meet project timelines and client expectations. 

On top of that, embracing open communication, the programmer values feedback from team members, recognizing its role in enhancing the overall quality of the application.

  • Documentation

In the realm of software development, documentation plays an essential role. MEAN stack programmers take up the responsibility of creating and maintaining comprehensive project documentation. This encompasses writing code comments, crafting user manuals, documenting APIs, and outlining technical specifications. 

Through diligent documentation, the programmer ensures clarity in understanding the project, facilitating seamless collaboration among team members.

  • Embracing Continuous Learning

The tech world is ever-evolving, and MEAN stack programmers need to learn every new that comes their way. This means continuous learning becomes a way of life, as they strive to stay updated with the latest programming languages, tools, frameworks, and techniques. This commitment not only enriches their knowledge but also elevates their value within the organization.

  • Troubleshooting and User Support

Beyond deployment, MEAN stack programmers stand guard as they are ready to troubleshoot and provide support. This means, addressing user queries and swiftly resolving technical hiccups become part of their routine. This commitment to post-deployment support ensures the sustained smooth functioning of the application, fostering customer satisfaction.

Why Consider Becoming an MEAN Stack Programmer?

  • High Demand in the Industry

Becoming a MEAN Stack programmer is a prudent choice due to the soaring demand in the tech industry. Companies worldwide are actively seeking professionals proficient in MEAN (MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, Node.js) Stack development to build robust and scalable applications.

  • Versatility and Full-Stack Capability

MEAN Stack developers possess a versatile skill set covering both front-end and back-end technologies. This full-stack capability allows them to seamlessly work on the entire development process, from designing user interfaces with Angular to managing databases using MongoDB and handling server-side logic with Node.js.

  • Rapid Development and Maintenance

MEAN Stack accelerates the development process, enhancing efficiency and reducing time-to-market for applications. The consistent JavaScript language across all components streamlines the coding process, making it easier for developers to switch between different technologies and ensuring smoother maintenance.

  • Cost-Effective and Open Source

One of the significant advantages of MEAN Stack is its cost-effectiveness. All the components are open-source, eliminating the need for expensive licenses. This affordability makes MEAN Stack an attractive choice for startups and small businesses looking to develop high-quality applications within budget constraints.

  • Community Support and Continuous Improvement

The MEAN Stack has a vibrant and active community of developers worldwide. This community support ensures that developers have access to a wealth of resources, tutorials, and best practices. Additionally, the constant updates and improvements within the MEAN Stack ecosystem keep developers abreast of the latest trends and technologies in web development.

  • Scalability and Performance

MEAN Stack excels in scalability, allowing applications to handle a growing number of users and data. The asynchronous nature of Node.js enhances the performance of server-side operations, contributing to a seamless and responsive user experience.

Skills Needed to Become MEAN Stack Programmer

  • Mastering the Fundamentals of JavaScript

At the heart of the MEAN stack lies JavaScript, a dynamic and versatile programming language. As a MEAN stack programmer, a solid foundation in JavaScript is crucial. This includes a deep understanding of data types, variables, objects, functions, loops, arrays, and other fundamental concepts. Proficiency in utilizing DOM manipulation techniques for creating dynamic web pages is also essential.

  • Navigating MongoDB’s NoSQL

MongoDB, a NoSQL database, plays a pivotal role in MEAN stack development for storing and manipulating data. A MEAN stack programmer must grasp MongoDB intricacies, including document-oriented storage, dynamic query support, indexing, and replication. Familiarity with MongoDB query syntax and performing CRUD operations is a key competency.

  • Crafting with Express.js Expertise

Express.js, a popular web application framework in MEAN stack development, offers a robust set of features. MEAN stack programmers need hands-on experience with Express.js, understanding core concepts such as routing, middleware, templating engines, error handling, and security.

  • Unraveling AngularJS for Dynamic Interfaces

AngularJS, a front-end JavaScript framework, is vital for building dynamic and responsive user interfaces in MEAN stack development. MEAN stack programmers should possess a strong understanding of AngularJS features like two-way data binding, dependency injection, directives, filters, and controllers. Integration of AngularJS with other MEAN stack technologies is a requisite skill.

  • Mastering the Art of Node.js

Node.js, a server-side JavaScript framework, is the powerhouse for building scalable and high-performing web applications. MEAN stack programmers need a comprehensive understanding of Node.js features, including event-driven architecture, non-blocking I/O, modules, and packages. Competence in utilizing NPM (Node Package Manager) for dependency management is also essential.

