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0 pointsrandomdata2y ago0 comments

I write code every day and I still had to ponder your question for quite a while before I could think of a data structure I use regularly by name.

It is not exactly useful knowledge to keep top of mind. It is not like you need to look up how to use daily data structures. I had an easier time remembering the names of data structures I almost never use, or even have never used, as retaining their names actually has some usefulness.

In an interview situation, I expect I would also give up with stating I could not recall any to save the awkwardness of sitting there silent for half an hour racking my brain.

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Shaanie2y ago

I'm sorry, but what? If you can't even remember what list/set/map whatever is called, how are you going to use them? We're not talking about exact syntax here, just what data structures you use...

randomdataOP2y ago

> If you can't even remember what list/set/map whatever is called, how are you going to use them?

Certainly not by dictating their names to my coworker. Why would I need to know their names? I suppose some languages require you to know their names in order to use built-in implementations, but lots of languages use other syntax – often void of natural language (e.g. [], {}, etc.) – to do the same.

I eventually got there, but it took awhile to remember. That's great if you have prioritized trivia to occupy your mind's space, but I have found no reason to.

alex_lav2y ago

> Why would I need to know their names?

Why would you need to _communicate about programming_? Because it's a core part of your job...

> That's great if you have prioritized trivia

Every interview question can be characterized as trivia if you squint hard enough.

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40yearoldman2y ago

I think the part of the question that throws people is “most common”. It begins to sounds like a trick question, because it hat is the most common? Its going to very from code base to code base.

Maybe id the question was name 3 data structures, any 3 it might sit well.

But even so. The question did devolve into list of things somebody should know as a ex developer.

alex_lav2y ago

> I think the part of the question that throws people is “most common”. It begins to sounds like a trick question, because it hat is the most common? Its going to very from code base to code base

That’s pretty textbook overthinking for an interview. The point is that it varies from codebase to codebase. Tell me about what you normally use and I’ll ask questions.

> Maybe id the question was name 3 data structures, any 3 it might sit well.

Trying to get every human to agree on the wording for an extremely easy and general question isn’t a worthwhile use of time though.

> But even so. The question did devolve into list of things somebody should know as a ex developer.

Interesting use of “devolve”. An an interviewer for a technical role, am I not allowed to have a set of required skills? And is a basic understanding of common data structures not allowed to be in that set?

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Shaanie2y ago

I'm sorry, but what? If you can't even remember what list/set/map whatever is called, how are you going to use them? We're not talking about exact syntax here, just what data structures you use...

randomdataOP2y ago

> If you can't even remember what list/set/map whatever is called, how are you going to use them?

I eventually got there, but it took awhile to remember. That's great if you have prioritized trivia to occupy your mind's space, but I have found no reason to.

alex_lav2y ago

> Why would I need to know their names?

Why would you need to _communicate about programming_? Because it's a core part of your job...

> That's great if you have prioritized trivia

Every interview question can be characterized as trivia if you squint hard enough.

1 more reply

40yearoldman2y ago

I think the part of the question that throws people is “most common”. It begins to sounds like a trick question, because it hat is the most common? Its going to very from code base to code base.

Maybe id the question was name 3 data structures, any 3 it might sit well.

But even so. The question did devolve into list of things somebody should know as a ex developer.

alex_lav2y ago

> I think the part of the question that throws people is “most common”. It begins to sounds like a trick question, because it hat is the most common? Its going to very from code base to code base

That’s pretty textbook overthinking for an interview. The point is that it varies from codebase to codebase. Tell me about what you normally use and I’ll ask questions.

> Maybe id the question was name 3 data structures, any 3 it might sit well.

Trying to get every human to agree on the wording for an extremely easy and general question isn’t a worthwhile use of time though.

> But even so. The question did devolve into list of things somebody should know as a ex developer.

2 more replies

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse