March 29, 2016 at 3:10 pm
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
Solomon Rutzky (3/29/2016)
SQLRNNR (3/29/2016)
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
Finally!!! Somebody who claims experience with sql server that knows getdate(). The response was much as I would expect. An immediate answer that sounded timid and somewhat questioning. They obviously knew getdate() since it rolled off their tongue before even thinking about it and then you could see the look concern as it came out wondering if it really such a stupidly easy question. Especially with the look in their eyes of "seriously these are the kinds of questions you ask?". The upside was I was allowed immediately to switch to page 2 of my questions. Phew!!! There is only 1 more interview this week. At this point there is a clear leader in my mind.If they answer the first question on page 2 correctly, do you get to skip to page 4? The page where you start asking about page internals?
That would be somewhat close to a "choose your own adventure" style test, which would be interesting ;-).
Do you ever have the candidate write code, such as a Stored Procedure, on a white board during the interview? The last place I worked at typically had people do simple queries to prove that they could do LEFT JOIN and HAVING type stuff. But I changed it to having people write a full stored procedure. It was a great way to see how someone would actually code. And if they started out simple, it was a good lead-in to asking about transactions, TRY / CATCH, etc. It was interesting to see people do well on the technical questions but not have much ability to be truly useful. We avoided some close-calls by doing this.
Since this is really a c# position with some requirements for sql we don't have them write any t-sql. We do however have them write a little bit of c#. There is also a test where I hand them a pretty simple program and ask them what is the output. I let them decide if they want to write it down, talk it through or whatever. It is interesting to see people work through the problem.
I realize this example is pretty contrived but it shouldn't be too challenging for anybody with even a few years of development under their belt.
What is the output from the code below?
using System;
namespace ConsoleApplication1
{
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Console.WriteLine(TestOutput("Hello World!"));
Console.ReadKey(true);
}
private static string TestOutput(string DisplayVal)
{
try
{
throw new Exception("Error Message.");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
return DisplayVal;
}
finally
{
Console.WriteLine("Inside Finally.");
}
}
}
}
Right, I hadn't seen that this was a developer position until a few posts later. But it sounds like you have a solid interview process. Just make sure to ask them if there is any value to having Foreign Keys. Developers are more likely to say "no, the app can validate the data going in" (I have had that conversation several times, in fact).
As far as your test code above goes, I would say that there is no output since it is not compiled and C# is not an interpreted language ;-).
SQL# — https://SQLsharp.com/ ( SQLCLR library ofover 340 Functions and Procedures)
Sql Quantum Lift — https://SqlQuantumLift.com/ ( company )
Sql Quantum Leap — https://SqlQuantumLeap.com/ ( blog )
Info sites — Collations • Module Signing • SQLCLR
March 29, 2016 at 3:19 pm
Solomon Rutzky (3/29/2016)
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
Solomon Rutzky (3/29/2016)
SQLRNNR (3/29/2016)
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
Finally!!! Somebody who claims experience with sql server that knows getdate(). The response was much as I would expect. An immediate answer that sounded timid and somewhat questioning. They obviously knew getdate() since it rolled off their tongue before even thinking about it and then you could see the look concern as it came out wondering if it really such a stupidly easy question. Especially with the look in their eyes of "seriously these are the kinds of questions you ask?". The upside was I was allowed immediately to switch to page 2 of my questions. Phew!!! There is only 1 more interview this week. At this point there is a clear leader in my mind.If they answer the first question on page 2 correctly, do you get to skip to page 4? The page where you start asking about page internals?
That would be somewhat close to a "choose your own adventure" style test, which would be interesting ;-).
Do you ever have the candidate write code, such as a Stored Procedure, on a white board during the interview? The last place I worked at typically had people do simple queries to prove that they could do LEFT JOIN and HAVING type stuff. But I changed it to having people write a full stored procedure. It was a great way to see how someone would actually code. And if they started out simple, it was a good lead-in to asking about transactions, TRY / CATCH, etc. It was interesting to see people do well on the technical questions but not have much ability to be truly useful. We avoided some close-calls by doing this.
