At a previous startup, we gave potential developers a very simple test: we had a file with a comma separated list of movie titles, release dates, etc. The candidate was expected to:
- read that file in
- store it in some sort of data structure
- allow users to run commands to retrieve movie titles based on name, release year, etc.
Command-line was totally fine, you had access to the Internet, and as much time as you wanted.
At least 50% of people couldn't do it. One candidate spent hours staring at the screen before slipping out with a note left behind, "I apologize for wasting your time"
- read that file in
- store it in some sort of data structure
- allow users to run commands to retrieve movie titles based on name, release year, etc.
Command-line was totally fine, you had access to the Internet, and as much time as you wanted.
At least 50% of people couldn't do it. One candidate spent hours staring at the screen before slipping out with a note left behind, "I apologize for wasting your time"