  • Front-end Fluency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Beyond the mean stack interview questions or MERN stack interview questions, a MEAN stack programmer should be well-versed in front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks such as Bootstrap or Materialize. These skills are indispensable for crafting visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces in web applications.

  • Knowledge of Version Control

Experience with version control systems like Git is a must. MEAN stack programmers should be adept at tracking changes in code, collaborating with other developers, and understanding concepts like branching, merging, and conflict resolution.

  • Problem-solving Skills

Being a MEAN stack programmer demands strong problem-solving skills. Challenges are inherent in the development process, and the ability to analyze, debug code, identify errors, and implement effective solutions is crucial.

  • Embracing Continuous Learning and Adaptation

In the ever-evolving tech industry, openness to learning new technologies and adapting to changing trends is paramount. This not only ensures relevance but also enhances skills, making a MEAN stack programmer more proficient.

  • Communication and Teamwork Excellence

Lastly, effective communication and teamwork skills are indispensable for a MEAN stack programmer. Collaboration with developers, designers, and clients is a common occurrence. Strong communication and teamwork are the linchpin for smooth project execution and successful delivery.

Mean Stack Developer Salary in India

Source

City Salary
Bangalore ₹ 6.3 Lakhs
New Delhi ₹ 5.9 Lakhs
Mumbai ₹ 6.6 Lakhs
Hyderabad ₹ 6.1 Lakhs
Pune ₹ 6.2 Lakhs
Chennai ₹ 6.2 Lakhs
Noida ₹ 6.2 Lakhs
Gurgaon ₹ 6.4 Lakhs

Source

Tips to Crack the MEAN Stack Interview

Embarking on a MEAN Stack interview after getting through interview questions for MEAN stack developer? Here are eight actionable tips to ensure you shine during the process. Let’s dive in!

  • Investigate the Company

Before stepping into the interview room, delve into the company’s background. Understanding their products, services, and values not only equips you with valuable insights but also allows you to align your responses with the company’s goals. Demonstrating genuine interest in the position sets a positive tone and impresses the interviewer.

  • Know Your Resume Inside Out

Interviewers often probe your past experiences and skills. Knowing your resume inside out enables you to provide detailed explanations for each item, showcasing your expertise and reinforcing your suitability for the role.

  • Sharpen Your Coding Skills

MEAN Stack interviews typically throw a coding challenge your way. To ace it, polish your proficiency in MEAN technologies while practicing MEAN stack development previous question papers or MEAN stack developer interview questions and working on small projects. This not only prepares you for the coding challenge but also allows you to flaunt your coding prowess to the interviewer.

  • Spotlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Problem-solving is a cornerstone skill for developers. Anticipate full stack developer interview questions or java full stack interview questions that gauge your problem-solving abilities. Walk the interviewer through your thought process, elucidate how you arrived at solutions, and exemplify your knack for tackling challenges head-on.

  • Showcase Your Teamwork Skills

In the collaborative realm of MEAN Stack development, teamwork skills take center stage. During the interview, share instances of successful collaboration on projects. Highlight your contributions and how they positively impacted the team’s overall success.

  • Stay Abreast of Industry Trends

Display your commitment to staying at the forefront of MEAN Stack development by staying updated on industry trends. This not only showcases your passion for the field but also underscores your adaptability to evolving technologies.

  • Pose Intelligent Java Full Stack Developer Interview Questions

Flip the script by posing intelligent MERN interview question or mern stack developer interview questions. This not only underscores your curiosity about the company but also helps you gather crucial information about the role. Prepare a set of full stack java developer interview questions, such as inquiring about team structures or the company’s upcoming projects, to exhibit your genuine interest.

  • Dress Professionally

Your attire speaks a lot about your personality. Make a strong first impression by dressing professionally. This demonstrates your seriousness about the opportunity and your readiness to represent the company in a polished and dignified manner.

Conclusion

This is the list of our top MEAN stack developer interview questions MERN Stack developer interview questions and answers. We hope this helps you crack your next MEAN stack interview!

Mastering full-stack languages and tools are important to become a mean stack developer. The journey of being a full-stack developer is a challenging but rewarding one as well. The creative and financial opportunities truly make this one of the best careers out there is one has the passion to pursue it. If you have the passion to create intelligent chatbots, fintech wallets, and more, check out the full-stack software development PG course from upGrad.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is Crystal gaining popularity as a programming language?

