How To Face An Interview

Throughout the engineering spam we all are always keen to know what exactly is asked in the interviews. How many rounds take place? What is the quality and difficulty of the questions?

Well here is the answer to all of those, some personal experiences shared by the students of Pune Institute of Computer Technology. Everything explained in detail about 3 MNC Microsoft, Morgan Stanley and AirTight Networks.

How To Face Interview

 

Microsoft 

Job Profile: Software Developer
Placement Process:

Test--> Technical Interview--> Technical Interview--> Technical Interview
Round 1 - TEST

Experience:
It was an online test. The company who hosted the test messed up with the interface, and a lot of people had trouble with a coding question that could not be solved because of the faulty interface. There was no retest.

Round 2 - TECHNICAL INTERVIEW

Experience:
QUE 1: Given a compact data structure to store strings sequentially, one byte stores length l of the string, next l bytes contain the string characters. Write a code to insert the given string at the ith place, making sure the DS is still compact. Write tests to verify the correctness.

QUE 2: How will you construct parse tree for ((a+b)*c)/d? What all data structures can you use?

Round 3 - TECHNICAL INTERVIEW

Experience:
QUE 1: Given a function f that returns true or false based on whether the input string satisfies some hidden criterion C, write a function that verifies that all sub strings satisfy C.

QUE 2: You hand over 'n' identical linked lists to n salespersons. After the day's work, these salesperson return the lists. Merge these lists such that all insertions, deletions, updates are taken care of, so that you can repeat this process for the next day.

Round 4 - TECHNICAL INTERVIEW

Experience:
Told about myself, my interests, my internship projects and my work so far.
A few coding questions were asked too.
In the end, they asked if i have any questions.

Tips:
Start preparing early.
Develop priorities both sector wise and company wise.
Take sufficient water and food with you. Interviews can start at 8 am on the first day!
Have enough copies of resume and transcripts with you.
If you have been shortlisted for many companies, it is preferable to have a portfolio manager who manages your phone during the day and enables you to focus on the interviews.

How to face an interview ?

10 Unexpected Interview Questions and Answers

Morgan Stanley

 

Job Profile: Software Engineer

One Line Advice: No coding knowledge expected! But get your math well!

Placement Process:

Resume Shortlist--> Test--> HR Interview--> Technical Interview--> Group Activity

Round 1 - RESUME SHORTLIST
Experience:
Started out with learning to identify and portray the focal points in a resume companies are looking for. Then went on to list my achievements (big and small) over the years, and the qualities they reflect about me (the hardest part!!). I then selected the 4 I wanted to put forward, and wrote my resume accordingly.

Round 2 - TEST
Experience:
Written Technical test; 30 out of ~ 200 short-listed; 2 Rounds (1 Tech + 1 (Tech + HR); 15 out of 30 short-listed & 2 rounds (1 Tech + 1 Group Activity); 5/6 out of 15 selected. Test was pure coding syntax. Do not come just prepared with just algorithms! Work in one language and master the syntax. The first tech round was some basic programming problems - Eliminating the originating node in a very large circular linked list in the least computational time. Sorting algorithms - Some basic Inheritance.

Round 3 - HR INTERVIEW

Experience:
The second round was an HR round supposedly. We discussed my work in the startup I was in, and then went on to the system design for the same. Later, He tried to put me off-track with a simple guesstimate (no of petrol pumps in Bombay), and ended with a simpler puzzle (Rectangular plate with an arbitrary rectangular hole to be divided into 2 equal halves).

Round 4 - TECHNICAL INTERVIEW

Experience:
The third round was more technical with some more basic algorithm problems & - Traversing a 2 - dimensional array in a spiral fashion - Syntax of commands in C (the language I had chosen for the test, others were Java and C++) - OOPS concepts.

Round 5 - GROUP ACTIVITY

Experiences:
The fourth round was a group activity where a team had to build a model building with straws, come up with a marketing campaign for the same, and make a presentation of the same at the end of the day.

