Lost most of my time trying to get the debugger running.
Start by clarifying the expected search behavior and reproducing the bug with concrete examples. Then systematically trace the request through the API layers—routing, validation, query construction, and response formatting—to isolate the root cause. Finally, propose a minimal fix, verify it with tests, and discuss how to prevent similar issues.
Pro tip: Demonstrate Amazon's Leadership Principles by taking ownership of the issue and diving deep into the code, while also thinking about the customer impact and long-term prevention. Mention writing a regression test to ensure the bug doesn't recur.
Ask clarifying questions about the expected search behavior and gather specific examples of failing queries. Reproduce the bug locally or in a test environment to confirm the issue.
Follow the request from the API endpoint through routing, input validation, query construction, database interaction, and response formatting. Use logging or debugging to pinpoint where the behavior deviates from expectations.
Analyze the suspicious code to determine the exact bug—e.g., incorrect parameter handling, SQL injection, missing index, or faulty logic. Consider edge cases and related code paths.
Write a minimal fix that addresses the root cause without introducing side effects. Add or update unit/integration tests to cover the bug and verify the fix works for the reported cases and edge cases.
Suggest improvements such as better input validation, monitoring, or automated testing to prevent similar bugs. Discuss how you would communicate the fix and any follow-up actions.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.