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Memorization? It's a factorial function. You shouldn't need to study or memorize anything to implement a factorial function. If you can't come up with this algo
by mkozlows 9y ago
Memorization? It's a factorial function. You shouldn't need to study or memorize anything to implement a factorial function. If you can't come up with this algorithm off the top of your head, that is legit telling something about your problem-solving ability.
- vthallam 9y agoNot particularly factorial problem, but the general interview questions require some amount of prior knowledge about the techniques. Topics like math based or bit manipulation, permutations/combinations have questions which are often asked in Interviews and require some prior knowledge to be able to give optimized solutions.
- chillacy 9y agoAlso if it's legitimately the first time you're solving something like "all permutations" you'll be slower than someone who has done it before, and that might hurt you too.
- auxym 9y agoI'd still ask for the definition of factorial. Sure, for various reasons, most programmers know the factorial, but I'd consider remembering the definition of some mathematical operation only common in certain domains (statistics and finance?), that most people only learn in high school and never use again, to be rote memorization.
- nine_k 9y agoAbility to detect your deficiencies of knowledge and ask questions is hugely important, and is worth testing. Or you can use a search engine.