Since this is really a c# position with some requirements for sql we don't have them write any t-sql. We do however have them write a little bit of c#. There is also a test where I hand them a pretty simple program and ask them what is the output. I let them decide if they want to write it down, talk it through or whatever. It is interesting to see people work through the problem.
I realize this example is pretty contrived but it shouldn't be too challenging for anybody with even a few years of development under their belt.
What is the output from the code below?
using System;
namespace ConsoleApplication1
{
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Console.WriteLine(TestOutput("Hello World!"));
Console.ReadKey(true);
}
private static string TestOutput(string DisplayVal)
{
try
{
throw new Exception("Error Message.");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
return DisplayVal;
}
finally
{
Console.WriteLine("Inside Finally.");
}
}
}
}
Right, I hadn't seen that this was a developer position until a few posts later. But it sounds like you have a solid interview process. Just make sure to ask them if there is any value to having Foreign Keys. Developers are more likely to say "no, the app can validate the data going in" (I have had that conversation several times, in fact).
As far as your test code above goes, I would say that there is no output since it is not compiled and C# is not an interpreted language ;-).
Fortunately they likely won't be designing any new tables or anything since this is a contract position for 3-6 months....well until the funds run out. I know what you mean though about foreign keys and doing validation in the application. And your answer I would consider as a valid response. 😎
_______________________________________________________________
Need help? Help us help you.
Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.
Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/
March 29, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Alan.B (3/25/2016)
Anyone want to take a stab at this. Essentially the OP needs a csv splitter that handles text qualifiers; Eirikur Eiriksson's RFC-4180 compliant splitter from this article: This article[/url] would be perfect but it would need to work in SQL Server 2008.
I have a SQL 2008 version of the RFC-4180 compliant parser but I must say that I'm reluctant to post the code because of the rather appalling performance, will look into improving the "beast" if I find the time;-)
😎
March 29, 2016 at 4:29 pm
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
Solomon Rutzky (3/29/2016)
SQLRNNR (3/29/2016)
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
Finally!!! Somebody who claims experience with sql server that knows getdate(). The response was much as I would expect. An immediate answer that sounded timid and somewhat questioning. They obviously knew getdate() since it rolled off their tongue before even thinking about it and then you could see the look concern as it came out wondering if it really such a stupidly easy question. Especially with the look in their eyes of "seriously these are the kinds of questions you ask?". The upside was I was allowed immediately to switch to page 2 of my questions. Phew!!! There is only 1 more interview this week. At this point there is a clear leader in my mind.If they answer the first question on page 2 correctly, do you get to skip to page 4? The page where you start asking about page internals?
That would be somewhat close to a "choose your own adventure" style test, which would be interesting ;-).
Do you ever have the candidate write code, such as a Stored Procedure, on a white board during the interview? The last place I worked at typically had people do simple queries to prove that they could do LEFT JOIN and HAVING type stuff. But I changed it to having people write a full stored procedure. It was a great way to see how someone would actually code. And if they started out simple, it was a good lead-in to asking about transactions, TRY / CATCH, etc. It was interesting to see people do well on the technical questions but not have much ability to be truly useful. We avoided some close-calls by doing this.
Since this is really a c# position with some requirements for sql we don't have them write any t-sql. We do however have them write a little bit of c#. There is also a test where I hand them a pretty simple program and ask them what is the output. I let them decide if they want to write it down, talk it through or whatever. It is interesting to see people work through the problem.
I realize this example is pretty contrived but it shouldn't be too challenging for anybody with even a few years of development under their belt.
What is the output from the code below?
using System;
namespace ConsoleApplication1
{
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Console.WriteLine(TestOutput("Hello World!"));
Console.ReadKey(true);
}
private static string TestOutput(string DisplayVal)
{
try
{
throw new Exception("Error Message.");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
return DisplayVal;
}
finally
{
Console.WriteLine("Inside Finally.");
}
}
}
}
WOOHOO! I'm not a developer but gave it my best guess and I was right. Feeln' good. 😀
March 30, 2016 at 2:30 am
Chad Crawford (3/29/2016)
Feeln' good. 😀
+1
I am a developer and I knew the answer :w00t:
:sick: Blurgh! I hate C#
Far away is close at hand in the images of elsewhere.