Crystal is a programming language that emphasises brevity and clarity. It has a garbage collector and is statically typed and built. Its main implementation is developed in Crystal, and its syntax is influenced by Ruby and Perl. It is intended to be a useful language for programmers to use on a regular basis. Because it is statically typed, interpreted, and compiled to native code, Crystal is gaining appeal as a programming language. It also includes a trash collector, which aids with memory management. Crystal also has a burgeoning community as well as a number of libraries and frameworks to choose from.

2. Why do people prefer Python over Elixir?

Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language with a readability-focused design philosophy. It is named after the British comedy troupe Monty Python. Web development, scientific computing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and system administration are just a few of the domains where it's been used. It's also great for scripting and developing quick applications. Elixir is a programming language that runs on the Erlang virtual machine (BEAM). It has a syntax that is close to Ruby and an Erlang-compatible runtime. This is a difficult question to answer because it is dependent on the preferences and experiences of the individual. Python is preferred by some because it is more extensively used and has a larger user base. Others may favour Elixir because it is more scalable and includes concurrency support.

3. What are some frequently encountered errors in programming?

The most prevalent sort of programming fault is syntax error. When a programmer produces code that does not follow the syntax of the language, this error occurs. When code is executed but does not achieve the anticipated outcome, runtime errors occur. Inaccurate code, incorrect data, or flaws in the environment in which the code is running can all create these mistakes. Logic mistakes are flaws in the code's logic. The code may generate inaccurate results or crash as a result of these problems. When code is compiled but the compiler does not understand it, compilation errors occur. Inaccurate code, incorrect data, or flaws in the environment in which the code is running can all create these mistakes.

4. Is MEAN stack easy to learn?

Yes, MEAN stack is considered relatively easy to learn, especially for those familiar with JavaScript, since it uses JavaScript across both the client and server sides.

5. Is MEAN stack in demand?

Yes, MEAN stack is in high demand due to its efficiency in developing dynamic web applications and the popularity of JavaScript-based frameworks in the tech industry.

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Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses Step 11: Javascript Full-Stack Frameworks and the MEAN Stack Not very long ago, Backend Development used to be based on the concept of the request-response cycle. For example, the browser sent a request and the server responded by spitting out a webpage in HTML. However, since early 2010, more and more applications have become real time. The structure of an entire web page changes without refreshing and behaves dynamically based on user input and interaction (Think chat, liking, commenting, live videos and reactions, etc.). In such a scenario, a simple request-response cycle simply isn’t enough. Therefore, there has been a recent surge of interest towards asynchronous programming and making AJAX requests the norm. Javascript Frameworks tend to excel at this. So, it makes sense to get acquainted with one of the major JS frameworks available in the market. The two most popular ones are the MEAN Stack and MeteorJS. Interview with Farooq Adam, Co-Founder, Fynd Learning MEAN is slightly more complicated due to its asynchronous nature and the callback hell Node usually tends to unleash. But now that you’re a seasoned developer, you are mature enough to deal with its idiosyncrasies. Meteor is a full-stack JS framework I’m currently experimenting with. The concept of Meteor is absolutely delightful – one framework in one language that takes care of all the components of an application (front-end, back-end, and database). However, this comes at the cost of customisation freedom. Once you’ve built something in Meteor, it is virtually impossible to change the database or the backend framework should you choose to do so. Though, I still think this is a worthwhile technology to learn. Meteor is known to be extremely powerful. It’s capable of doing things in hundreds of lines of code where other conventional frameworks would’ve required a thousand. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Conclusion This is the end of part 2. In this post, we’ve covered resources concerning backend development and the various full-stack technologies available. You can now proudly call yourself a full-stack developer. Congratulations! But the story of full-stack web development doesn’t end here. With the introduction of the iPhone, there has been a smartphone revolution around the globe. More and more people are shifting towards using smartphones in place of desktops. In such a scenario, it is imperative that you learn to build apps for two of the most popular platforms out there: Android and iOS. We shall be covering this in the next and final part of this series. Additionally, we shall also look into frameworks that allow us to build native apps using Javascript (Ionic, React Native, etc.). Until then, it’s goodbye. 🙂 Your comments and suggestions are welcome! Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know?
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by Rounak Banik

