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Re: Python Interview Questions

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  Re: Python Interview Questions yeryomin.igor@gmail.com - 2012-07-08 23:39 -0700
    Re: Python Interview Questions Tim Chase <python.list@tim.thechases.com> - 2012-07-09 06:07 -0500
    Re: Python Interview Questions Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2012-07-09 09:25 -0400
      Re: Python Interview Questions Tim Chase <python.list@tim.thechases.com> - 2012-07-09 12:40 -0500
        Re: Python Interview Questions Rick Johnson <rantingrickjohnson@gmail.com> - 2012-07-09 11:44 -0700
          Re: Python Interview Questions Cameron Simpson <cs@zip.com.au> - 2012-07-10 09:05 +1000
        Re: Python Interview Questions Demian Brecht <demianbrecht@gmail.com> - 2012-07-09 13:11 -0700
          Re: Python Interview Questions Peter <peter.milliken@gmail.com> - 2012-07-09 14:22 -0700
            Re: Python Interview Questions Devin Jeanpierre <jeanpierreda@gmail.com> - 2012-07-09 18:53 -0400
            Re: Python Interview Questions Christian Heimes <lists@cheimes.de> - 2012-07-10 01:33 +0200
              Re: Python Interview Questions Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2012-07-09 19:40 -0400
                Re: Python Interview Questions Christian Heimes <lists@cheimes.de> - 2012-07-10 02:02 +0200
                Re: Python Interview Questions rusi <rustompmody@gmail.com> - 2012-07-09 23:29 -0700
              Re: Python Interview Questions Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2012-07-10 07:33 +0000
                Re: Python Interview Questions Christian Heimes <lists@cheimes.de> - 2012-07-10 10:11 +0200
                  Re: Python Interview Questions Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2012-07-10 16:51 +0000
                    Re: Python Interview Questions Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2012-07-11 02:59 +1000
                      Re: Python Interview Questions Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2012-07-10 17:41 +0000
                Re: Python Interview Questions Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-07-10 10:45 +0100
                Re: Python Interview Questions rusi <rustompmody@gmail.com> - 2012-07-10 08:01 -0700
                Re: Python Interview Questions Dennis Lee Bieber <wlfraed@ix.netcom.com> - 2012-07-10 13:12 -0400
                Re: Python Interview Questions Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-07-10 18:50 +0100
                  Re: Python Interview Questions Demian Brecht <demianbrecht@gmail.com> - 2012-07-10 11:08 -0700
                    Re: Python Interview Questions Robert Miles <robertmiles@teranews.com> - 2012-08-15 01:19 -0500
            Re: Python Interview Questions Tim Chase <python.list@tim.thechases.com> - 2012-07-09 18:37 -0500
            Re: Python Interview Questions Emile van Sebille <emile@fenx.com> - 2012-07-09 16:56 -0700
            Re: Python Interview Questions Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-07-10 02:23 +0100
            RE: Python Interview Questions Shambhu Rajak <Shambhu.Rajak@kpitcummins.com> - 2012-07-10 05:08 +0000
            Re: Python Interview Questions Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2012-07-10 18:03 +1000
            Re: Python Interview Questions Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-07-10 10:42 +0100
            Re: Python Interview Questions "BartC" <bc@freeuk.com> - 2012-07-10 16:55 +0100
              Re: Python Interview Questions Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2012-07-11 02:05 +1000
            Re: Python Interview Questions Stefan Behnel <stefan_ml@behnel.de> - 2012-07-11 06:05 +0200
          Re: Python Interview Questions Peter <peter.milliken@gmail.com> - 2012-07-09 14:22 -0700
            Re: Python Interview Questions Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2012-07-09 19:08 -0400
        Re: Python Interview Questions Demian Brecht <demianbrecht@gmail.com> - 2012-07-09 13:11 -0700

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#25147

On 10 Jul 2012 07:33:59 GMT, Steven D'Aprano
<steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> declaimed the following in
gmane.comp.python.general:


> may not be capable of telling the difference between a cheese sandwich 
> and a box of hair -- and even the *good* interviewers are probably making 

