Hiring guide for EC++ Engineers

EC++ Developer Hiring Guide

EC++ is a variant of the C++ programming language, specifically designed for embedded systems. It was developed in the late 1990s by an industry group led by major companies like Siemens and Texas Instruments. EC++ aimed to provide a lighter, more efficient version of C++, suitable for devices with limited resources. However, it faced criticism from Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++, who argued that it fragmented the language and lacked necessary features. Despite its initial popularity, EC++ has largely been superseded by later versions of standard C++. [Sources: "The Design and Evolution of C++" (Addison-Wesley), "A History of Modern Computing" (MIT Press)]

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

First 20 minutes

General EC++ app knowledge and experience

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

How would you define EC++?
EC++ is a subset of C++ designed for embedded systems. It was created to address the challenges of using C++ in embedded systems, such as limited resources and real-time constraints.
What are the key differences between C++ and EC++?
EC++ is a subset of C++, designed specifically for embedded systems. It excludes some features of C++ that are considered to be unsafe or unsuitable for embedded systems, such as exceptions, templates, and multiple inheritance.
How would you handle memory management in EC++?
In EC++, memory management is typically done manually using the new and delete operators. However, it's important to be careful to avoid memory leaks and dangling pointers.
What are the benefits of using EC++ for embedded systems?
EC++ provides the benefits of object-oriented programming while being more suitable for embedded systems. It excludes some features of C++ that can cause problems in embedded systems, such as exceptions and templates.
Describe the difference between stack and heap memory in EC++.
Stack memory is used for static memory allocation and heap for dynamic memory allocation. Stack is faster to allocate and deallocate, but its size is determined at compile time. Heap is more flexible, but managing it can be more complex.
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What you’re looking for early on

Has the candidate demonstrated a strong understanding of EC++ concepts?
Does the candidate show good problem-solving skills?
Is the candidate able to communicate effectively?
Can the candidate handle criticism and feedback?

Next 20 minutes

Specific EC++ 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 debug a program in EC++?
Debugging in EC++ can be done using a variety of tools, such as debuggers, emulators, and simulators. It's also important to use good programming practices, such as writing clear, modular code and using assertions.
What are the key principles of object-oriented programming in EC++?
The key principles of object-oriented programming in EC++ are encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Encapsulation is about hiding the internal state of an object, inheritance allows for code reuse and polymorphism allows for objects to be treated as instances of their parent class.
Describe the difference between a class and a struct in EC++.
In EC++, the main difference between a class and a struct is the default access level. In a class, members are private by default, while in a struct, they are public. Otherwise, they can both have methods, constructors, and destructors.
How would you handle exceptions in EC++?
EC++ does not support exceptions. Error handling must be done using other techniques, such as returning error codes or using setjmp and longjmp functions.
What are the limitations of EC++?
EC++ excludes some features of C++ that can be useful, such as exceptions, templates, and multiple inheritance. It also lacks standard libraries, which can make some tasks more difficult.
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The ideal back-end app developer

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

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

What does the following EC++ code do?
int x = 5;
if (x > 0) {
  x = x * 2;
}
return x;
The code checks if the value of 'x' is greater than 0. If it is, it multiplies 'x' by 2. So the final value of 'x' returned will be 10.
What is the output of this EC++ code?
int a = 10, b = 20;
int result = (a > b) ? a : b;
return result;
This code uses the ternary operator to compare 'a' and 'b'. It returns the greater value, which in this case is 'b', so the output will be 20.
What does the following EC++ code snippet do?
int arr[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
  arr[i] = arr[i] * 2;
}
return arr;
This code initializes an array of 5 integers and then doubles each value in the array using a for loop. The final returned array will be {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}.
What does the following EC++ code do?
#include 
void func() {
  // some code
}
int main() {
  std::thread t1(func);
  t1.join();
  return 0;
}
This code creates a new thread 't1' that runs the function 'func'. The 'join' function is called on 't1' to ensure the main thread waits for 't1' to finish execution before it continues.

Wrap-up questions

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

How would you optimize code in EC++?
Optimizing code in EC++ involves techniques such as minimizing memory usage, reducing function call overhead, and optimizing loops. It's also important to understand the hardware and the compiler.
Describe the difference between pass by value and pass by reference in EC++.
Pass by value means that a copy of the argument is passed to the function, while pass by reference means that a reference to the argument is passed. Pass by reference allows the function to modify the original argument.
How would you implement multithreading in EC++?
EC++ does not support multithreading directly. However, it can be implemented using platform-specific APIs or libraries. It's important to be aware of issues such as race conditions and deadlocks.

EC++ application related

Product Perfect's EC++ development capabilities

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