How to face an interview:
Prepare your programming language syntax well. That is where most people lose out in the written tests.- The people here are not looking for very high tech stuff, just some basic programming skills and very basic algorithms, so go through concepts like the unique features of OOPS, differences between Java and C++ etc. Read through basic algorithms they like to refer algorithms by their names. - Do not show in the interview that you are looking for working on cutting edge stuff etc. This goes for all I-Banking IT. Focus more on brand name etc., and possible client and business Interaction (seems they love it!)

You can also visit Complete Interview Guide For Accenture

Airtight Networks

 

Job Profile: Java Developer

One Line Advice: Be the best at what interests you !

Placement Process:
Technical Interview--> Technical Interview--> HR Interview

Round 1 - Technical Interview
Question 1: Core Java Interview Questions (Google it & You will Get thousands)
Question 2: Logic based questions for example calculation of offset in Pagination scenarios.

Experience: This round was basic elimination of people weak in their java basics and logic.

Round 2 - Technical Interview
Que 1: OS basics and application based questions
Que 2: Networking fundamentals
Que 3: Programming Logic Based questions
Que 4: Data structure and algorithms

Experience: Saying you're favorite subject/what you're good at means you have to be best at it.

Round 3 - HR Interview
Que: Questions may be many but they all want the same thing from you !

Experience: Most importantly you need to be sure what you have, what you want and what you think this position can give you.

How to face interview:
Work smart not hard and you will find a way which isn't as long as it seemed to be !
Keep your basics in place and logic intact.
Be clear in your thought process and confident in your approach.

All thanks to the students and PICT placement experiences facebook page for sharing this information with us.

10 Tips For Viva And Practicals

Case Study on Barrel Shifter 

Linear Convolution Matlab Program 

Read More

Gate 2016 - Apply Online, Aptitude Tests, Dates, Eligibility

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2016)

GATE is a Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering conducted by IISc Banglore for admissions to M.TECH, M.E courses at IITs and NITs and many more private universities accross India. The GATE exam will be conducted from January 30 to February 07, 2016 (Saturdays and Sundays only)

The IISc Banglore and all the IITs organize this examination along with Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education and the Government of India.

NOTE: Here is the Virtual calculator for GATE 2016

GATE 2016 will be held for a total of 23 papers inclusive of a new one -Petroleum Engineering. There is provision for a buffer session on February 20, 2016 which may be used to hold the exam in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

You can download this pdf regarding Petroleum engineering syllabus

Here are the zones which will organize the examine:

Zone 1: Indian Institute of Science Bangalore - The Organizing Institute for GATE 2016

Zone 2: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Zone 3: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Zone 4: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Zone 5: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Zone 6: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Zone 7: Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Zone 8: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

Important Dates

GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) Website Opens for Enrollment, Application Filling, Application Submission- September 1, 2015 (Tuesday)          

Last Date for Submission of Online Application through Website - October 8, 2015 (Thursday)       

Last Date for Request for Change in the Choice of Examination City via GOAPS login- November 20, 2015 (Friday)

Availability of Admit Card on the Online Application Interface for printing- December 17, 2015 (Thursday)

GATE 2016 Online Examination

•     Forenoon: 9.00 AM to 12.00 Noon  January 30 to February 07, 2016
•     Afternoon: 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM
•     (On Saturdays and Sundays only)

Announcement of Results on the Online Application Website - March 19, 2016 (Saturday)

                               

You can check out Gate Syllabus Here

What's new this year?

•     Online Calculator- Candidates will have to use the online virtual calculator that will be provided during the exam. Physical calculators will not be allowed.

•     Revised Syllabus- The GATE Syllabi has been revised. Candidates must check the revised GATE 2016 Syllabus for their preparation

•     New Paper- A new Paper has been introduced from GATE 2016  namely Petroleum Engineering

•     Provision of GATE Answer Key: The GATE 2016 Answer Key will be provided after the exam is over for candidates to check. They can challenge the GATE 2016 Answer Key on payment of a nominal fee for a specified period of time.

GATE 2016 Exam Pattern: 

The GATE Paper comprises of two types of questions - Multiple Choice Questions and Numerical Questions. Multiple Choice Questions will have a correct answer from four options given while Numerical Questions have to be calculated and answered with the help of of a keypad. The GATE 2016 Question Paper will be designed to test students on their comprehension and application skills, recall as well as analytical abilities.

