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Taking an assessment test for a job interview and got a java question.

 
Greenhorn
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A user is entering information into a third party web-based java application that is integrated with our directory and authentication servers. The user complains of application crashing after inputting information and hitting save and indicates receiving the 'gibberish' below.

java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: argument type mismatch at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method) at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(NativeMethodAccessorImpl.java:79) at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java(Compiled Code)) at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java(Compiled Code)) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.PropertyUtils.setSimpleProperty(PropertyUtils.java:1789) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.PropertyUtils.setNestedProperty(PropertyUtils.java:1684) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.PropertyUtils.setProperty(PropertyUtils.java:1713) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.BeanUtils.setProperty(BeanUtils.java:1019) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.BeanUtils.populate(BeanUtils.java:808) at org.apache.struts.util.RequestUtils.populate(RequestUtils.java:1252) at org.apache.struts.action.RequestProcessor.processPopulate(RequestProcessor.java:821) at org.apache.struts.action.RequestProcessor.process(RequestProcessor.java:254) at org.apache.struts.action.ActionServlet.process(ActionServlet.java:1482) at org.apache.struts.action.ActionServlet.doPost(ActionServlet.java:525) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:760) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:853)

What are your troubleshooting steps with the user?
 
Marshal
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Well, what did you say?

And welcome to the Ranch
 
Dick Van Dyke
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Thanks!

I havent said anything yet, I dont think they want me really to decode the error message. Looks like they just want to see my troubleshooting skills. Was going to say that I was going to get in touch with the user and ask to set up a time that we could talk on the phone. From there I was going to remote into the users machine so I could see what the user is doing and how he/she is inputting the information. Also, I was going to say that I will form an email to the developers about the issue with the steps I took with the user.
 
Campbell Ritchie
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That sounds a good start.

It is worthwhile finding out from the users what they were doing when the program crashed. It is also worthwhile examining the native method which appears to have caused the Exception, working out its types. Also see what sort of arguments might be sent it from your servlet methods.
 
lowercase baba
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Dick Van Dyke wrote:Looks like they just want to see my troubleshooting skills.


So...your troubleshooting skills are asking someone else how to troubleshoot?

 
Campbell Ritchie
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Nothing wrong with asking for help
 
Ranch Hand
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I dont think its wrong to give him a tiny hint without revealing too much if that is possible.
 
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Ashish S Yadav wrote:I dont think its wrong to give him a tiny hint without revealing too much if that is possible.


Why? Its quite a good think instead of giving a complete answer (in which case, OP doesn't generally knows the reason behind it).

Besides, I don't think reply by Campbell Ritchie is a tiny hint
 
Ashish S Yadav
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I guess his interview is over by now. Someone, please post the clue or the answer...i cannot wait to see it.
 
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Using the right tools to debug http://java-success.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/java-interview-questions-and-answers-on_18.html

-- remote debugging
-- running the application in debug mode
-- monitoring the log files
-- understanding the sequence of user events
-- etc
 
Greenhorn
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Dick Van Dyke wrote:A user is entering information into a third party web-based java application that is integrated with our directory and authentication servers. The user complains of application crashing after inputting information and hitting save and indicates receiving the 'gibberish' below.

java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: argument type mismatch at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method) at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(NativeMethodAccessorImpl.java:79) at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java(Compiled Code)) at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java(Compiled Code)) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.PropertyUtils.setSimpleProperty(PropertyUtils.java:1789) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.PropertyUtils.setNestedProperty(PropertyUtils.java:1684) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.PropertyUtils.setProperty(PropertyUtils.java:1713) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.BeanUtils.setProperty(BeanUtils.java:1019) at org.apache.commons.beanutils.BeanUtils.populate(BeanUtils.java:808) at org.apache.struts.util.RequestUtils.populate(RequestUtils.java:1252) at org.apache.struts.action.RequestProcessor.processPopulate(RequestProcessor.java:821) at org.apache.struts.action.RequestProcessor.process(RequestProcessor.java:254) at org.apache.struts.action.ActionServlet.process(ActionServlet.java:1482) at org.apache.struts.action.ActionServlet.doPost(ActionServlet.java:525) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:760) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:853)

What are your troubleshooting steps with the user?




no one really answered what that exception really means, me am not very familiar with the issue, but it seems like somewhere an argument of the wrong types was entered, but that might be a very incomplete answer.
more suggestions?
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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