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Disney·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate
May 2026

Summary

Frontend coding exercise for a Software Engineer role at Disney. You fetch movie data from a JSON endpoint and build out sorting, filtering, and search on top of it, then talk through the design decisions afterward.

Questions Asked (5)

Q1

Fetch a list of movies from a public JSON endpoint and render them in a list with sorting (by name A-Z/Z-A and by year ascending/descending) and live search filtering by movie name.

API & IntegrationsTechnical Trade-offs
Author's notes

The fetch and render part was fine.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the requirements and constraints, then outline a component-based architecture that separates data fetching, state management, and UI rendering. Emphasize performance optimizations like debouncing search input and memoizing sorted results, and discuss trade-offs between client-side and server-side sorting/filtering.

Pro tip: Mention that you would debounce the search input to avoid excessive re-renders and API calls, and use a stable sort to maintain order when sorting by different criteria. Also, consider accessibility by ensuring the list is navigable via keyboard and screen readers.

1. Clarify Requirements and Constraints

Ask about the expected data size, whether sorting/filtering should be client-side or server-side, and any performance or accessibility requirements. Confirm the JSON endpoint and data schema.

2. Design Component Architecture

Break down the UI into components: a container for data fetching and state, a controls component for sorting and search, and a list component for rendering. Decide on state management (e.g., React hooks, Redux) based on complexity.

3. Implement Data Fetching and State Management

Use fetch or axios to retrieve data, handle loading and error states, and store movies in state. Implement sorting and filtering logic, ensuring immutability and memoization for performance.

4. Optimize Performance and UX

Debounce search input, memoize sorted/filtered results, and use virtualized lists if the dataset is large. Ensure responsive UI and accessible controls.

5. Discuss Trade-offs and Testing

Explain trade-offs between client-side and server-side operations, and outline a testing strategy (unit tests for sorting/filtering, integration tests for data fetching).

Key Points to Mention

  • Debouncing search input to reduce re-renders and API calls
  • Memoization of sorted and filtered results to avoid unnecessary computations
  • Client-side vs server-side sorting/filtering trade-offs (performance, scalability)
  • Handling loading and error states for better UX
  • Accessibility considerations (keyboard navigation, ARIA labels)
  • Testing strategy for sorting, filtering, and data fetching

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q2

How would you structure the components and manage state across the search, sort controls, and the movie list?

System DesignTechnical Trade-offs
Author's notes

I talked through lifting state to a parent container and passing down derived props.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying requirements and constraints, then propose a component hierarchy with a clear separation of concerns. Discuss state management options (local vs. global) and justify your choice based on trade-offs like performance, scalability, and maintainability. Finally, walk through data flow and potential optimizations.

Pro tip: Emphasize that you would lift state up to a common parent or use a state management library only when necessary, and mention techniques like debouncing for search and memoization for the movie list to optimize performance.

1. Clarify Requirements

Ask questions to understand the scale, real-time needs, and whether the search and sort should be client-side or server-side. This shows you consider context before designing.

2. Define Component Structure

Propose a component tree: a parent container managing state, with child components for SearchBar, SortControls, and MovieList. Explain how props and callbacks flow between them.

3. Choose State Management Strategy

Discuss options: local state in parent, Context API, or external libraries like Redux. Justify your choice based on app complexity and performance needs.

4. Describe Data Flow and Interactions

Explain how user input triggers state updates, how filtered/sorted data is derived, and how the movie list re-renders. Mention controlled components and derived state.

5. Address Performance and Trade-offs

Talk about optimizations like debouncing search, memoizing list items, and virtualizing long lists. Discuss trade-offs of your chosen approach.

Key Points to Mention

  • Single source of truth for state (e.g., search query, sort criteria) in a common parent or store
  • Controlled components for search and sort inputs to keep UI in sync with state
  • Derived state for filtered and sorted movie list to avoid redundant state
  • Debouncing or throttling search input to reduce unnecessary re-renders or API calls
  • Memoization (React.memo, useMemo) to prevent unnecessary re-renders of movie list items
  • Trade-offs between local state, Context, and external state management libraries

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q3

Should you debounce the search input, and how would you implement that?

Technical Trade-offsAlgorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

Said yes immediately, which was right.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by affirming that debouncing is generally recommended for search inputs to reduce unnecessary API calls and improve performance, but note that the decision depends on factors like latency requirements and user experience. Then, explain a concrete implementation using a debounce function with setTimeout and clearTimeout, and optionally mention leading/trailing edge options and cleanup.

Pro tip: Mention that debouncing should be paired with cancellation of in-flight requests (e.g., AbortController) to avoid race conditions where a slower earlier response overwrites a newer one. Also, consider accessibility: ensure the UI indicates loading and that results update without requiring a manual submit.

