Hiring guide for DRAKON-SAS Engineers

DRAKON-SAS Developer Hiring Guide

DRAKON-SAS is a programming language derived from the DRAKON visual language designed by the Russian space program for developing software that controls spacecraft. It combines both graphical and textual elements to create a hybrid approach to coding. This unconventional method allows developers to visualize their code in flowchart form, making it easier for non-programmers and beginners to understand complex algorithms or control structures within the codebase. Its syntax is simple enough for novices, yet powerful enough for experienced programmers. It's highly readable due its focus on clarity over brevity, which makes debugging and maintenance more straightforward than with many other languages. While not as popular or widely used as mainstream languages like Python or JavaScript, DRAKON-SAS has found its niche among those who value clear logic visualization and ease of understanding in their coding practices.

Ask the right questions secure the right DRAKON-SAS talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.

First 20 minutes

General DRAKON-SAS app knowledge and experience

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

How would you define DRAKON-SAS?
DRAKON-SAS is a visual language for specifications from the DRAKON family of languages. It is designed to represent knowledge in a human-friendly form.
What are the main components of DRAKON-SAS?
The main components of DRAKON-SAS are the DRAKON Editor and the DRAKON Virtual Machine.
Describe the difference between DRAKON-SAS and traditional programming languages.
DRAKON-SAS is a visual language, which means it uses diagrams to represent code, while traditional programming languages use text. This makes DRAKON-SAS more intuitive and easier to understand for non-programmers.
How would you create a new DRAKON-SAS diagram?
To create a new DRAKON-SAS diagram, you would use the DRAKON Editor. You can start by creating a new file, then use the editor's tools to add and arrange nodes on the diagram.
What are the benefits of using DRAKON-SAS?
DRAKON-SAS has several benefits. It's easy to understand, even for non-programmers. It helps to reduce errors in code, as the visual representation makes it easier to spot mistakes. It also makes it easier to communicate complex ideas and processes.
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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate have a solid understanding of DRAKON-SAS?
Has the candidate demonstrated problem-solving skills?
Is the candidate able to communicate effectively?
Does the candidate have experience with other programming languages?

Next 20 minutes

Specific DRAKON-SAS 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 DRAKON-SAS diagram and a flowchart.
A DRAKON-SAS diagram is more structured than a flowchart. It has specific rules about how nodes can be arranged and connected, which makes it easier to understand and less prone to errors.
How would you debug a DRAKON-SAS program?
To debug a DRAKON-SAS program, you would use the DRAKON Virtual Machine. It allows you to step through the program one node at a time, so you can see exactly what it's doing and where it's going wrong.
What are the limitations of DRAKON-SAS?
One limitation of DRAKON-SAS is that it's not as flexible as traditional programming languages. It's also not as widely used, so there are fewer resources and less community support available.
Describe the difference between DRAKON-SAS and DRAKON-C.
DRAKON-SAS and DRAKON-C are both members of the DRAKON family of languages, but they have different uses. DRAKON-SAS is a visual language for specifications, while DRAKON-C is a visual language for C programming.
How would you convert a DRAKON-SAS diagram into code?
To convert a DRAKON-SAS diagram into code, you would use the DRAKON Editor's export function. This will generate a text file with the equivalent code in the chosen programming language.
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The ideal back-end app developer

What you’re looking to see on the DRAKON-SAS engineer at this point.

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

What does the following DRAKON-SAS code do?
data _null_; set sashelp.class; if age > 15 then output; run;
This code filters the 'sashelp.class' dataset and outputs only the records where the age is greater than 15.
What will be the output of the following DRAKON-SAS code?
proc sql; select count(*) from sashelp.class where sex = 'F'; quit;
This code will output the count of female students in the 'sashelp.class' dataset.
What does the following DRAKON-SAS code do?
data work.new; set sashelp.class; array scores[*] height weight; do over scores; if scores = . then scores = 0; end; run;
This code creates a new dataset 'work.new' from 'sashelp.class'. It creates an array 'scores' for the variables 'height' and 'weight'. It then loops over the array and replaces any missing values with 0.
What does the following DRAKON-SAS code do?
data work.new; set sashelp.class; if _n_ = 1 then do; call sleep(5); end; run;
This code creates a new dataset 'work.new' from 'sashelp.class'. It introduces a delay of 5 seconds when processing the first record of the dataset.

Wrap-up questions

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

What are the rules for arranging nodes on a DRAKON-SAS diagram?
In a DRAKON-SAS diagram, each node represents a step in the process. Nodes are arranged vertically in the order they are executed. Control flow can move down and to the right, but not up or to the left. This makes the flow of control clear and easy to follow.
How would you handle errors in a DRAKON-SAS program?
To handle errors in a DRAKON-SAS program, you would use the DRAKON Virtual Machine's error handling features. This includes breakpoints, which allow you to pause the program when an error occurs, and exception handling, which allows you to specify what the program should do in case of specific errors.
Describe the difference between DRAKON-SAS and DRAKON-JS.
DRAKON-SAS and DRAKON-JS are both members of the DRAKON family of languages, but they are used for different purposes. DRAKON-SAS is a visual language for specifications, while DRAKON-JS is a visual language for JavaScript programming.

DRAKON-SAS application related

Product Perfect's DRAKON-SAS development capabilities

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