20 Apache Cordova Interview Questions and Answers

When interviewing for a position that involves Apache Cordova, it is important to be prepared to answer questions about the platform. Apache Cordova is a popular open-source mobile development framework that allows developers to create cross-platform mobile applications using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Understanding common Cordova interview questions will help you confidently answer questions about your experience and skills. In this article, we discuss the most frequently asked Cordova interview questions.

Apache Cordova Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Apache Cordova interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What are the main features of Apache Cordova?

Apache Cordova is a mobile application development platform that allows developers to create applications for mobile devices using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Cordova provides a set of APIs to access native device features, such as the camera, contacts, and file system. Cordova also allows developers to package their applications as native apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.

2. Can you explain what a mobile application framework is and why it’s used?

A mobile application framework is a set of code libraries that provide a basic structure for creating a mobile app. This can include things like the user interface, database access, networking, and so on. Using a framework can make development faster and easier, since you don’t have to start from scratch.

3. What languages can be used to write code for Apache Cordova applications?

Apache Cordova applications can be written using a variety of languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. However, it is also possible to use other languages, such as C++, to write code for Apache Cordova applications.

4. What is your understanding about the execution model of an Apache Cordova application?

The Apache Cordova execution model is based on a web view that is embedded in a native container. This web view is used to load and run the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code for the Cordova application. The web view has access to Cordova APIs that allow it to interact with the native device functionality.

5. What is PhoneGap? How does it compare with Cordova?

PhoneGap is a distribution of Apache Cordova. It was originally created by Nitobi, but was acquired by Adobe in 2011. PhoneGap provides a set of tools and services for building mobile applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Cordova, on the other hand, is a open-source framework that allows you to create mobile applications using web technologies.

6. What are some advantages of using Apache Cordova over other frameworks like Appcelerator or Sencha Touch?

Apache Cordova is a popular choice for mobile development because it is open source, it supports a wide range of platforms, and it can be used with a variety of programming languages. Additionally, Cordova provides a number of plugins that can be used to add functionality to your app, and it has a large and active community of developers who can provide support and advice.

7. What are plugins in the context of Apache Cordova? Why do we need them?

Plugins are pieces of code that provide access to native device features that are not available through the standard Apache Cordova API. We need them because they allow us to build hybrid mobile applications that can take advantage of the native functionality of the devices they are running on.

8. Is it possible to use any existing JavaScript library in Apache Cordova apps? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to use any existing JavaScript library in Apache Cordova apps. You can do this by using a JavaScript library such as jQuery or AngularJS.

9. What are some common command-line tools provided by Apache Cordova? What are they used for?

Some of the most common command-line tools provided by Apache Cordova are the cordova create and cordova build commands. The cordova create command is used to create a new Cordova project, while the cordova build command is used to build the project for a specific platform. Other common Cordova commands include cordova run, which runs the project on a connected device, and cordova plugin, which adds or removes plugins from the project.

10. What are some differences between Android Studio and Eclipse when working with Apache Cordova projects?

Android Studio is the recommended IDE for working with Apache Cordova projects. It offers a more robust set of features and tools than Eclipse, making it easier to develop and test Cordova applications. Additionally, Android Studio integrates better with the Android SDK, making it simpler to work with the various Android platforms.

11. What is a web view?

A web view is a web browser that is embedded within a mobile application. This allows developers to include web content within their apps without having to develop a separate web browser.

12. What is the purpose of config.xml?

The config.xml file is used to configure the settings for your Apache Cordova application. This includes things like the name of your app, the description, the author, the version, and so on.

13. What are the different types of events supported by Apache Cordova?

The different types of events supported by Apache Cordova are deviceready, pause, resume, and online/offline. deviceready is the most important event, as it indicates that Cordova is fully loaded and ready to be used. The other events are used for managing the app’s lifecycle, and for detecting when the device is online or offline.

14. What are the steps required to create a new project with Apache Cordova?

The steps required to create a new project with Apache Cordova are as follows:

1. Install Cordova
2. Create a new project directory
3. Navigate to the new project directory
4. Run the Cordova command-line tool to create a new project
5. Add platforms to the project
6. Build the project
7. Run the project

15. What is the difference between build and run commands in Apache Cordova?

The build command is used to create a Cordova project, while the run command is used to run the project on a specified platform.

16. What are the latest versions of Apache Cordova and Ionic Framework? Should you always use their latest versions?

The latest versions of Apache Cordova and Ionic Framework are 9.0.0 and 5.4.4 respectively. While it is generally a good idea to use the latest versions of software, there may be times when you need to use an older version for compatibility reasons.

17. Is there any way to handle errors related to plugins in Apache Cordova? If yes, then how?

Yes, there are a few ways to handle errors related to plugins in Apache Cordova. One way is to use a try/catch block around the code that calls the plugin. Another way is to listen for the Cordova error event and handle it accordingly.

18. What’s the best way to handle memory issues with Apache Cordova?

One way to help manage memory issues with Apache Cordova is to use the cordova-plugin-file plugin. This plugin provides a way to read, write, and navigate the file system on a device. It can be used to store data in a more efficient way than just using JavaScript’s localStorage object.

19. What are some considerations that should be taken into account while writing tests for Apache Cordova applications?

There are a few key things to keep in mind while writing tests for Apache Cordova applications. First, because Cordova applications are essentially web applications running inside of a native container, it is important to test both the web application code and the native container code. Additionally, tests should be written to account for the different platforms that a Cordova application may be running on, as there can be platform-specific code that needs to be tested. Finally, it is important to consider the performance of the tests, as Cordova applications can be resource-intensive.

20. Where can you find all the information about Apache Cordova functionality?

The Apache Cordova website is the best place to start. You can find a lot of information about the project, the various features it offers, and how to get started using it.