It may be noted that General Aptitude Questions are compulsory for all papers and will carry  questions for 15 marks.

GATE 2016 Exam Pattern as per the Paper code is as follows:

•     Papers with codes AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PI, TF and XE: Engineering Mathematics (15% of total marks), General Aptitude section (15% of total marks) and  Main subject of the paper (70% percentage of the total marks).

•     Papers with codes AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH and XL: General Aptitude section (15% of total marks) and  Main subject of the paper (85% percentage of the total marks).

Note:

• GATE 2016  XE Paper will have a compulsory section in Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude along with any two of XE sections B to G.
• GATE 2016 XL Paper Pattern will have a compulsory section inSection H in Chemistry and General Aptitude along with any two of XL sections I to M

Eligible Qualifying Degree	Eligibility of the Candidates as per the academic year of passing
B.E./B.Tech/ B.Arch/ B.Pharm. ( 4 years after 10+2)	Currently in the 4th year or already completed
B.S (Post-Diploma/ 4 years after 10+2)	Currently in the 4th year or already completed
M.Sc./M.A./ MCA or equivalent	Currently in the final year or already completed
Int. M.E/ M.Tech (Post BSc) (Four year programme)	Currently in the 2nd/3rd/4th year or already completed
Integrated M.E./M.Tech or 5 year Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) -	Currently in the 4th/5th year or already completed
Integrated M. Sc/ Integrated 5 year B.S.-M.S.	Currently in the final year or already completed
Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E/B.Tech/B.Arch)	Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses

Download General aptitude paper for all branches

Before going to exam do check Examinations Tips to keep your calm

Read More

Complete Interview Guide For Accenture

Professional Interview Tips and Tricks

Jobs and Placement 

are one of the most important and key things on your way to become a successful engineer. Everyone has a dream while studying engineering to get placed in a dream company, and one gives his best to achieve their dream.

Today we have with us one such enthusiast Shantanu who strove hard to reach this peak and today he is going to share with us his success mantras. I know Shantanu personally. He is a great person indeed. Ever ready to help and never tired of answering. I guess we couldn't have found a better person than him for the first interview of EntcEngg.

Shantanu Ingle
Associate developer
"ACCENTURE"

EntcEngg: Hello Shantanu, welcome to EntcEngg and really thank you for giving your valuable time to us.

Shantanu: It's my pleasure to be part of this wonderful initiative from you !

EntcEngg: Tell us something about yourself, where have you done your engineering from and which branch?

Shantanu: I am a 4th year E&Tc Engg student from Pune Institute of Computer Technology.

EntcEngg: What was your aggregate for all the years and did you prepare for you exams keeping placements in mind?

Shantanu: My aggregate was 61%. No, I didn’t prepared for any exam.

EntcEngg: Did you have a company in your mind as a Dream company, you always wished to work with?

Shantanu: Yes I did !  I wanted to work with a startup or at least with similar environment organisation. So the only company which came in that category was Thoughtworks.

EntcEngg: When did you start taking placements seriously and how did you prepare for them?

Shantanu: Well frankly speaking, I didn't prepare for any aptitude exam. The company i got placed was seeking general apti preparations. So if you are good with the  basics like Logical reasoning , quantitative analysis and English grammar you have won half of the battle.

EntcEngg: What extra-curricular activities you did apart from studies?

Shantanu: I volunteered for various college’s technical events from 1st year of my Engg and i was a part of college’s Robocon Team in 3rd year.

EntcEngg: Tell us in brief about your placement, the number of rounds and type of questions?

Shantanu: I got placed at Accenture in the month of September this year. It was mass recruiter so the requirement for aptitude was general aptitude preparations as i mentioned in the above question. For Aptitude preparations, practice RS Aggarwal for quantitative, logical and verbal.

EntcEngg: Tell us about the Interview. What did they ask and how did you answer those questions?

Shantanu: The Interview was not that tricky. The recruiters were asking general information about me and the project.

You can also see Tips For Interview

EntcEngg: That one question which made you sweat in the interview. what did you answer and did it satisfy them?

