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Programming Job Skills Test?
eclecticgeek asks: "I've recently finished a CS/SD degree at uni and the interviews are starting to come thick and fast. I've yet to have a skills test for any of them, and it's only a matter of time before I do. I'm hoping to do one this week and I will get the choice of language. The position is quite broad and they're more after competent programmers in general, rather than any one specific language. So I'm wondering, have you done a developer skills test? What type of things did you get asked?"
APL wins. APL2 would be best.
"one place that set me down with a bug report and a development box with their code on it and wanted to see how I'd approach it..."
That wasn't a real interview. They just couldn't find that one nasty code bug so they brought people in until someone found it.
Someone's been playing "Return to Mysterious Island" a bit too much lately ...
This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time.
I'd look for a volleyball, paint a face on it and name him Wilson, and then talk to him and slowly go crazy...
Attention zealots and haters: 00100 00100
My name is Voit, dumbass!
Karnal
The first order of business would be to bring the local population around to accepting the new order of things. This would mostly involve chasing the birds, fishs and crabs around with the hatchet while screaming obscenties at them - I expect the berries and coconuts will acquiesce to my dominion, as they are known to be sanguine in nature.
Once the locals have been frightened into disorder, the next order of business would be setting up a hierarchy of power. The most loyal and strongest of the flora and fauna would be granted titles, such as Marquis, Earl or Chuck. Those that show signs of causing trouble must be controlled, so a prison will be built near the sulfur by hammering four nails into the ground and tying the rope around them to form guard walls. Burly Sgt. Coconuts will be placed at each corner, and a sadistic Chuck Berry in charge. Prisoners will be forced to work in my sulfur mines.
By this point, I shall be undisputed Lord of the Island. So to celebrate that fact, I shall begin construction of a 100m tall effigy of myself in copper and obsidian (for the sake of morale and artistic freedom, certain physical attributes may be emphasized or diminished, as necessary). The sail will serve as a cover to prevent the work from being seen before it is finished.
Of course, during construction, I will begin to create my armed forces. Mostly this will involve drilling the birds (air force), fish (navy) and crabs (marines) until I am satisfied that they show military spit and polish.
After years of rule, I imagine some passing ship will notice a 100m tall copper statue on a supposedly deserted island. By this time my rule will be assured. I will not leave the island, instead declaring my domain a sovereign nation and offering to host affluent guests from around the world - for a fee. I will also create a website, offering the services of the elite of my armed forces as mercenaries for hire, again for a fee. Eventually, I will pass on the throne, and retire to the mainland to live large off of the book deals, and movie revenue.
His Imperial Majesty,
King Indi I of Indiland
It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys.