Hiring guide for ACC Engineers

ACC Developer Hiring Guide

ACC is a general-purpose programming language developed by IBM in the 1960s. It was designed as a successor to FORTRAN, and is still used today in some scientific and engineering applications. **Sources:** * [IBM ACC Language Reference](https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSQNUZ_1.3.0/com.ibm.xlcpp.doc/language/acc_language_ref.htm) * [Wikipedia article on ACC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACC_(programming_language))

Ask the right questions secure the right ACC talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.

First 20 minutes

General ACC app knowledge and experience

The first 20 minutes of the interview should seek to understand the candidate's general background in ACC application development, including their experience with various programming languages, databases, and their approach to designing scalable and maintainable systems.

How would you explain ACC development to a non-technical person?
ACC development involves creating, testing, and improving software applications using the Adobe Campaign Classic (ACC) platform. It's like building a house, but instead of bricks and cement, we use code to build software that people can use.
What are some key features of Adobe Campaign Classic?
Some key features include email marketing, cross-channel campaign management, real-time analytics, and personalized target marketing.
Describe the difference between ACC and ACS?
Adobe Campaign Classic (ACC) is an on-premise solution, while Adobe Campaign Standard (ACS) is a cloud-based solution. ACC offers more customization and flexibility, while ACS is more user-friendly and easier to set up.
How would you handle a situation where your code isn't working as expected in ACC?
I would first try to debug the code, checking for any syntax errors or logical errors. If that doesn't work, I would use the ACC's logging and error reporting features to identify the issue.
What are some best practices for ACC development?
Some best practices include following coding standards, writing clean and maintainable code, testing thoroughly, and documenting your work.
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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate have a strong understanding of ACC development?
Has the candidate demonstrated problem-solving skills?
Is the candidate able to communicate effectively?
Does the candidate have experience with the specific tools and technologies used by your company?

Next 20 minutes

Specific ACC development questions

The next 20 minutes of the interview should focus on the candidate's expertise with specific backend frameworks, their understanding of RESTful APIs, and their experience in handling data storage and retrieval efficiently.

Describe the difference between a workflow and a campaign in ACC?
A workflow is a sequence of tasks or operations, while a campaign is a marketing project that can contain multiple workflows.
How would you ensure data security in ACC?
I would follow Adobe's recommended security practices, such as using secure connections, limiting access to sensitive data, and regularly updating and patching the software.
What are the steps to set up a campaign in ACC?
The steps include defining the campaign, creating and configuring workflows, defining the target audience, setting up the delivery method, and launching the campaign.
Describe the difference between a delivery and a delivery template in ACC?
A delivery is a specific instance of a message sent to a target audience, while a delivery template is a reusable blueprint for creating deliveries.
How would you troubleshoot a failed delivery in ACC?
I would first check the delivery logs for any errors or warnings. Then, I would verify the delivery settings and the target audience. If necessary, I would also check the server and network conditions.
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The ideal back-end app developer

What you’re looking to see on the ACC engineer at this point.

At this point, a skilled ACC engineer should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency in ACC programming language, and knowledge of software development methodologies. Red flags include lack of hands-on experience, inability to articulate complex concepts, or unfamiliarity with standard coding practices.

Digging deeper

Code questions

These will help you see the candidate's real-world development capabilities with ACC.

What does the following simple ACC code do?
{
  'name': 'John',
  'age': 30,
  'city': 'New York'
}
This code defines a JSON object with three properties: name, age, and city. The values of these properties are 'John', 30, and 'New York' respectively.
What will be the output of the following ACC code?
{
  'employees': [
    {'firstName':'John', 'lastName':'Doe'},
    {'firstName':'Anna', 'lastName':'Smith'},
    {'firstName':'Peter', 'lastName':'Jones'}
  ]
}
This code defines a JSON object with a single property 'employees'. The value of this property is an array of objects, each with properties 'firstName' and 'lastName'. The output will be a list of employees with their first and last names.
What does the following ACC code do?
{
  'fruits': ['apple', 'banana', 'mango'],
  'vegetables': ['carrot', 'peas']
}
This code defines a JSON object with two properties: 'fruits' and 'vegetables'. The value of each property is an array. The 'fruits' array contains three elements: 'apple', 'banana', and 'mango'. The 'vegetables' array contains two elements: 'carrot' and 'peas'.
What will be the output of the following ACC code?
{
  'person': {
    'name': 'John',
    'age': 30,
    'city': 'New York',
    'cars': ['Ford', 'BMW', 'Fiat']
  }
}
This code defines a JSON object with a single property 'person'. The value of this property is another object with four properties: 'name', 'age', 'city', and 'cars'. The 'cars' property is an array of strings. The output will be a person object with details about the person's name, age, city, and list of cars.

Wrap-up questions

Final candidate for ACC Developer role questions

The final few questions should evaluate the candidate's teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, assess their knowledge of microservices architecture, serverless computing, and how they handle ACC application deployments. Inquire about their experience in handling system failures and their approach to debugging and troubleshooting.

What are some ways to optimize the performance of ACC?
Some ways include optimizing the database, tuning the server settings, reducing the complexity of workflows, and using indexes and partitions effectively.
Describe the difference between a one-time delivery and a recurring delivery in ACC?
A one-time delivery is sent only once to a target audience, while a recurring delivery is sent multiple times according to a specified schedule.
How would you implement personalization in ACC?
I would use ACC's personalization fields and scripts to customize the content based on the recipient's profile and behavior data.

ACC application related

Product Perfect's ACC development capabilities

Beyond hiring for your ACC engineering team, you may be in the market for additional help. Product Perfect provides seasoned expertise in ACC projects, and can engage in multiple capacities.