1. Clarify the trade-offs

Discuss when debouncing is beneficial (e.g., reducing server load, avoiding rate limits) and when it might not be needed (e.g., local filtering, very fast APIs).

2. Explain debouncing concept

Define debouncing as delaying the execution of a function until after a specified wait time has elapsed since the last invocation.

3. Provide implementation details

Describe a simple debounce function using setTimeout and clearTimeout, and show how to attach it to the input event handler.

4. Address edge cases and enhancements

Mention leading/trailing options, canceling pending requests, and handling component unmount to avoid memory leaks.

5. Conclude with best practices

Summarize that debouncing improves performance but should be combined with other techniques like throttling or request cancellation for optimal UX.

Key Points to Mention

  • Debouncing reduces the number of API calls by waiting for a pause in typing.
  • Implementation uses setTimeout and clearTimeout to reset the timer on each keystroke.
  • Consider leading edge (immediate first call) vs trailing edge (after pause) debouncing.
  • Cancel in-flight requests (e.g., with AbortController) to prevent race conditions.
  • Clean up timers on component unmount to avoid memory leaks.
  • Choose debounce delay based on UX (e.g., 300ms is common) and test with real users.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q4

If the movie list is very large, how would you handle rendering performance?

System DesignTechnical Trade-offs
Author's notes

Virtualization.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the scale and constraints (e.g., number of movies, device types, network conditions) to show you understand the problem. Then propose a layered solution: virtualized rendering, lazy loading, and efficient data fetching, while discussing trade-offs like memory vs. performance and complexity vs. maintainability. Finally, mention how you would measure and iterate on performance using metrics like FPS and memory usage.

Pro tip: Emphasize that performance is a feature, not an afterthought—tie your solution to user experience (e.g., smooth scrolling on low-end devices) and business impact (e.g., reduced bounce rate). Also, mention that you'd validate assumptions with real data before optimizing.

1. Clarify requirements and constraints

Ask about the expected list size, device types, network conditions, and whether the list is static or dynamic. This ensures your solution is tailored to the actual problem.

2. Choose a rendering strategy

Propose windowing/virtualization (e.g., react-window, FlatList) to render only visible items, and discuss alternatives like pagination or infinite scrolling with lazy loading.

3. Optimize data fetching and caching

Suggest techniques like paginated API calls, prefetching, and caching (e.g., in-memory, IndexedDB) to reduce network overhead and avoid re-fetching.

4. Address memory and image optimization

Mention lazy image loading, using appropriate image sizes, and releasing off-screen resources to prevent memory bloat.

5. Measure, monitor, and iterate

Describe how you'd profile performance (e.g., React DevTools, Lighthouse) and set up monitoring to catch regressions, emphasizing continuous improvement.

Key Points to Mention

  • Virtualization/windowing libraries (e.g., react-window, react-virtualized, FlatList)
  • Lazy loading and code splitting for images and components
  • Pagination or infinite scrolling with efficient data fetching
  • Caching strategies (client-side and server-side)
  • Memory management and garbage collection considerations
  • Performance metrics (FPS, memory usage, time to interactive) and trade-offs

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q5

What accessibility considerations apply to the sort and search controls you built?

Technical Trade-offs
Author's notes

This one I fumbled a little.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by framing accessibility as a core requirement for inclusive user experiences, then walk through the specific considerations for sort and search controls, covering keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and visual design. Emphasize how you tested and validated these features to ensure compliance with standards like WCAG.

Pro tip: Mention that you involve users with disabilities in testing or use automated tools like axe alongside manual testing, showing a commitment to real-world accessibility beyond just compliance.

1. Identify control types and user needs

Clarify the sort and search controls you built (e.g., dropdowns, input fields, buttons) and the diverse users who interact with them, including those using keyboards, screen readers, or voice commands.

2. Apply keyboard and focus management

Ensure all controls are reachable and operable via keyboard, with logical tab order, visible focus indicators, and support for standard keys like Enter, Space, and arrow keys.

3. Implement screen reader and semantic support

Use proper ARIA roles, labels, and live regions to announce dynamic changes (e.g., search results count, sort order) and ensure controls have accessible names and states.

4. Address visual and cognitive accessibility

Provide sufficient color contrast, clear text labels, and avoid relying solely on color or icons; ensure error messages and instructions are descriptive and easy to understand.

5. Test and iterate with assistive technologies

Validate using screen readers (e.g., NVDA, VoiceOver), keyboard-only navigation, and automated tools; incorporate feedback from users with disabilities to refine the controls.

Key Points to Mention

  • Keyboard navigability and focus management (tab order, focus trapping, escape key behavior)
  • ARIA roles, properties, and live regions for dynamic content updates
  • Screen reader compatibility and meaningful announcements for sort/search actions
  • Color contrast, text alternatives for icons, and not relying on color alone
  • Compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards and testing with assistive technologies
  • Inclusive design principles and user testing with people with disabilities

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.