01 Dec'17
How to Become a Full-Stack Developer: Part 3

5.3K+

How to Become a Full-Stack Developer: Part 3

This post is the third and final in the series on becoming a full-stack developer. This article talks specifically about mobile app development. Read here for more on frontend and backend development. When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007, it ushered the biggest revolution the world had witnessed since the printing press. Smartphones have managed to penetrate almost every country on the globe. Even the most impoverished seem to be in possession of one so much so that life without them seems inconceivable. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition Motivation There are certain apps which make sense only when running on a phone. Take Uber, for instance. Uber needs to know your exact location through GPS. An Uber app for desktop wouldn’t make much sense. Another issue is that a majority of your audience will open your app through a phone, even if it is one that has been built for browsers. In such cases, it is imperative that you ensure the experience is seamless and too much data isn’t consumed. Finally, there are subtle differences between interacting using mouse-clicks and touch. Your app must ensure that it behaves well in both scenarios. Keeping all these considerations in mind, it makes good sense to venture out of the browser and build mobile apps. This ensures that you make maximum use of the functionalities a typical smartphone has to offer while at the same time making the user experience a delight. Below are the steps to acing mobile app development. For the first part to become a full stack developer on frontend and backend development. Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Blockchain Learn Software Development Courses online from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. Interview with Ankit Tomar, Co-Founder & CTO, Bizongo Step 12: Choose a Platform The first step would be to choose a platform where you would like to build your application. Unless you’re part of a reasonably big team, it is extremely unlikely that you will build apps from scratch on all major platforms. The more likely scenario is that you will be coding on your favourite platform and will then simply port it over to the others. The major smartphone platforms today are iOS, Android, and Windows. They use drastically different languages and IDEs. For instance, iOS uses Swift and XCode, Android uses Java and the Android Studio and Microsoft operate with C# and Visual Studio. upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in DevOps  The market today is dominated by Android and iOS, so the choice really comes down to these two. Some things you may need to consider before making a choice is the audience share for your app. I believe it makes good business sense to build iOS apps if you’re in a First World country as Apple Devices are extremely popular there. In contrast, in a country like India, Android would be a more obvious choice as the market share for iPhones is extremely small owing to its exorbitant price. If you plan on making money from your app, keep in mind that iOS users are more likely to open their wallets for in-app purchases than their Android counterparts. This may be because iOS users usually tend to have more disposable income as compared to third world markets where Android dominates. iOS development requires you to have a Mac Development machine. Also, Apple App Store licenses retail at $99/year compared to Google Play’s one time $25 fee. In other words, iOS development is considerably more expensive. In this post, I shall cover how mobile app development is done today: Native Android Apps, Native iOS Apps and Hybrid Mobile Apps. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Step 13: Java and XML Java is the most popular language for Android Development (Google has recently introduced support for the Kotlin Programming language too). The founders of Android thought Java to be an appropriate choice and they have stuck to it since its inception. And if their trajectory is anything to go by, it has been nothing short of an amazing decision. The best resource to learn Java would be Head First Java. Reading this book will give you a thorough introduction to the language as well as Object Oriented Programming Principles. As far as XML is concerned, I do not think you need a concentrated tutorial on the subject. You’ve already worked extensively with a subset of XML (HTML) and you will be able to figure it out pretty quickly, even if you were to jump directly into Android development. I cannot say the same for Java. Ensure you have a good grasp of the language before venturing into Android. Step 14: Android You now have the technical know-how to build Android apps. It is time to dive deep into this revolutionary OS. Be wary though that certain Android practices differ from what you usually see on the web. The resources I’ve suggested below will ensure that your learning is not hindered by these differences. Android Programming- The Big Nerd Ranch Guide 2nd Edition is a good place to start if you know Java already. Make sure you pick up the second edition as that is the one that uses Android Studio, which is the industry standard now. The practice of building apps in Eclipse is largely outdated. Interview with Farooq Adam, Co-Founder, Fynd Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses Step 15: iOS If you are more of an Apple aficionado and/or have decided that iOS apps make more sense to your business/career aspirations. The first step would be to acquire a Mac. XCode works only on Mac and in order to publish on the app store, you need a Mac. Sorry, VMWare. The resource I’m going to suggest for iOS is exactly the same as that for Android. Nerd Ranch has its own publication – iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide which deals with Swift and XCode, so that is a good place to start. Step 16: Hybrid Mobile Apps If you’re a solo developer or are working in a small team, you probably do not have the time or the resources to separately build and maintain Android and iOS Apps. To alleviate the developer’s pain of building for multiple platforms, the concept of Hybrid Mobile Apps was introduced. The concept is extremely simple and revolutionary. If you know Javascript, you already know how to build web apps. Therefore, should you have an app in JS, there must exist a framework that automatically ports your application into Android, iOS, and Windows. Incredible but true. Most hybrid frameworks achieve this using Cordova or React Native. You can think of Cordova as the bridge between browsers and the smartphone’s native hardware. It establishes a connection between the two solely using JS and helps in creating the build scripts in the native languages of each platform. Cordova based frameworks, however, are rapidly being overshadowed by Facebook’s powerhouse, React Native. The power of React Native lies in the fact that while Cordova constructs WebViews, React Native lets you build native apps that you’d build using either Java (for Android) or Swift (for iOS). In other words, Cordova is a website disguised as a mobile app, but React Native lets you build the real thing. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses In my opinion, you can give Cordova a miss and learn React Native instead. It is an extremely great career investment to make. UpGrad & IIIT-B’s Software Development program is a great place to start your journey with this revolutionary library which has already been used by companies like Facebook, Netflix and AirBnB to design their apps. Interview with Farooq Adam, Co-Founder, Fynd Conclusion With the conclusion of hybrid apps, we come to an end of this series. In summary, these are the things we’ve covered: Computer Science Fundamentals. Data Structures and Algorithms UI/UX HTML, CSS, JS Front-End Frameworks Server-Side Scripting and Databases Full Stack Frameworks Android and iOS Hybrid Mobile Apps Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this series as much as I have enjoyed writing it and more importantly, found at least some parts useful. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome!
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by Rounak Banik

01 Dec'17
Why Companies are Looking to Hire Full Stack Developers

7.11K+

Why Companies are Looking to Hire Full Stack Developers

It’s no secret that companies today are looking to hire young and talented software developers. But with so many smart developers out there, how can you set yourself apart from everyone else applying for these coveted roles? The best way to do this is to master the skills companies demand: a wide variety of programming skills. When you are learning how to develop software, you can improve your odds of getting a job by learning full stack development. In fact, Indeed ranked the Full Stack Developer role as the #1 job in 2017. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition. There are three main reasons why companies love to hire young full stack developers: Full stack developers can solve many problems Companies look to hire people based on what problems the candidates can solve for the company. By definition, full stack developers can work on both backend, frontend, and the protocols that connect the two; being able to create a software product end to end and independently. When you learn full stack development, you have an advantage over other job seekers as you can solve many more problems than other developers. For example, think about working at a high growth startup. Startups need developers who can work on a variety of programming projects. From user interfaces to server-side programming, to database applications, and everything in between. With only a small team, startups want to hire full stack developers who can work on many of the different software projects. As a full stack developer, you build many types of software projects that most other developers cannot. Check out upGrad’s Full Stack Development Bootcamp (JS/MERN) Even at a larger company, hiring developers with the knowledge to work on many different projects gives a manager flexibility to move people between teams as businesses constantly need change. One year, you can have a developer work on a frontend project and then you can move him to a backend project the very next year. The added flexibility makes the manager’s job much easier so they like to work with developers with a wide variety of skills. Check out upGrad’s Java Bootcamp.   How to Become a Full Stack Developer Companies love full stack developers because they can solve many different problems for the business. Companies like to hire young developers who are generalists The main reason is that companies hire young developers based on their potential rather than deep domain knowledge. Companies like to teach young developers what they want them to know. As a full stack developer, you have a broad set of technology skills that the company can help you expand further. As an entry-level developer, they don’t need you to understand every algorithm. But you need to have core programming knowledge so the company can teach you what is specific to their business. Let’s go back to the example of working at a startup. When the company is starting out, they need full stack developers to work on all layers of the development stack, but as the company grows, the developers will need to specialise. It’s easy for a full stack developer to start as a generalist and then become a specialist later as the company can hire more employees. On the other hand, it’s very difficult for a specialist to join a startup and learn to be a generalist when the company is small. Full stack developers can grow with their companies more easily than specialists can. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Once you know the basics and get the job, the company will invest time and money to help you expand your knowledge further. Full stack developers can become great managers and executives Companies love to promote people with a wide variety of experiences in the business. As a full stack developer, you will get a chance to work on frontend software, backend software, and all of the architecture that connects them. Through that variety of experience on different projects, you get the opportunity to learn much more than your solely backend and frontend peers. They only get a chance to learn one part of the company’s technology architecture, but you learn the whole architecture and understand how it all fits together. That puts you in a great opportunity to rise through the technology ranks of the company and get promoted. If you work at a startup, your experience as a full stack developer can help set you apart from your peers as the company grows. Where some developers only know how one part of the technology stack works, you understand how all aspects of the technology fit together. As more developers are hired and new technology teams form, you are more likely to manage those new teams because of your wide knowledge. At a large company, you may also get more chances for promotion. When companies look to promote from within, they need people who can manage cross-functional software teams. As a full stack developer, you will know how to talk to developers from both frontend and backend teams. How to Succeed in Your First Software Development Job Of course, technology skills are not the only ones needed to get you a promotion. You will also need to learn business skills to be a manager. But if you do that you can climb high up the corporate ladder. Looking to become a full stack developer? This article does a great job explaining how to get started: How to become a full stack developer. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Enroll in Software Engineering Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career.
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by Gopi Vajravelu

