Reviewed by Aditya Kumar · Last reviewed 2026-03-25
**Local**: `--master local[N]` or `local[*]`. Single JVM; N threads. Dev and unit tests. No distribution. **Standalone**: `--master spark://host:7077`. Spark's built-in cluster manager. Simple; no YARN/K8s. Rare in prod. **YARN**: `--master yarn`, `--deploy-mode...
This easy-level Spark/Big Data question appears frequently in data engineering interviews at companies like Dunnhumby. While less common, it tests deeper understanding that distinguishes strong candidates. Mastering the underlying concepts (spark) will help you answer variations of this question confidently.
Start by clearly defining the core concept being asked about. Interviewers want to see that you understand the fundamentals before diving into implementation details. Structure your answer with a definition, then explain the practical application with a concise example.
Local: --master local[N] or local[*]. Single JVM; N threads. Dev and unit tests. No distribution.
Standalone: --master spark://host:7077. Spark's built-in cluster manager. Simple; no YARN/K8s. Rare in prod.
YARN: --master yarn, --deploy-mode client|cluster. Client: driver on submission machine; cluster: driver on worker. Cluster preferred for prod—driver survives client disconnect.
Kubernetes: --master k8s://.... Container-native; scale to zero; cloud-native.
Why Deploy Mode Matters: Client mode: driver uses client resources; client crash = job fail. Cluster: driver in cluster; resilient.
Scalability Trade-offs: K8s elastic; YARN stable for Hadoop shops. Local is not scalable.
Cost Implications: Cluster mode enables spot/preemptible for workers; driver on stable node.
Pro-Move: 'Cluster mode for prod; client for debug—driver logs on my machine.' Red Flag: Client mode in prod—SSH disconnect kills job.
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According to DataEngPrep.tech, this is one of the most frequently asked Spark/Big Data interview questions, reported at 1 company. DataEngPrep.tech maintains an editor-reviewed database of 1,863 data engineering interview questions across 7 categories.