Interview Whiteboard Coding

aka

Live Coding

Steps for success!

1. Gather requirements

2. Break down problem

3. Write pseudocode

4. Code a solution

5. Test the solution

6. Consider changes

Gather Requirements

• Asking too many questions is better than too few
• Establish what your input and output is supposed to be
• Find edge cases
• Write out requirements
• Establish programming language and expected structure
  • Run once "root" code
  • Function

The goal is the clarify the problem to the point that there are no more questions.

Break Down the Problem

• Restate the key points

• Establish the priorities of the problems

Pseudocode

• Don’t write out any code or syntax
• Focus on structure
• Just use plain old English, explain it to your Grandma.

Write a Solution

• Write code! Finally!!!
• Talk with your interviewer about what you are doing
  • THINK OUT LOUD
• Mistakes are okay! 
• Syntax errors are NOT the end of the world!
• Be sure to write neatly so your code can be read

If whiteboarding digitally, you should be able to drop code in a Chrome developer console and execute.

Test

• Walk through the steps of your code verbally, OUT LOUD.
• Assign values your variables. Take us on an input’s journey!
• Test edge cases

Consider changes

• Review and fix any bugs

• Discuss ways to improve

Rules/Expectations

• Do NOT search for the solution for your question.
• You may use the curriculum or the following websites as a reference for Python.
  • https://docs.python.org/3/reference
  • https://docs.python.org/3/library
  • https://realpython.com/
  • https://www.tutorialspoint.com/python3
• A team member should present one section:
  • Requirements clarification & questions asked
  • Break down the problem
  • Present the pseudocode
  • Present the code
  • Run through/Test the code
• The entire class will discuss improvements & enhancements.

Question 1

Write a function that takes in two integers and returns their sum, unless the two integers are equal. If the two integers are equal, then return three times their sum.

Examples:

sum2Integers(10, 20) // --> 30
sum2Integers(10, 10) // --> 60

Question 2

Write a function that takes in integers and returns the integer with the highest value.

(Do NOT use Math.max()!!!)

Example:

findHighest(5, 8, 1) // --> 8
findHighest([4, 1, -3]) // --> 4

Take note of the argument data type options.

Question 3

Write a function that generates a random number between 0-10.

If the number is greater than 5, log “{number} is greater than five!”.

If it is less than 5, log “{number} is less than five!”

Examples:

isFive()

Question 4

Write a function that counts the number of vowels in a string.

The vowels are "a", "e", "i", "o" & "u"

Examples:

countVowels('hello') // --> 2
countVowels('why') // --> 0

Question 5

Write a function that determines if a string is a palindrome.

A palindrome is a string that is the same forward and backwards.

Examples:

isPalindrome('racecar') // --> true
isPalindrome('table') // --> false