34 Scala Interview Questions (Plus Sample Answers) - Skills To Get Ahead In Your Career

If you’re interviewing for a job that involves coding, you may prepare for questions about Scala. Learning about possible Scala interview questions can help you show prospective employers you have knowledge and skills that can help you succeed in the role. Having answers prepared for your interview may also allow you to respond with greater confidence. In this article, we explore some Scala interview questions that a hiring manager may ask and provide six sample answers to help you craft your own.

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Contents

6 Scala interview questions

Here are six Scala interview questions with example answers to help you prepare your own responses to a hiring manager:

1. What is Scala?

An interviewer may ask this type of question at the start of your interview. General questions about Scala can help a prospective employer gain a better understanding of your overall comprehension of various programming languages. A hiring manager may also ask this type of question to assess how well you can explain programming concepts or terms using simplified language. In your answer, use specific but easy-to-understand language that professionals from a range of both tech and non-tech fields can understand.

Example: “Scala is the abbreviated term for a coding language called Scalable Language. This multi-paradigm language supports both object-oriented and functional programming, which means that it supports data values with either fixed or permanent values. Scala’s motto is, “Do more with less,” because the primary goal of this language is to express coding solutions and features as concisely as possible.”

2. What is a Scala map?

A hiring manager might ask this type of definitive question during the first part of your interview to gauge your understanding of various Scala components. Give a concise definition of what the feature is and a brief explanation of what it does. You may also want to mention if there are different categories related to the definition.

Example: “A Scala map refers to a group of key or value pairs. Coders can use unique keys to access the values present within the map. T**he two chief types of Scala maps are mutable and immutable. In an immutable map, you can’t change the objects’ values after you’ve set them, but with a mutable one, you can. The default map for Scala is the immutable one.”

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3. Explain how function currying works.

Some interviewers may ask you to describe how a feature of Scala operates. A hiring manager might give you interview questions like this to evaluate your understanding of when to use unique elements of Scala coding. Use your answer as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of both how Scala features work and when coders can benefit from using them.

Example: “Scala currying allows programmers to transform a function comprised of multiple arguments into a series of arguments that contain one argument each. Currying may be a good idea if you want to design a program capable of frequently callin**g some of the same functions with identical parameters. Currying a function makes it easier to refactor, meaning that you can change the structure of the code without modifying its performance features for the end-user. “

4. What are some advantages of using Scala?

Hiring managers who ask you about the benefits of Scala may want to hear about your knowledge of and ability to use this coding language compared to other languages. In your answer, focus on the positive aspects of Scala rather than the potential drawbacks of other coding languages.

Example: “One of the primary advantages of Scala is that it allows coders to program with concise language. Because of this coding efficiency and ease in scalability, programmers can often reach the software development or testing stages faster with Scala. Since Scala’s designed to handle immutability, another advantage of this program is that it can offer both coders and users greater flexibility in executing functions with changing data. Also, since Scala uses a simplified language with, for example, no explicit punctuation, Scala tends to be less susceptible to errors.”

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5. What’s the difference between a statically typed language and a dynamically typed language? Which type is Scala?

This type of interview question usually aims to assess your knowledge of and ability to use various coding languages. In your answer, you can explain not only the key differences between the two languages you’re comparing, but also highlight the benefits that each can offer.

Example: “Scala is a statically typed programming language. This means that the compiler performs type-checking as it’s compiling. Dynamically typed language is the opposite. With dynamically typed language, the program performs its type check at run-time instead, as this type of code eliminates the compiling step entirely. Statically typed programming languages like Scala can help minimize the number of errors that programmers encounter prior to runtime. However, dynamically typed languages might support more polymorphic functions, meaning that it may allow more objects or functions to take on different forms.”

6. How does a Unit in Scala differ from a void in Java?

Since Scala coders often use Java bytecodes or virtual machines, a prospective employer may ask you interview questions comparing Java features to Scala ones. When you provide an answer, show that you understand both the differences and similarities between Java and Scala.

Example: “Both Units in Scala and voids in Java represent functions or methods that return nothing. However, there are several key differences between them. One of those differences is that Java’s void possesses no value, whereas a Unit in Scala has one value consisting of simply two parentheses. Another distinction between the two is that Java’s void is a keyword. A Scala Unit, however, is a final class.”