Shantanu: There was no such question.

But there can be questions like this which can catch you off guard 10 Unexpected Interview Questions and Answers

                                                               

EntcEngg: Which books you referred for Aptitude and other stuff?

Shantanu: RS Aggarwal

EntcEngg: What was the base of your aptitude?

Shantanu: It was based on Quantitative,logic and Verbal reasoning.

EntcEngg: What was the base of the Interview? I mean was it programming related or was it something else? Please elaborate.

Shantanu: BE project.

EntcEngg: What exactly is HR round? What did they ask their?

Shantanu: HR basically is a formality round once if you have cleared the technical round then it's not so tough to clear HR. In HR they ask you about your hobbies, interests , why should we hire you and your future plans.

EntcEngg: Did you go to any Coaching classes for some kind of preparation?

Shantanu: No coaching classes.

EntcEngg: What are your future plans? are you willing to appear for GATE, GRE or MBA entrance?

Shantanu: I would continue with my job.

EntcEngg: Did they ask anything regarding your projet?

Shantanu: Yes, My interview was based on my BE project.

EntcEngg: Thanks Shantanu for this short interview it was really helpful for us, students are going to learn a lot from this.Once again thanks for sparing your valuable time with us.

Shantanu: Anytime..! You can comment below with your questions and also  reach me on facebook.

Guys you can ask whatever questions you have for Shantanu by commenting below or on our Facebook Page . Any questions are welcome we will be more than happy to answer all your questions.

To get further interview update from more candidates please like our facebook page subscribe to our newsletter to directly get the updates in your mailbox by clicking on the subscribe box to right of the screen.

If you liked this interview please like and share it on facebook and write to us your expectations and suggestions in the contact form below.

Read More

PIC Microcontroller (Architecture, Features, Programming, Datasheet, Projects)

PIC MICROCONTROLLER

PIC stands for peripheral interface controller

Where as F stands for Flash it represents the type of memory used,
In 2000, Microchip introduced the PIC18 architecture.Unlike the 17 series,with a large number of device variants presently in manufacture. In contrast to earlier devices, which were more often than not programmed in assembly, C has become the predominant development language.

PIC18F4520

Parameters of PIC18F4520 micro controller

Pin Diagram Of PIC18F4520

The 18 series inherits most of the features and instructions of the 17 series, while adding a number of important new features:

PIC18 uses flash memory so that a data can be saved and erased number of times as per user requirement, not only this the battery used is used to give clock to the device.

Features of PIC micro controller

  CPU

        Up to 10 MIPS Performance at 3V

        C compiler optimized RISC architecture

        8x8 Single Cycle Hardware Multiply

  System

       

        Internal oscillator support-31 kHz to 8MHz with 4xPLL

        Fail-Safe Clock Monitor- allows safe shutdown if clock fails

        Watchdog Timer with separate RC oscillator

        Wide operating Voltage range; 2.0V to 5.5V

 nanoWatt Power Managed Modes

        Run, Idle and SLEEP modes

        Idle mode currents down to 5.8uA typical

        Sleep mode currents down to 0.1uA typical 

   

 Analog Features

        10-bit ADC, 13 channels, 100K samples per second

        Programmable Low Voltage Detection Module

        Programmable Brown-out-Reset Module

        Two Analog Comparators multiplexing 

  Peripherals

        Master Synchronous Serial Port supports SPI™ and I2C™ master and slave mode

        EUSART module including LIN bus support

        Four Timer modules

        Up to 5 PWM outputs

        Up to 2 Capture / Compare 

Advantages

1. Small instruction set to learn and implement
2. PIC has RISC architecture
3. Built-in oscillator with selectable speeds
4. Easy entry level, in-circuit programming plus in-circuit debugging PICkit units available for less than $50
5. Inexpensive microcontrollers
6. Wide range of interfaces including I²C, SPI, USB, USART, A/D, programmable comparators, PWM, LIN, CAN, PSP, and Ethernet
7. Availability of processors in DIL package make them easy to handle for hobby use.

Comparison between PIC and 8051

8051- if u want a cheap controller with basic functions then 8051 will suffice . It will be of great use in your low cost college projects.

