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AssemblyScript is a free and open-source TypeScript-like programming language targeting WebAssembly, a binary instruction format for executing code at near-native speed in web browsers. It was first introduced in 2017 as an alternative to C/C++ and Rust for writing performant web applications. AssemblyScript compiles its strict variant of TypeScript (a superscript of JavaScript) to WebAssembly using Binaryen, its compiler infrastructure project. As it shares syntax and types with TypeScript, developers familiar with JavaScript or Typescript can learn AssemblyScript more easily than other languages that compile to Webassembly. Its development is primarily community-driven through GitHub repositories.

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

First 20 minutes

General AssemblyScript app knowledge and experience

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

How would you define AssemblyScript?

AssemblyScript is a variant of TypeScript that compiles to WebAssembly. It's essentially a strict subset of TypeScript with some additional types that compile directly to WebAssembly's types.

What are the main differences between AssemblyScript and TypeScript?

While AssemblyScript is a subset of TypeScript, it has some differences. AssemblyScript has a more limited set of features, it doesn't support all TypeScript features. It also has some additional types that compile directly to WebAssembly's types.

How would you compile an AssemblyScript program?

To compile an AssemblyScript program, you would use the AssemblyScript compiler, asc. You would run the asc command with the input file and the output file as arguments.

What are the basic data types in AssemblyScript?

AssemblyScript has several basic data types, including integers (i32, i64), floating point numbers (f32, f64), and boolean. It also has some additional types that compile directly to WebAssembly's types, such as v128.

How would you handle errors in AssemblyScript?

AssemblyScript does not have built-in support for exceptions. Instead, you would typically use error codes or manual propagation of error conditions.

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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate demonstrate a strong understanding of AssemblyScript?

Can the candidate articulate how to use and optimize WebAssembly?

Does the candidate have experience with TypeScript?

Is the candidate able to solve complex problems?

Next 20 minutes

Specific AssemblyScript 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 memory management in AssemblyScript and JavaScript.

In JavaScript, memory management is handled automatically by the garbage collector. In AssemblyScript, however, you have to manage memory manually using the memory module, which provides functions for allocating and freeing memory.

What are the advantages of using AssemblyScript over JavaScript?

AssemblyScript can be more efficient and faster than JavaScript for certain types of computations, because it compiles to WebAssembly, which is a binary format that is closer to machine code. It also allows for manual memory management, which can be an advantage in certain situations.

How would you debug an AssemblyScript program?

Debugging an AssemblyScript program can be more challenging than debugging a JavaScript program, because the code is compiled to WebAssembly. However, you can use source maps to map the compiled code back to the original AssemblyScript code, and then use a WebAssembly debugger.

What are the limitations of AssemblyScript?

AssemblyScript has some limitations compared to JavaScript. It has a more limited set of features, it doesn't support all TypeScript features. It also requires manual memory management, which can be more complex and error-prone than automatic memory management.

How would you optimize an AssemblyScript program for performance?

There are several ways to optimize an AssemblyScript program for performance. One way is to use the optimizer that is included with the AssemblyScript compiler. Another way is to manually optimize the code, for example by minimizing the use of memory allocations and deallocations.

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At this point, a skilled AssemblyScript engineer should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency in AssemblyScript 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 AssemblyScript.

What does the following AssemblyScript code do?
export function add(a: i32, b: i32): i32 {
  return a + b;
}
This code defines a function named 'add' that takes two 32-bit integers as arguments and returns their sum.
What will be the output of the following AssemblyScript code?
let a: i32 = 10;
let b: i32 = a++;
console.log(b);
The output will be '10'. The '++' operator increments the value of 'a' after the value is assigned to 'b'. So, 'b' gets the original value of 'a' which is '10'.
What does the following AssemblyScript code do?
let arr: i32[] = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
let sum: i32 = arr.reduce((a: i32, b: i32) => a + b, 0);
This code declares an array of integers and then uses the 'reduce' function to calculate the sum of its elements.
What does the following AssemblyScript code do?
@inline
export function add(a: i32, b: i32): i32 {
  return a + b;
}
This code defines an inline function named 'add' that takes two 32-bit integers as arguments and returns their sum. The '@inline' decorator suggests that the compiler should attempt to inline this function wherever it's called for performance reasons.

Wrap-up questions

Final candidate for AssemblyScript 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 AssemblyScript application deployments. Inquire about their experience in handling system failures and their approach to debugging and troubleshooting.

Describe the difference between static and dynamic typing in the context of AssemblyScript.

AssemblyScript is statically typed, which means that the type of a variable is known at compile time. This is different from dynamically typed languages like JavaScript, where the type of a variable can change at runtime.

What are the use cases for AssemblyScript?

AssemblyScript is particularly useful for performance-critical tasks that can benefit from the efficiency of WebAssembly. This includes tasks like numerical computations, graphics rendering, and game development.

How would you handle asynchronous operations in AssemblyScript?

AssemblyScript does not have built-in support for asynchronous operations like JavaScript's async/await or promises. Instead, you would typically use callbacks or other manual methods to handle asynchronous operations.

AssemblyScript application related

Product Perfect's AssemblyScript development capabilities

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

AssemblyScript Consultive assessments

AssemblyScript Application Conversion Assessment AssemblyScript Application Integration Assessment AssemblyScript Data & Database Integration Assessment

Custom AssemblyScript development projects

Custom AssemblyScript App Conversion AssemblyScript Custom App Development Process App UI Design for AssemblyScript Facelifts

Hiring guide for AssemblyScript Engineers

AssemblyScript Developer Hiring Guide

What you’re looking for early on

The ideal back-end app developer

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

AssemblyScript Consultive assessments

Custom AssemblyScript development projects