	They are both containers holding samples of protein
-- 
	Wulfraed                 Dennis Lee Bieber         AF6VN
        wlfraed@ix.netcom.com    HTTP://wlfraed.home.netcom.com/

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#25150

On 10/07/2012 18:12, Dennis Lee Bieber wrote:
> On 10 Jul 2012 07:33:59 GMT, Steven D'Aprano
> <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> declaimed the following in
> gmane.comp.python.general:
>
>
>> may not be capable of telling the difference between a cheese sandwich
>> and a box of hair -- and even the *good* interviewers are probably making
>
> 	They are both containers holding samples of protein
>

Does the hair contain much more roughage?

-- 
Cheers.

Mark Lawrence.

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#25151

I also judge candidates on their beards (http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/06/beard-gallery/). If the beard's awesome enough, no questions needed. They're pro.

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#27081

On 7/10/2012 1:08 PM, Demian Brecht wrote:
> I also judge candidates on their beards (http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/06/beard-gallery/). If the beard's awesome enough, no questions needed. They're pro.

You should hire me quickly, then, since I have a beard, already turning 
partly gray.  Never mind that the computer languages I have studied
enough to write even one program don't yet include Python.

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#25106

On 07/09/12 17:53, Devin Jeanpierre wrote:
>> One of my favourite questions when interviewing - and it was
>> 100% reliable :-) - "what are your hobbies?" If the answer
>> included programming then they were hired, if not, then they
>> went to the "B" list.
> 
> Woe is the poor college grad, who wants to appear like a
> well-rounded individual and lists capoeira and gardening,
> instead.

The problem is the "instead...if your list of hobbies includes
capoeira and gardening in addition to programming, you're at least
considered. :-)

-tkc

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#25110

On 7/9/2012 2:22 PM Peter said...
> One of my favourite questions when interviewing - and it was 100% reliable :-) - "what are your hobbies?"
>
> If the answer included programming then they were hired, if not, then they went to the "B" list.
>
> In my experience, anybody who is really interested in programming will have it as a hobby (and is keen to learn even if they don't currently have the knowledge you require) - otherwise it is "just a job". Every job has a learning curve - whether it is just the particular domain or even a new language, the individual who sees programming as more "than a job" will come up to speed much faster and be more productive in both the short and long term.
>
> Every programmer I have ever hired using this criteria worked out well.
>

Hence the age bias.

Personally, I'm quite happy now that I've divorced my hobby from my 
career.  And my family likes me better too.

Emile

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#25117

On 10/07/2012 00:33, Christian Heimes wrote:
> Am 09.07.2012 23:22, schrieb Peter:
>> One of my favourite questions when interviewing - and it was 100% reliable :-) - "what are your hobbies?"
>>
>> If the answer included programming then they were hired, if not, then they went to the "B" list.
>
> on the contrary! When a potential candidate has computer stuff as her
> main hobby then she goes on the no-hire list. I prefer people that can
> cope with stress and pressure as well as people who can think outside
> the box. When you work with computers all day at work *and* at home then
> you are unable to shut off mentally.
>
> Gardening is great hobbies for a developer. You need to be patient,
> reliable and provide constantly good work to grow your own vegetables.
>
> Christian
>

I guess that's why I detest gardening :-)

-- 
Cheers.

Mark Lawrence.

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#25120

I agree with Christian, a developer should have hobbies other than computer stuffs. Versatile environment give more
Ability to think differently. 
I like playing guitar :-) 

Be enthu, run foolishly and learn intelligently.

-Shambhu

-----Original Message-----
From: Christian Heimes [mailto:lists@cheimes.de] 
Sent: 10/07/2012 5:03 AM
To: python-list@python.org
Subject: Re: Python Interview Questions

Am 09.07.2012 23:22, schrieb Peter:
> One of my favourite questions when interviewing - and it was 100% reliable :-) - "what are your hobbies?"
> 
> If the answer included programming then they were hired, if not, then they went to the "B" list.

on the contrary! When a potential candidate has computer stuff as her
main hobby then she goes on the no-hire list. I prefer people that can
cope with stress and pressure as well as people who can think outside
the box. When you work with computers all day at work *and* at home then
you are unable to shut off mentally.

Gardening is great hobbies for a developer. You need to be patient,
reliable and provide constantly good work to grow your own vegetables.

Christian

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#25126

On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM, Shambhu Rajak
<Shambhu.Rajak@kpitcummins.com> wrote:
> I agree with Christian, a developer should have hobbies other than computer stuffs. Versatile environment give more
> Ability to think differently.
> I like playing guitar :-)

Music and programming do go VERY well together. My hobbies include
online roleplaying (Dungeons & Dragons, etc), writing/managing a MUD,
playing the church organ, and arranging 19th-century music. It's not
at all an uncommon pairing.

But would a job interviewer REALLY care that I spend my Sunday
mornings up front, hiding behind two manuals and a set of faulty
pedals? Or would it be of interest that I play the odd video game (and
believe you me, some of the games I play are VERY odd)? If so, I
hereby resign all hope of comprehending job interviews, and will fall
back on Mr Hall Pycroft's notion[1] that there's absolutely no logic
to them at all.

ChrisA

[1] cf Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Stock-Broker's Clerk

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#25129

On 10/07/2012 09:03, Chris Angelico wrote:
> On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM, Shambhu Rajak
> <Shambhu.Rajak@kpitcummins.com> wrote:
>> I agree with Christian, a developer should have hobbies other than computer stuffs. Versatile environment give more
>> Ability to think differently.
>> I like playing guitar :-)
>
> Music and programming do go VERY well together. My hobbies include
> online roleplaying (Dungeons & Dragons, etc), writing/managing a MUD,
> playing the church organ, and arranging 19th-century music. It's not
> at all an uncommon pairing.
>
> But would a job interviewer REALLY care that I spend my Sunday
> mornings up front, hiding behind two manuals and a set of faulty
> pedals? Or would it be of interest that I play the odd video game (and
> believe you me, some of the games I play are VERY odd)? If so, I
> hereby resign all hope of comprehending job interviews, and will fall
> back on Mr Hall Pycroft's notion[1] that there's absolutely no logic
> to them at all.
>
> ChrisA
>
> [1] cf Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Stock-Broker's Clerk
>

Surely the purpose of asking questions about hobbies or similar is to 
establish whether or not the person is likely to fit in?

Slightly different tack, you have to get into the interview, i.e. pass 
the first thirty seconds test.  I recall reading in a book in the local 
library of a manager that wouldn't employ people unless they were 
wearing a new pair of shoes.  Guess they didn't take many people on.

-- 
Cheers.

Mark Lawrence.

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#25136

"Peter" <peter.milliken@gmail.com> wrote in message 
news:35e7a860-fd41-4018-82f6-aabc3261064d@googlegroups.com...
> One of my favourite questions when interviewing - and it was 100% reliable 
> :-) - "what are your hobbies?"
>
> If the answer included programming then they were hired, if not, then they 
> went to the "B" list.
>
> In my experience, anybody who is really interested in programming will 
> have it as a hobby (and is keen to learn even if they don't currently have 
> the knowledge you require) - otherwise it is "just a job".

Won't they be tempted to work on their pet project instead of what they're 
being paid for? There's also the risk of mixing up software created at home, 
with that done at work, with all the intellectual property issues that might 
arise.

-- 
Bartc 

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#25138

On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 1:55 AM, BartC <bc@freeuk.com> wrote:
> There's also the risk of mixing up software created at home, with that done
> at work, with all the intellectual property issues that might arise.

You just make the matter clear from the beginning, for instance:
what's done at work stays at work, and copyright is assigned by the
act of pushing to the repository. I've lifted oddments of code from my
home projects to use at work; it's no different from using skills
learned at home, which is exactly what a programmer is being paid for.

This is another good reason to make license terms clear and explicit
on every project you ever put a hand to. Doesn't matter who's lifting
code from where to where, it's easy to work out whether it's
permissible or not.

ChrisA

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#25164

Mark Lawrence, 10.07.2012 11:42:
> I recall reading in a book in the local library
> of a manager that wouldn't employ people unless they were wearing a new
> pair of shoes.  Guess they didn't take many people on.