PIC- Cheap , used in refrigerators and low budget projects .

8051 and PIC need multiple clock cycles per instruction. AVR and ARM execute most instructions in a single clock cycle.

8051 and PIC have limited stack space - limited to 128 bytes for the 8051, and as little as 8 words or less for PIC. Writing a C compiler for these architectures must have been challenging, and compiler choice is limited.

Real Time Applications and Projects of PIC

1) PIC can be used to design Data Acquisition System

2)Digital clock can be implemented using PIC

3)Frequency counter are another application

4)PIC can be used as Timers, counters

5)We can design a calculator using PIC


Download Datasheet of PIC18F4520

Check out how to use PIC microcontroller using PICKit 3 or Proteus.

You can also learn how to configure DSP Processor.




Check out Complete Interview Guide For BE

Read More

How To Configure and Run DSP Processor

Digital signal processor (DSP)

Digital signal processor (DSP) is a special type of microprocessor (or a SIP block), with its architecture optimized for the operational needs of digital signal processing.


Digital Signal Processors (DSP) take real-world signals like voice, audio, video, temperature, pressure, or position that have been digitized and then mathematically manipulate them. A DSP is designed for performing mathematical functions like "add", "subtract", "multiply" and "divide" very quickly.

C6713DSK in CCSv5

What is inside a DSP processor?

A DSP contains these key components:

• Data Memory: Stores the information to be processed by processor
• Program Memory: Stores the programs which the DSP will use to process data
• Input/Output: Serves a range of functions to connect to the outside world
• Compute Engine:It performs the math processing, accessing the program from the Program Memory and data from  Data Memory

Required Softwares

Download board support files from Spectrum Digital Website.
Unpack all files to C:\
Download CSL form TI website
Install it at C:\C6xCSL directory
Set all of jumpers on SW3 and SW1 to OFF
Connect USB then connect power

Run 6713SDKDiag.exe from C:\DSK6713\drivers to check emulator connection

Following is a step by step guide to setup a DSP processor using Non real steps CCS v5.3 DSK6713

Step 1
Click on ccs5.3.0 icon as shown below

Workspace window will get open select as default or you can give your location.

Close TI Explorer window

Create new target configuration
File--> new--> targetconfiguration

Filename: test1.ccxml

Connection: spectrum digital DSK-EVM-eZdsp on board USB emulator

Board or device: TMS320C6713

View--> targetconfiguration

Right click on your target configuration window open at right side, set as sefault

It will jump from edit perspective to debug perspective.

Run --> connect target

Your target is connected.

Create  new project

File-->new --> ccs project

Select as shown below.

Write the code in main.c file or copy paste.

Right click on project --> build project

It will generate the .out file in debug folder.

Move from edit perspective to debug prospective.

Run --> load -->load program.

Browse project

Select Debug --> xyz.out

Ok-->ok

Run --> resume.

See the out put on console.

To see graph.

Tools --> graph --> single time.

Selct as shown

Real time

It is same like non real but you need to add BSL and CSL file.

Copy real time codec code to main.c.

Right click on project --> add files

C:\CCStudio_v3.1\C6000\dsk6713\lib\dsk6713bsl.lib

C:\CCStudio_v3.1\C6000\csl\lib\csl6713.lib

Add header file for csl and bsl.

Right click on project properties --> include option

Add dir to #include click on green colour plus sign symbol.

C:\CCStudio_v3.1\C6000\dsk6713\include.

C:\CCStudio_v3.1\C6000\csl\include.

Predefined symbol -->  pre-define Name

click on green colour plus sign symbol.

Type CHIP_6713 and save.

Now debug the code and  load the .out file to board same like non real procedure.

Possibility error

Install again and again

Disable antivirus or uninstall

Add gel files:

CCStudio_v3.1\cc\gel\DSK6713.gel

Add 

Linker command file : C:\CCStudio_v3.1\tutorial\dsk6713\hello1\hello.cmd

and

Run time support libarray: C:/CCStudio_v3.1/C6000/cgtools/lib/rts6700.lib

You can also check out Matlab Programs.
Discrete Fourier transform program

Read More