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dBase is a software programming language and database management system (DBMS) that was first developed in the 1970s. It uses command-driven functionality for managing data, creating forms and reports, as well as executing queries. The dBase system includes the core database engine, a query system, a forms engine, plus a programming language that ties all of these components together. dBase's underlying file format is .dbf which became one of the most widely used formats for storing structured data. Its popularity peaked during the late 80s to early 90s but it still remains in use by some businesses for simple business applications or to maintain legacy systems. The language itself is easy-to-use yet powerful enough to develop complex applications. It allows users to manipulate databases intuitively with commands like LIST and APPEND while offering more advanced functionalities through its rich set of procedural constructs such as loops and conditionals. Despite being overshadowed by newer DBMS technologies like SQL Server or MySQL today, dBase retains historical significance because it was among the earliest widely adopted systems for managing databases on personal computers.

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

First 20 minutes

General DBase app knowledge and experience

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

What are the primary data types in DBase?

The primary data types in DBase are Character, Numeric, Date, Logical, and Memo.

How would you create a new database file in DBase?

To create a new database file in DBase, you would use the 'CREATE DATABASE' command followed by the name of the database.

What is the purpose of the USE command in DBase?

The USE command in DBase is used to open an existing database file.

Describe the difference between the PACK and ZAP commands in DBase.

The PACK command permanently removes records marked for deletion from the database, while the ZAP command deletes all records in the database.

How would you add a new record to a database in DBase?

To add a new record to a database in DBase, you would use the 'APPEND' command.

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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate have a strong understanding of DBase?

Has the candidate demonstrated problem-solving skills?

Is the candidate able to communicate effectively?

Does the candidate have experience with other database systems?

Next 20 minutes

Specific DBase 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.

What are the steps to create an index in DBase?

To create an index in DBase, you would use the 'INDEX ON' command followed by the field name and then 'TO' followed by the index name.

How would you modify an existing record in DBase?

To modify an existing record in DBase, you would use the 'REPLACE' command.

What is the purpose of the SEEK command in DBase?

The SEEK command in DBase is used to search for a specific record in an indexed database.

Describe the difference between the SKIP and GO commands in DBase.

The SKIP command moves the record pointer a specified number of records, while the GO command moves the record pointer to a specific record number.

How would you create a relational database in DBase?

To create a relational database in DBase, you would use the 'SET RELATION' command to establish a relationship between two tables based on a common field.

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

What does the following simple SQL statement do?
SELECT * FROM Employees WHERE EmpID = 123;
This code snippet retrieves all columns of data for the employee with an ID of 123 from the 'Employees' table.
What does the following SQL statement do?
UPDATE Employees SET Salary = Salary * 1.10 WHERE EmpID = 123;
This code snippet increases the salary of the employee with an ID of 123 by 10% in the 'Employees' table.
What does the following SQL statement do?
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Employees WHERE Salary > 50000;
This code snippet counts the number of employees in the 'Employees' table who have a salary greater than 50000.
What does the following SQL statement do?
SELECT EmpID, Name, Salary FROM Employees ORDER BY Salary DESC;
This code snippet retrieves the employee ID, name, and salary for all employees in the 'Employees' table, and sorts the results in descending order by salary.

Wrap-up questions

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

What are the steps to create a stored procedure in DBase?

To create a stored procedure in DBase, you would use the 'CREATE PROCEDURE' command followed by the procedure name and any parameters.

How would you handle errors in DBase?

To handle errors in DBase, you would use the 'ON ERROR' command to specify an error handling routine.

Describe the difference between the STORE and @...GET commands in DBase.

The STORE command assigns a value to a memory variable, while the @...GET command displays a field for input and assigns the input to a memory variable.

DBase application related

Product Perfect's DBase development capabilities

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

DBase Consultive assessments

DBase Application Conversion Assessment DBase Application Integration Assessment DBase Data & Database Integration Assessment

Custom DBase development projects

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

Hiring guide for DBase Engineers

DBase Developer Hiring Guide

What you’re looking for early on

The ideal back-end app developer

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

DBase Consultive assessments

Custom DBase development projects