Managers tend to like wasting resources. Buying a new pair of shoes for
each job interview sounds reasonable once you have a salary well beyond
your own capabilities.

Stefan

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#25099

One of my favourite questions when interviewing - and it was 100% reliable :-) - "what are your hobbies?"

If the answer included programming then they were hired, if not, then they went to the "B" list.

In my experience, anybody who is really interested in programming will have it as a hobby (and is keen to learn even if they don't currently have the knowledge you require) - otherwise it is "just a job". Every job has a learning curve - whether it is just the particular domain or even a new language, the individual who sees programming as more "than a job" will come up to speed much faster and be more productive in both the short and long term.

Every programmer I have ever hired using this criteria worked out well.

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#25103

In article <mailman.1959.1341868974.4697.python-list@python.org>,
 Peter <peter.milliken@gmail.com> wrote:

> One of my favourite questions when interviewing - and it was 100% reliable 
> :-) - "what are your hobbies?"

"My hobby happens to be gardening, for which I don't expect to be paid."

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#25093

On Monday, 9 July 2012 10:40:59 UTC-7, Tim Chase  wrote:
> On 07/09/12 08:25, Roy Smith wrote:
> >> On Tuesday, 30 October 2007 21:24:04 UTC+2, Tim Chase  wrote:
> > 
> >>> - more detailed questions about the std. libraries (such as
> >>>    datetime/email/csv/zipfile/networking/optparse/unittest)
> > 
> > You need to be careful when you ask questions like this.  I would expect 
> > somebody to be aware of those and have a high-level understanding of 
> > what they do, but certainly not remember the details of the exact syntax 
> > and argument order.  Even with stuff I use everyday (like unittest and 
> > datetime), I have a browser open to the reference manual most of the 
> > time.
> 
> Yeah, the aim isn't to grill them on the minutia, but to get a
> feeling that they know the basics.  The zipfile module offers a
> ZipFile object for reading/writing zip files with or without
> compression.  The CSV file allows for reading/writing CSV files with
> definable delimiters and quoting/escaping.  Etc.
> 
> 
> >>> - questions about PDB
> > 
> > Heh.  I would answer that with, "Python Debugger?  I've never used it".
> 
> The ability to know off the top of your head that it's the "Python
> Debugger" is more than enough :-)  That's just first-order
> ignorance:  you know what you don't know and can spend a few minutes
> reading up on it if you need it.  The second[or higher]-order
> ignorance of not knowing what pdb is (or, if you need more powerful
> debugging, how to do it) is sign the person hasn't been programming
> in Python much.
> 
> >>> Python History:
> >>> ===============
> >>> - decorators added in which version?
> >>>
> >>> - "batteries included" SQL-capible DB in which version?
> >>>
> >>> - the difference between "class Foo" and "class Foo(object)"
> >>>
> >>> - questions from "import this" about pythonic code
> > 
> > With the exception of the question about new-style classes, these are 
> > silly questions.  I was around when both decorators and sqlite3 were 
> > added.  I couldn't possible tell you when to any precision better than 
> > "2 dot something". 
> 
> I'd even be satisfied if a person just knew that such features
> weren't there all along and might need to be worked around for older
> deployments.
> 
> > As for the zen of python, it's cute, and a piece of python
> > folklore, but hardly an essential part of being a good python p
> 
> [Ed: something appears to have gotten truncated there]  Yeah, it's
> more about a person being sufficiently steeped in python to know
> bits and pieces of the zen, and their ability to recognize/create
> pythonic code.  I've seen enough Java-written-in-Python to know what
> I don't want :-)
> 
> -tkc

Definitely appreciate your approach, I've asked similar questions when interviewing.

I also usually like to ask what a candidate likes and dislikes about Python, hoping for the GIL to creep up, along with an explanation as to what it is, implementations that don't have it along with methods of getting around the lock (although that would be a fairly advanced topic IMHO). If it doesn't come up, sometimes I'll pop it in depending on their level of experience.

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