Live data from Hacker News

Leetcode Considered Harmful

fullcontextdevelopment.com

131–132 of 132 posts

Re: Leetcode Considered Harmful

#131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"There are only two kinds of languages: the ones people complain about and the ones nobody uses." -Bjarne Stroustrup And so it is with interviewing techniques. You say "[leetcode] interview processes are not the only way," which is of course true. But it is also true that all other interviewing techniques are also unpopular on HN and with programmers in general. Of course each programmer has one or more techniques th…

You're missing my preferred option, pair program on a problem which requires skills relevant for the job. Have the candidate use their preferred tools, ideally their own laptop to minimize discomfort. Make the problem too large to get done within the time block but gives a variety of technical skills for the candidate to show off.

Well this one is not discussed enough in HN interviewing threads (at least that I’m aware of), so I’m not sure what the HN complaints would be.

But if this method was widely adopted, I’m certain HN would hate it.

Re: Leetcode Considered Harmful

#132
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well argued, but you didn't address the need for tests and/or certifications to prevent companies from being overwhelmed by a flood of unqualified candidates. A doctor, lawyer, public accountant, and, well, many types of engineers obtain public or private certifications. As a result, it is much, much, much easier for hiring companies to find and interview qualified candidates. I suppose, in the "old days" universitie…

Leetcode was created in part to be more equitable and objective. Before leetcode, we had people asking puzzles which had nothing to do with your coding abilities, like "How many balls could fit on a Boeing 747" or "If you have 9 balls, a see-saw, and one ball weighs more/less than the others, what is the minimum number of weighings to find said ball". Alma matter also used to matter a bunch more, and non-traditional…

>> I don't think the certificate days would be much use today,

Think again.

>> given how fast frameworks change and just how many different technologies are involved with modern development.

That is not a problem.

There could be theoretical and applied certifications.

The theoretical certifications would be "one and done" (take the test once, and you are, for example a "Level 3 Software Architect). Theoretical certifications would be based on fundamental (fungible) abilities.

But yeah, if you had been a certified Level 5 Java software engineer, and then Java became eclipsed by "the new hot language" then you'd need to get certified in the new hot language to claim, "I'm a Level 2 New Hot Language engineer."

Post reply on HN