3 ms·

Here's the thing: you're not being asked to reverse a linked list because they expect you to implement one. 99% of the time, you'll just use a library (the ot

by amalcon 16y ago

Here's the thing: you're not being asked to reverse a linked list because they expect you to implement one. 99% of the time, you'll just use a library (the other 1%, you're writing the library). You're being asked to reverse a linked list because it's bloody easy if you understand the fundamentals (what a linked-list is, how a loop works).

starkfist 16y ago
I realize that but wishing that people applying for jobs actually knew what they are doing unfortunately is not going to help much. You can make a whole career without understanding linked lists. If you need people to work on database internals you either have to hire from the areas I mentioned or figure out how to poach people already doing this kind of work. The pool of applicants who just send in their resume generally does not contain the programmers you actually want to hire.
- amalcon 16y ago
  To someone who does know about this stuff, though, it seems completely fundamental. It's a total mystery (to me at least) how a half-decent programmer could avoid getting curious enough to figure out what a linked list is. There's at least one other place you can get competent people who know about the fundamentals: academia. This is why Google tries so hard to lure people from academia.
  - starkfist 16y ago
    I wouldn't bet on that. It really depends on what they are doing in academia. You can get through some programs without doing much programming at all. They even mention in the post that a PhD failed the phone screen.
swolchok 16y ago
You've probably also been asked to do it at some point during your formal CS education, if you had one. Grading this problem on the final for the introductory CS course was a load of fun, let me tell you... (and yet, I had to do the exercise myself just now, because I haven't touched that stuff in a couple years and I was worried I'd forgotten!)

by amalcon 16y ago

starkfist 16y ago

I realize that but wishing that people applying for jobs actually knew what they are doing unfortunately is not going to help much. You can make a whole career without understanding linked lists. If you need people to work on database internals you either have to hire from the areas I mentioned or figure out how to poach people already doing this kind of work. The pool of applicants who just send in their resume generally does not contain the programmers you actually want to hire.

amalcon 16y ago
To someone who does know about this stuff, though, it seems completely fundamental. It's a total mystery (to me at least) how a half-decent programmer could avoid getting curious enough to figure out what a linked list is. There's at least one other place you can get competent people who know about the fundamentals: academia. This is why Google tries so hard to lure people from academia.
- starkfist 16y ago
  I wouldn't bet on that. It really depends on what they are doing in academia. You can get through some programs without doing much programming at all. They even mention in the post that a PhD failed the phone screen.

swolchok 16y ago

You've probably also been asked to do it at some point during your formal CS education, if you had one. Grading this problem on the final for the introductory CS course was a load of fun, let me tell you... (and yet, I had to do the exercise myself just now, because I haven't touched that stuff in a couple years and I was worried I'd forgotten!)