31 Jan'18
What is Test-driven Development: A Newbie’s Guide

5.53K+

What is Test-driven Development: A Newbie’s Guide

Programmers and bugs have been in a never-ending fight for supremacy since time unknown. It’s unavoidable – even the best programmers fall prey to bugs. No code is truly safe from bugs, that’s why we perform testing. Programmers, at least the sane ones, test their code by running it on development machines to make sure it does what it was meant to do. Traditionally, test cases were written after writing the code, but in Test-driven Development, an automated test case is written before writing any piece of code so that the execution and testing can be checked simultaneously. In this article, we’ll be talking about Test-Driven Development in depth and why is it better than the traditional methods! Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition   What is Test-Driven Development? Test-Driven Development was created as part of the Extreme Programming (XP) methodology and was called the ‘Test-First’ concept. Test-driven development allows you to test your code thoroughly, and also enables you to retest your code quickly and easily since it’s automated. In essence, before writing any piece of code, the programmer first creates a unit-test. Then, the programmer creates just enough code to satisfy the unit-test. Once the test is passed and the code refactored, the programmer can go ahead with making further improvements. Test-driven development makes sure that the code is thoroughly tested which leads to a modularized, extensible, and flexible code. Each time a new feature is to be added, it needs to undergo what is called the “lifecycle” of TDD. Let’s talk more about this lifecycle. Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in DevOps How to Become a Full Stack Developer Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Test-Driven Development Lifecycle The test-driven development lifecycle covers everything from writing the initial unit-test to reworking the code. Add a test: Every new feature needs to undergo a test before its implemented. The essential requirement for writing a test is to have a clear understanding of all the requirements. This is accomplished using use-cases and user-stories.   Run all tests and check the net test: This is done to ensure the correct working of our test. Basically, this phase aims to check that the test is not passed by any code that doesn’t meet the requirements. By doing so, this step eliminates the possibility of having a faulty test at hand.   Write code: Now that you have your test in place, the next obvious step is to write a code that clears the test. This code need not be perfect in all aspects, but it needs to clear the test. Once we’re sure this code clears the test, it can be modified as per the requirements.   Run the tests: Having written the code, now it’s time to see if the code passes the test or not. If your code passes the tests, it means that your code meets the requirements – till now.   Refactor the code: This is essentially done to clean up the code. Refactoring doesn’t cause damage to any of the functionalities; it is just for cleaning the code by removing duplication between test code and production code.   Repeat: This cycle is now repeated with a fresh test to add more functionalities. Each functionality undergoes the same cycle. Essentially, the size of steps should be not more than 1-10 edits between each test run. If a code doesn’t pass the test rapidly, the developer must revert and not debug excessively. Check out upGrad’s Full Stack Development Bootcamp (JS/MERN)  Why Companies are Looking to Hire Full Stack Developers Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses The Pros and Cons of Test-Driven Development Test-driven development has some definite pros over traditional methods of testing – which were mostly manual. However, it’s not infallible. Just like any other technology, the test-driven development also has a set of cons. Let’s have a look at what are the benefits of TDD in detail: Writing small tests ensures modularity of your code. Practicing TDD helps you understand the underlying principles of good modular design.   TDD provides clarity during the implementation of your code which enables a safety-net during the refactoring phase.   With TDD, collaborating is a lot easier as now people can edit the code with confidence because the test will inform them if their changes are not up to the mark of the test.   The base of TDD is unit-tests. Because of that, refactoring is a whole lot easier and faster. Refactoring an old code is a pain, but if the code is backed by unit tests, it becomes so much easier.   It helps in clarifying all the requirements before you begin the coding part. This way, a lot of ambiguity that can arise later on is avoided.   Test-driven development focuses on testing while writing. This forces the programmer to make their interfaces clean enough to pass the test. It’s hard to understand this advantage until you work on a piece of code that hasn’t undergone TDD.   Silly mistakes are caught almost immediately. It helps in removal of those mistakes that would waste a lot of time if found in QA. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Now, let’s have a look at what are the limitations of test-driven development: The test suite that’s used for testing needs to be maintained else the tests may not be fully deterministic.   The tests are hard to write – especially beyond the unit-testing phase.   TDD does slow down the pace of development, at least initially.   Like with any form of development, there’s a big difference between just doing it and doing it well. Writing good unit tests requires a level of specialty.   It’s difficult to apply this approach to your legacy(existing) code.   TDD requires you to perform routine housekeeping. It’s necessary to refine the tests to make them run more quickly.   It’s easy to get distracted by the fancy features in any unit-testing framework, but it should be kept in mind that simple tests tend to give the best results.   Unless everyone on the team correctly maintains their tests, the whole system can quickly degrade. How to Succeed in Your First Software Development Job Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? In Conclusion… Test-driven development is the way forward as far as future of application development goes. There are a number of automated testing frameworks like PHPUnit, Serenity, Robot, RedWoodHQ, and many more. Pick the one that fits your need and get started with building better maintainable applications in no time!  Enroll in Software Engineering Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career.
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by Arjun Mathur