Anon.
March 30, 2016 at 5:31 am
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
We have a stringent list of requirements:•Have a pulse.
•Be reasonably competent as a developer.
So basically you're discriminating against vampires and zombies.
Good to know. I'll warn my cousin not to apply.
:hehe:
March 30, 2016 at 7:05 am
Brandie Tarvin (3/30/2016)
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
We have a stringent list of requirements:•Have a pulse.
•Be reasonably competent as a developer.
So basically you're discriminating against vampires and zombies.
Good to know. I'll warn my cousin not to apply.
:hehe:
To be fair to your cousin we don't actually check the pulse as long as they are functional vampire or zombie that can reasonable present the existence of a pulse they should be good to go. 😉
_______________________________________________________________
Need help? Help us help you.
Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.
Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/
March 30, 2016 at 7:20 am
David Burrows (3/30/2016)
Chad Crawford (3/29/2016)
Feeln' good. 😀+1
I am a developer and I knew the answer :w00t:
:sick: Blurgh! I hate C#
Not to start a huge debate or anything but what is so awful about C# that you have such negative feelings about it? I can understand some languages causing such hatred like RPG or JCL. If C# is so awful, what language(s) do you prefer and why?
_______________________________________________________________
Need help? Help us help you.
Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.
Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/
March 30, 2016 at 7:43 am
Sean Lange (3/30/2016)
Not to start a huge debate or anything but what is so awful about C# that you have such negative feelings about it? I can understand some languages causing such hatred like RPG or JCL. If C# is so awful, what language(s) do you prefer and why?
It more a personal familiarity than C# is awful.
I have been coding Basic, QBasic and VB for 40+ years and 90+% of my job is working with VB.NET, so trying to remember C# constructs takes me time (I am getting old you know)
I found C and C++ less of a problem, although C# should be easier.
I have converted several C# projects to VB just so that I do not have to work with C# 😉
The only real gripe I have it that I could never get C# IntelliSense and debugging to work well in VS, probably due to some configuration but I just cannot be bothered as my work with C# is so minimal.
There is a lot of debate over which is best.
I work faster and easier with VB so I use VB.
I do not berate people who use C#, whatever floats your boat 😀
Far away is close at hand in the images of elsewhere.
Anon.
March 30, 2016 at 7:45 am
Sean Lange (3/30/2016)
Brandie Tarvin (3/30/2016)
Sean Lange (3/29/2016)
We have a stringent list of requirements:•Have a pulse.
•Be reasonably competent as a developer.
So basically you're discriminating against vampires and zombies.
Good to know. I'll warn my cousin not to apply.
:hehe:
To be fair to your cousin we don't actually check the pulse as long as they are functional vampire or zombie that can reasonable present the existence of a pulse they should be good to go. 😉
Hee. I will let him know. @=)
March 30, 2016 at 8:02 am
David Burrows (3/30/2016)
Sean Lange (3/30/2016)
Not to start a huge debate or anything but what is so awful about C# that you have such negative feelings about it? I can understand some languages causing such hatred like RPG or JCL. If C# is so awful, what language(s) do you prefer and why?It more a personal familiarity than C# is awful.
I have been coding Basic, QBasic and VB for 40+ years and 90+% of my job is working with VB.NET, so trying to remember C# constructs takes me time (I am getting old you know)
I found C and C++ less of a problem, although C# should be easier.
I have converted several C# projects to VB just so that I do not have to work with C# 😉
The only real gripe I have it that I could never get C# IntelliSense and debugging to work well in VS, probably due to some configuration but I just cannot be bothered as my work with C# is so minimal.
There is a lot of debate over which is best.
I work faster and easier with VB so I use VB.
I do not berate people who use C#, whatever floats your boat 😀
Debating over which is best is completely absurd. They both compile to the same thing. 😉 My guess on the intellisense is some settings in VS too. I have had several things over the years handed to me in vb.net. I never considered converting it to c#. That sounds like WAY more effort than it is worth. I know what you mean about productivity though. I have worked some with vb.net and my production speed is less than half because I have to hit google for some syntax things that should be second nature. I spent a fair amount of time in the old VB days so the completely obtuse syntax of some things in vb.net are not horrific. It is funny that it is kind of an english like language but the syntax makes Yoda confused with the awkward sentence construction sometimes. 😀
_______________________________________________________________
Need help? Help us help you.
Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.
Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/
March 30, 2016 at 8:23 am
Sean Lange (3/30/2016)
David Burrows (3/30/2016)
Chad Crawford (3/29/2016)
Feeln' good. 😀+1
I am a developer and I knew the answer :w00t:
:sick: Blurgh! I hate C#
Not to start a huge debate or anything but what is so awful about C# that you have such negative feelings about it? I can understand some languages causing such hatred like RPG or JCL. If C# is so awful, what language(s) do you prefer and why?
Many times your perception of language is determined by your troubleshooting experience.
And the code some other developer left for you that's causing a problem.
RPG - I've seen it represent itself as understandable as well written and easy to follow the flow.
And as spaghetti, a pile of noodles with no sauce.
Part of it too is likely your exposure level when a production issue is tossed over the wall at you.
Some managers seem to think all the languages are the same, and all coders have the same style.
You see so many job descriptions that imply if you can start your car in the morning, if it dies halfway to work, you should be able to fix it using a toothbrush. And still be there early.
On something that will help your mind wander away from the generally dismal interview process, this weekend BBQ Ribs on the menu at our annual Grand Marais poker weekend. I am hungry already.
March 30, 2016 at 8:28 am
Greg Edwards-268690 (3/30/2016)
On something that will help your mind wander away from the generally dismal interview process, this weekend BBQ Ribs on the menu at our annual Grand Marais poker weekend. I am hungry already.
After reading that, now I'm hungry. 😛
March 30, 2016 at 8:30 am
Sean Lange (3/30/2016)
Debating over which is best is completely absurd. They both compile to the same thing. 😉 My guess on the intellisense is some settings in VS too. I have had several things over the years handed to me in vb.net. I never considered converting it to c#. That sounds like WAY more effort than it is worth. I know what you mean about productivity though. I have worked some with vb.net and my production speed is less than half because I have to hit google for some syntax things that should be second nature. I spent a fair amount of time in the old VB days so the completely obtuse syntax of some things in vb.net are not horrific. It is funny that it is kind of an english like language but the syntax makes Yoda confused with the awkward sentence construction sometimes. 😀
+100%
Far away is close at hand in the images of elsewhere.
Anon.
March 30, 2016 at 8:30 am
Greg Edwards-268690 (3/30/2016)
Sean Lange (3/30/2016)
David Burrows (3/30/2016)
Chad Crawford (3/29/2016)
Feeln' good. 😀+1
I am a developer and I knew the answer :w00t:
:sick: Blurgh! I hate C#
Not to start a huge debate or anything but what is so awful about C# that you have such negative feelings about it? I can understand some languages causing such hatred like RPG or JCL. If C# is so awful, what language(s) do you prefer and why?
Many times your perception of language is determined by your troubleshooting experience.
And the code some other developer left for you that's causing a problem.
RPG - I've seen it represent itself as understandable as well written and easy to follow the flow.
And as spaghetti, a pile of noodles with no sauce.
Part of it too is likely your exposure level when a production issue is tossed over the wall at you.
Some managers seem to think all the languages are the same, and all coders have the same style.
You see so many job descriptions that imply if you can start your car in the morning, if it dies halfway to work, you should be able to fix it using a toothbrush. And still be there early.
On something that will help your mind wander away from the generally dismal interview process, this weekend BBQ Ribs on the menu at our annual Grand Marais poker weekend. I am hungry already.
Nice!!! Two of my favorite things...ribs and poker. Add some dark malt beverages you have described my personal nirvana. 🙂 Myself I found a crazy deal on pork shoulders. Full picnics at $1.14/pound. That is unbelievably cheap around here. I picked up 4 of them so I will be firing up my smoker this weekend too.
_______________________________________________________________
Need help? Help us help you.
Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.
Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/
Viewing 15 posts - 53,266 through 53,280 (of 66,712 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply