30 Databricks Interview Questions and Answers

It's a primary topic, and you should be prepared to answer it. For this question, highlight your understanding and elaborate on how you can utilise Databricks in data processing.  

Sample Answer: “Databricks is a unified analytics platform that accelerates innovation by unifying data science, engineering, and business. Recently, I used Databricks to process large datasets efficiently through the Apache Spark application.” 

From this question, the interviewee is trying to see how well you know the primary tools for Databricks applications. Here, you can emphasise your knowledge and the ways you leverage Azure. 

Sample Answer: “Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service that supports building, testing, and managing applications. I use Azure to host Databricks to upscale data processing and analysis of my organisation.” 

Databricks Unit (DBU) knowledge is essential. For this question, you can highlight your understanding of its role in the Databricks application.  

Sample Answer: “A DBU is a unit of processing capability per hour used for billing in Databricks. In my recent application, I monitor DBU usage to optimise cost efficiency in data projects.” 

Understanding platform-specific differences is vital. The interviewee wants to know your detailed understanding of the topic. To this, you can highlight your knowledge of Azure Databricks and how it differs from Databricks. 

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks is optimised for Azure cloud in contrast to Databricks, offering better integration with Azure services. I use it to simplify my daily tasks by seamlessly connecting with Azure Data Lake and other services.” 

The interviewee asks this question to assess your critical and analytical knowledge about Azure Databricks. To this, you can highlight the advantages and how they improve your work. 

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks provides scalable, fast analytics and deep integration with Azure services. I benefit from its collaborative workspace and advanced machine learning capabilities.” 

From this question, you can show your understanding of integration capabilities. 

Sample Answer: “Yes, Databricks can be used with Azure Notebooks. I integrate them to leverage Databricks' processing power with the flexibility of Jupyter Notebooks for analysis.” 

Understanding cluster types is crucial. For this question, you can demonstrate your knowledge of Azure Databricks and add some additional pointers to help the interviewee with the correct answer. A [bonus pointer: think of them as ten-year-olds; you must be thorough to make them thoroughly understand the topic.] 

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks offers Standard, High Concurrency, and Single Node clusters. I use High Concurrency clusters to share workloads and Standard clusters for dedicated tasks.” 

Knowledge of performance optimisation is essential. For this question, you can explain them with your understanding of Caching. 

Sample Answer: “Caching stores data in memory for quick access. I use caching in Databricks to speed up data processing tasks by reducing read times from storage.” 

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The interviewee asked this question to assess your practical knowledge of cache management. Highlight your understanding and provide a real-life example (if applicable).  

Sample Answer: “Clearing the cache can be useful to free up memory or remove outdated data. I implement this when data changes significantly to ensure accuracy.” 

Understanding scalability features is crucial. Based on this question, the interviewee wants to know how you can adapt to diverse situations.  

Sample Answer: “Autoscaling adjusts cluster size automatically based on workload. I use Autoscaling in Databricks to efficiently manage resources and handle varying data loads.” 

The interviewee wants to assess your knowledge and insights about Azure Databricks. Describe some of the key features of Azure and how they can benefit your work. 

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks offers collaborative workspaces, integration with Azure services, Autoscaling, and optimised Apache Spark. These features have recently enhanced my productivity in data projects.” 

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Based on this question, the interviewee wants to assess your problem-solving skills in a real-life situation.  

Sample Answer: “Some of the issues I face in Azure Databricks are cluster stability and cost management. However, to mitigate these, I monitor performance, optimise configurations, and set budget alerts.” 

This question dives into the advanced features of Databricks applications. This knowledge is crucial for your long-term career. That is what the interviewee wants to know about you.  

Sample Answer: “A Delta table is a table in Databricks that supports ACID transactions and versioning. I use Delta tables to make sure the data is reliable and consistent.

In this context, operational knowledge is not the only important factor. Mentioning its applications can highlight your understanding of Databricks' security practices. 

Sample Answer: “Databricks secrets securely store sensitive information. I use them to manage credentials and API keys without exposing them in notebooks.” 

Apart from operational and security, the management plan in Azure Databricks is another helpful topic. For this question, you can highlight your essential knowledge about the subject.  

Sample Answer: “The management plane in Azure Databricks handles configuration, authentication, and monitoring. I use it to manage workspace settings and user access.” 

The platform components form the base of Azure Databricks. You should be prepared for this key question.  

Sample Answer: “The data plane processes data in clusters. I use it to run complex data transformations and analytics tasks in Azure Databricks.” 

Kafka handles the live streaming of data. Its question showcases your enthusiasm for getting deeper into the subject. Based on this question, the interviewee wants to know how keen you are to advance your knowledge.  

Sample Answer: “Kafka is used in Azure Databricks for real-time data streaming. In my daily applications, I integrate Kafka to process and analyse streaming data efficiently.” 

Sample Answer: “The major reason behind using Kafka is its ability to handle high-throughput, real-time data streams. I use Kafka in Databricks to process live data seamlessly and with low latency." 

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It's an exciting question, generally aimed at experienced professionals. Use this time to demonstrate your real-life knowledge about the topic.  

Sample Answer: “Some of the key use cases include real-time analytics, event monitoring, and data integration. I use Kafka in Databricks for tasks like streaming ETL and real-time dashboards.” 

For this question, you can highlight its key benefits. You can even take the reference from the internet about the detailed knowledge on its benefits.  

Sample Answer: “Kafka helps to process real-time data, improve responsiveness and enhance your decision-making. I use it in Databricks to handle streaming data efficiently and integrate with other services.” 

Performance optimisation is a must for the Databricks profession. Based on this question, you can share your technical understanding of the topic.  

Sample Answer: “Databricks supports in-memory, disk, and hybrid caching. To optimise performance, I choose the appropriate caching type based on data size and processing requirements.” 

From this question, the interviewee is eager to know how well you can tackle emergencies in your jobs.  

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks ensures security with role-based access control, encryption, and network security. I implement these measures to protect data and control access.” 

Knowledge about the data unit and the platform specifics is crucial. It helps the interviewee assess how much detail you will go into to avail the thorough information.  

Sample Answer: “A Databricks unit (DBU) measures processing capability per hour and is used for billing. I monitor DBU consumption to manage costs and optimise resource usage.” 

You can answer this question by highlighting your use of the key-backed scopes.  

Sample Answer: “Databricks supports key vault-backed and Databricks-backed secret scopes. I use key vault-backed scopes for enhanced security and management of secrets.” 

Based on this question, the interviewee wants to assess whether you can comprehend the real-life applications in Azure Databricks.  

Sample Answer: “Some of the Kafka crucial applications include real-time analytics, log aggregation, and data integration. I use Kafka in Databricks for tasks like monitoring and real-time ETL.” 

Cloud service is a trending technology today. Based on this question, the interviewee wants to know whether you stay up to date with the latest technologies.  

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks falls under Platform as a Service (PaaS). I leverage it for its managed environment that simplifies data processing and analytics.” 

This question showcases your detailed and analytical knowledge about the topic. Share their primary applications in this context. 

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks integrates seamlessly with Azure services, while AWS Databricks integrates with AWS services. I use Azure Databricks for its optimised integration with Azure tools.” 

Multiple widgets’ thorough knowledge will help you navigate the User Interface (UI) seamlessly. Mention all the widgets you use in your professional life (in case, you are an experienced professional).  

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks supports text, dropdown, and multi-select widgets. I use these widgets to create interactive and user-friendly notebooks.” 

The architecture of the Azure Databricks forms another crucial part of the profession. Highlight your knowledge about Azure Databricks in the answer.  

Sample Answer: “The control plane manages workspace configuration, authentication, and job scheduling. I use it to control and monitor my Databricks environment.” 

Cloud service is a trending technology today. Based on this question, the interviewee wants to know whether you stay up to date with the latest technologies.  

Sample Answer: “Azure Databricks falls under Platform as a Service (PaaS). I leverage it for its managed environment that simplifies data processing and analytics.”