12 Mar'18
A Beginner’s Guide to MVC Architecture in Java

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A Beginner’s Guide to MVC Architecture in Java

If you’re related to web development scene, you’ll most certainly have come across the acronym “MVC” hundreds of time, if not more. MVC is one of the most talked about design patterns in the web programming world today, and rightly so. In this article, we’ll take you through the world of MVC Architecture. We’ll talk about the basics of MVC, its advantages, and finally, a simple code that will help you understand the implementation of MVC in Java in a clearer way. What exactly is the MVC architecture? Before we get into the technicalities of it, let’s make some things clear – MVC is NOT a design pattern, it’s a way to structure your applications. In recent years, the web applications are extensively using the MVC architecture, and hence it’s natural to confuse it for a design pattern exclusive for web applications. However, let’s tell you that MVC was first described way back in 1979 – before the WWW era when there was no concept of web applications. The architecture used today for web applications is an adaptation of the original pattern. In fact, this architecture was initially included in the two major web development frameworks – Struts and Ruby on Rails. These two environments paved the way for a majority of web frameworks that came later – and thus the popularity of this architecture kept rising. Learn to build applications like Swiggy, Quora, IMDB and more MVC architectural pattern follows an elementary idea – we must separate the responsibilities in any application on the following basis: Model: Handles data and business logic. View: Presents the data to the user whenever asked for. Controller: Entertains user requests and fetch necessary resources. Each of the components has a demarcated set of tasks which ensures smooth functioning of the entire application along with complete modularity. Let us have a look at each of these components in further detail. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript upGrad’s Exclusive Software and Tech Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   Controller The controller is the like the housekeeper of the application – it performs coordination between model and view to entertain a user request. The user requests are received as HTTP get or post request – for example, when the user clicks on any GUI elements to perform any action. The primary function of a controller is to call and coordinate with the model to fetch any necessary resources required to act. Usually, on receiving a user request, the controller calls the appropriate model for the task at hand. Check out upGrad’s Full Stack Development Bootcamp (JS/MERN) Model The model is quite simply the data for our application. The data is “modelled” in a way it’s easy to store, retrieve, and edit. The model is how we apply rules to our data, which eventually represents the concepts our application manages. For any software application, everything is modelled as data that can be handled easily. What is a user, a book, or a message for an app? Nothing really, only data that must be processed according to specific rules. Like, the date must not be higher than the current date, the email must be in the correct format, the name mustn’t be more than “x” characters long, etc. Check out upGrad’s Java Bootcamp Whenever a user makes any request from the controller, it contacts the appropriate model which returns a data representation of whatever the user requested. This model will be the same for a particular work, irrespective of how we wish to display it to the user. That is why we can choose any available view to render the model data. Additionally, a model also contains the logic to update the relevant controller whenever there is any change in the model’s data. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses View As the name suggests, the view is responsible for rendering the data received from the model. There may be pre-designed templates where you can fit the data, and there may even be several different views per model depending on the requirements. Any web application is structured keeping these three core components in mind. There may be a primary controller that is responsible for receiving all the requests and calling the specific controller for specific actions. Let’s understand the working of a web application under the MVC architecture better using an example. Let’s See an Example Let’s take an example of an online stationery shop. The user can view items, buy, add items to cart, add items to current order, or even add/remove items (if he’s the admin). Now, let’s see what will happen when a user clicks on the title “Pens” to see the list of pens. Our application will have a particular controller to handle all the queries related to pens. Let’s say it’s called “pens_controller.php”. We’ll also have a model that will store the data regarding the pens we have – let’s call it “pens_model.php”. Finally, we’ll have several views to present the data – a list of pens, a table displaying pens, a page to edit the list, etc. The following figure shows the complete flow of control right from the moment a user clicks on “pens”, to when the result is rendered in front of him: First, the “pens_controller.php” handles the user request (1) as a GET or POST request. We can also have an “index.php” which is the central controller which will call the “pens_controller” whenever needed. The controller then examines the request and the parameters and calls the required model – in this case, “pens_model.php”. The controller asks the model to return the list of available pens (2). Now, the model searches the database for the necessary information (3), applies logics if necessary, and returns the data to the controller(4). The controller then picks an appropriate view (5) and presents the data (6 and 7). If a request comes from a handheld device, a view suitable for it will be used, or if the user has a particular theme selected, its view will be picked – and so on. How to Become a Full Stack Developer The Advantages of the MVC Architecture A common problem faced by application developers these days is the support for different type of devices. The MVC architecture solves this problem as developers can create different interfaces for different devices, and based on from which device the request is made, the controller will select an appropriate view. The model sends the same data irrespective of the device being used, which ensures a complete consistency across all devices. The MVC separation beautifully isolates the view from the business logic. It also reduces complexities in designing large application by keeping the code and workflow structured. This makes the overall code much easier to maintain, test, debug, and reuse. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses A Simple Implementation of MVC using Java We will have the following three: StudentObject : the model.   StudentView: view class to print details on the console.   StudentController: a controller that stores data in studentObject and updates StudentView accordingly Step 1: Create the Model public class Student {   private String rollNo;   private String name;      public String getRollNo() {      return rollNo;   }      public void setRollNo(String rollNo) {      this.rollNo = rollNo;   }      public String getName() {      return name;   }      public void setName(String name) {      this.name = name;   } } The code is self-explanatory. It consists of functions to get/set roll number and names of the students. Let’s call it “student.java”. Step 2: Create the View public class StudentView {   public void printStudentDetails(String studentName, String studentRollNo){      System.out.println("Student: ");      System.out.println("Name: " + studentName);      System.out.println("Roll No: " + studentRollNo);   } } This is simply to print the values to the console. Let’s call this “studentView.java”. Step 3: Create the Controller public class StudentController {   private Student model;   private StudentView view;   public StudentController(Student model, StudentView view){      this.model = model;      this.view = view;   }   public void setStudentName(String name){      model.setName(name);   }   public String getStudentName(){      return model.getName();   }   public void setStudentRollNo(String rollNo){      model.setRollNo(rollNo);   }   public String getStudentRollNo(){      return model.getRollNo();   }   public void updateView(){      view.printStudentDetails(model.getName(), model.getRollNo());   } } Call this “StudentController.java”. A cursory glance will tell you that this controller is just responsible for calling the model to get/set the data, and then updating the view. Now, let’s have a look at how all of this is tied together. Step 4: Create the main Java file public class MVCPatternDemo {   public static void main(String[] args) {      //fetch student record based on his roll no from the database      Student model  = retriveStudentFromDatabase();      //Create a view : to write student details on console      StudentView view = new StudentView();      StudentController controller = new StudentController(model, view);      controller.updateView();      //update model data      controller.setStudentName("John");      controller.updateView();   }   private static Student retriveStudentFromDatabase(){      Student student = new Student();      student.setName("Robert");      student.setRollNo("10");      return student;   } } This is called “MVCPatternDemo.java”. As you can see, it fetches the student data from the database or a function (in this case we’re using a function to set the values) and pushes it on to the Student model. Then, it initialises the view we had created earlier. Further, it also initialises our controller and binds it to the model and the view. The updateView() method is a part of the controller which updates the student details on the console. Step 5: Test the Result If everything goes right, the result should be: Student: Name: Robert Roll No: 10 Student: Name: John Roll No: 10 If you get this as the output, congratulations! You’ve successfully implemented the MVC architecture using Java, albeit for a simple application. However simple, this application is enough to demonstrate the powers of the MVC architecture. 15 Must-Know Spring MVC Interview Questions Wrapping Up… After so much said and done, it’s hard to emphasise more on the power of the MVC architecture in any web/desktop application these days. It provides an altogether new level of modularity to your code which makes it a lot more readable and maintainable. So, if you want to scale to new heights in your career as an application developer, getting hold of the MVC architecture and its working should be your top priority. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Enroll in Software Engineering Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. Do drop by a comment and let us know how you like this article!
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by Arjun Mathur

09 Apr'18