Hiring guide for DRAKON-Smalltalk. Engineers

DRAKON-Smalltalk. Developer Hiring Guide

DRAKON-Smalltalk is a programming language that combines the visual flowchart-based DRAKON language with the object-oriented Smalltalk language. It allows developers to create software using a more visually intuitive method, making it easier to understand and manage complex code structures. The DRAKON aspect of this hybrid language provides clear and easy-to-follow diagrams for program logic, while Smalltalk brings powerful features like dynamic typing, reflection, and live coding. This combination aims to improve productivity by simplifying the process of writing code while maintaining high readability standards for easier debugging and maintenance.

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

First 20 minutes

General DRAKON-Smalltalk. app knowledge and experience

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

Can you briefly explain what DRAKON-Smalltalk is?
DRAKON-Smalltalk is a programming language that combines the DRAKON visual language with the Smalltalk programming language. It allows for the creation of more readable and understandable software, particularly in complex systems.
What are the benefits of using DRAKON-Smalltalk?
DRAKON-Smalltalk offers clear syntax, dynamic typing, and high-level abstraction. It's suitable for rapid application development and prototyping, and it's easy to read and maintain. The DRAKON visual language aspect helps in visualizing the program structure, making it easier to understand complex systems.
Can you describe the difference between DRAKON and traditional flowcharts?
DRAKON is designed to be more readable and understandable than traditional flowcharts. It has a less cluttered, more linear layout, and its rules and principles are designed to reduce cognitive load. Traditional flowcharts can be more complex and harder to follow, particularly in large systems.
How would you implement a simple class in Smalltalk?
In Smalltalk, a class can be created by sending the message subclass: to an existing class. For example, 'Object subclass: #MyClass' creates a new class named MyClass that is a subclass of Object.
What is the concept of 'everything is an object' in Smalltalk?
In Smalltalk, everything is an object, which means that all entities including integers, arrays, and classes are objects. All computation is performed by objects sending and receiving messages to each other.
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What you’re looking for early on

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

Next 20 minutes

Specific DRAKON-Smalltalk. 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.

How would you handle exceptions in DRAKON-Smalltalk?
Exception handling in DRAKON-Smalltalk is similar to Smalltalk. You can use the on:do: method to handle exceptions. The first argument is the exception class to handle, and the second argument is a block of code to execute when the exception occurs.
Describe the difference between instance variables and class variables in Smalltalk.
Instance variables are unique to each instance of a class, while class variables are shared among all instances of a class. Class variables are useful when all instances need to access or modify the same data.
What are blocks in Smalltalk and how would you use them?
Blocks in Smalltalk are essentially anonymous functions or closures. They can be assigned to variables, passed as arguments to methods, and can capture variables from their surrounding context. They are created using square brackets.
How would you implement polymorphism in Smalltalk?
Polymorphism in Smalltalk is achieved through its dynamic typing system. It allows a method to be invoked on objects of different classes as long as they understand the message. It promotes flexibility and expressiveness in the code.
What is the role of the Transcript in Smalltalk?
The Transcript is a global object in Smalltalk that represents a text window for output. It's often used for logging and debugging purposes. You can write to it using the 'Transcript show:' method.
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The ideal back-end app developer

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

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

What does this simple DRAKON-Smalltalk code do?
Transcript show: 'Hello, World!'; cr
This code prints the string 'Hello, World!' to the Transcript, which is Smalltalk's equivalent of a console or terminal.
What does this DRAKON-Smalltalk code do?
| a b |
a := 5.
b := 10.
a + b
This code declares two temporary variables a and b, assigns them the values 5 and 10 respectively, and then adds them together. The result, 15, is the value of the last expression.
What does this DRAKON-Smalltalk code do?
| array |
array := #(1 2 3 4 5).
array do: [:each | Transcript show: each printString; cr]
This code declares an array with the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. It then iterates over each element of the array and prints it to the Transcript.
What does this DRAKON-Smalltalk code do?
[Transcript show: 'Hello, World!'; cr] fork
This code creates a new process that prints 'Hello, World!' to the Transcript. The fork message creates a new process and schedules it to run.

Wrap-up questions

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

How would you create a graphical user interface in DRAKON-Smalltalk?
DRAKON-Smalltalk does not have built-in support for creating graphical user interfaces. However, since it is based on Smalltalk, you can use Smalltalk's libraries and frameworks for creating GUIs.
What are metaclasses in Smalltalk?
In Smalltalk, every class has a metaclass, which is a class of the class itself. Metaclasses define behavior that is specific to a particular class, not its instances.
How would you implement concurrency in DRAKON-Smalltalk?
DRAKON-Smalltalk does not have built-in support for concurrency. However, since it is based on Smalltalk, you can use Smalltalk's concurrency primitives, such as Processes and Semaphores, to implement concurrent behavior.

DRAKON-Smalltalk. application related

Product Perfect's DRAKON-Smalltalk. development capabilities

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