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15 more general Scala interview questions

Here are 15 additional general questions you might receive from an interviewer about Scala:

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What’s a Scala set?
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Define implicit parameters.
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What does a tail recursion function do?
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What’s a class?
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Tell me how objects work in Scala.
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Define a trait.
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What’s a free variable?
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How do you format a string?
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Describe what a Monad does.
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How does a tuple work?
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What’s a closure?
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Tell me how the Scala map function works.
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Briefly explain Scala’s higher-order functions.
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What’s a lens in Scala?
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How did you learn Scala? Can you name any specific books, courses or other resources you used?

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What’s a Scala set?

Define implicit parameters.

What does a tail recursion function do?

What’s a class?

Tell me how objects work in Scala.

Define a trait.

What’s a free variable?

How do you format a string?

Describe what a Monad does.

How does a tuple work?

What’s a closure?

Tell me how the Scala map function works.

Briefly explain Scala’s higher-order functions.

What’s a lens in Scala?

How did you learn Scala? Can you name any specific books, courses or other resources you used?

13 more in-depth Scala interview questions

Here are 13 more Scala interview questions that can give you the chance to provide in-depth answers:

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How do the chief two Scala sets differ from one another?
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How many identifiers does Scala have? Can you provide a brief description of each?
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What’s the difference between map and Hashmap in Scala?
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How does a Scala case class differ from a regular class?
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Explain the different types of Scala literals.
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Tell me about the implicit parameter precedence.
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What are the differences between a closure function and a regular function?
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Why might you want to alter the default Scala set?
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How do you append to a list?
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How can you compile Scala code?
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How do you decide whether to choose between a Scala list or stream?
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Why does immutability matter in Scala?
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Name two keywords that Java uses that Scala doesn’t. Why doesn’t Scala require these keywords?

How do the chief two Scala sets differ from one another?

How many identifiers does Scala have? Can you provide a brief description of each?

What’s the difference between map and Hashmap in Scala?

How does a Scala case class differ from a regular class?

Explain the different types of Scala literals.

Tell me about the implicit parameter precedence.

What are the differences between a closure function and a regular function?

Why might you want to alter the default Scala set?

How do you append to a list?

How can you compile Scala code?

How do you decide whether to choose between a Scala list or stream?

Why does immutability matter in Scala?

Name two keywords that Java uses that Scala doesn’t. Why doesn’t Scala require these keywords?

Related: .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}6 Java Certifications You Can Pursue To Advance Your Career.css-r5jz5s{width:1.5rem;height:1.5rem;color:inherit;display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;height:1em;width:1em;margin:0 0 0.25rem 0.25rem;vertical-align:middle;}

Tips for answering Scala interview questions

Here are some tips that can help you successfully answer questions about Scala at your interview:

Review the differences and similarities of languages

Prior to your interview, remind yourself of the basic commonalities and distinctions between Scala and other coding languages. Many employers looking to fill open positions that involve programming may prefer candidates who are familiar with multiple languages. Since Scala and Java, in particular, share several features, it might be useful to review how these languages compare.

Ask questions

If you don’t understand a question, it’s okay to ask your interviewer to repeat it or clarify the aspects that you find confusing. A prospective employer doesn’t necessarily want you to memorize every single function or feature of Scala.

They likely want to assess that you have the programming knowledge and skills, such as problem-solving, to figure out these coding elements on your own. They may prefer candidates willing to admit when they need help so the coding team can work more efficiently. Use your interview questions about Scala as an opportunity to demonstrate that you’re willing to learn programming features you’re less familiar with and understand how to solve various coding issues.

Understand the position

Research the position you’re interviewing for ahead of time and try to gauge what role Scala may have in the job’s responsibilities. Knowing how the job duties for this role may connect to Scala can help you determine ahead of time which types of questions your interviewer may ask. For example, a candidate interviewing for a DevOps role may receive more conceptual questions about how various features in Scala work and what it’s like managing projects coded with Scala. Candidates for a coder position might get more specific questions about different Scala functions and objects.

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