Hiring guide for IL (Intermediate Language). Engineers

IL (Intermediate Language). Developer Hiring Guide

Intermediate Language (IL) is a low-level programming language used in the .NET framework. Developed by Microsoft, it functions as a bridge between high-level languages and machine code, making it a crucial component in the compilation process. IL code is generated from the high-level source code before being compiled into native machine code by the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler. This process allows for platform independence, a key feature of the .NET framework. The concept of IL was first introduced in the late 1990s, as part of Microsoft's initiative to create a language-agnostic environment for software development.

Ask the right questions secure the right IL (Intermediate Language). talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.

First 20 minutes

General IL (Intermediate Language). app knowledge and experience

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

What is the purpose of Intermediate Language (IL)?
Intermediate Language (IL) is a low-level programming language used as the output of compilation for later execution by a virtual machine. It serves as a layer of abstraction between a .NET application and the operating system, allowing the application to be platform-independent.
How would you convert IL to machine code?
IL is converted to machine code using a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler when the program is executed.
What are the types of JIT compilers in .NET?
There are three types of JIT compilers in .NET: Pre-JIT, Econo-JIT, and Normal-JIT.
Describe the difference between Pre-JIT and Econo-JIT.
Pre-JIT compiles complete source code into native code in a single compilation cycle. This is done at the time of application deployment. Econo-JIT compiles only those methods that are called at runtime. These compiled methods are removed when they are not required.
How would you handle exceptions in IL code?
Exceptions in IL code are handled using the .try, .catch, .filter, .finally, and .fault directives.
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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate have a solid understanding of IL (Intermediate Language)?
Has the candidate demonstrated problem-solving skills during the interview?
Is the candidate able to communicate effectively about technical concepts?
Does the candidate have experience with the specific tools and technologies used in your company's IL development?

Next 20 minutes

Specific IL (Intermediate Language). 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 in the execution of a .NET application?
The steps in the execution of a .NET application are: compilation of the source code into CIL code, conversion of CIL code into bytecode, and execution of the bytecode.
Describe the difference between managed and unmanaged code.
Managed code is the code that is written in a language that is understood by the .NET framework (C#, VB.NET, etc.). It is executed by CLR, not the operating system. Unmanaged code is directly executed by the operating system. It is written in languages like C++, VB6, etc.
What is the role of the CLR in .NET?
The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is an important part of the .NET framework. It manages the execution of .NET programs and provides important services like memory management, security management, exception handling, garbage collection, and thread management.
What is CIL?
Common Intermediate Language (CIL) is a set of instructions or commands that can be executed by the CLR. It is platform-independent, making .NET applications portable across different platforms.
How would you explain the process of JIT compilation in .NET?
In .NET, when a CIL application is executed, the CLR uses a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler to convert the CIL code into code native to the operating system. The native code is then executed.
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The ideal back-end app developer

What you’re looking to see on the IL (Intermediate Language). engineer at this point.

At this point, a skilled IL (Intermediate Language). engineer should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency in IL (Intermediate Language). 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 IL (Intermediate Language)..

What does this simple IL code do?
.method public hidebysig static void Main() cil managed
{
.entrypoint
ldstr "Hello, World!"
call void [mscorlib]System.Console::WriteLine(string)
ret
}
This IL code defines the entry point of a program and prints 'Hello, World!' to the console.
What will be the output of this IL code?
.method public hidebysig static void Main() cil managed
{
.entrypoint
ldc.i4.5
ldc.i4.6
add
call void [mscorlib]System.Console::WriteLine(int32)
ret
}
This IL code will output '11'. It loads the numbers 5 and 6 onto the stack, adds them together, and then prints the result.
What does this IL code do with an array?
.method public hidebysig static void Main() cil managed
{
.entrypoint
ldc.i4.5
newarr [mscorlib]System.Int32
dup
ldc.i4.0
ldc.i4.10
stelem.i4
call void [mscorlib]System.Console::WriteLine(int32)
ret
}
This IL code creates an array of integers with 5 elements, sets the first element to 10, and then prints the first element of the array.
What does this IL code do with threading?
.method public hidebysig static void Main() cil managed
{
.entrypoint
newobj instance void [mscorlib]System.Threading.ThreadStart::.ctor(object, native int)
newobj instance void [mscorlib]System.Threading.Thread::.ctor(class [mscorlib]System.Threading.ThreadStart)
dup
callvirt instance void [mscorlib]System.Threading.Thread::Start()
ret
}
This IL code creates a new ThreadStart delegate, creates a new Thread with that delegate, and then starts the thread.

Wrap-up questions

Final candidate for IL (Intermediate Language). 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 IL (Intermediate Language). application deployments. Inquire about their experience in handling system failures and their approach to debugging and troubleshooting.

What is MSIL?
Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) is a CPU-independent set of instructions that can be efficiently converted to native code. It is not interpreted but instead is always JIT-compiled before execution.
Describe the difference between CIL and MSIL.
CIL and MSIL are essentially the same. MSIL was the name used for the intermediate code in the earlier versions of .NET, while CIL is the name used in the current and later versions.
What is the role of the .NET framework in IL?
.NET Framework provides a runtime environment called CLR which runs the IL code. It provides several services such as memory management, exception handling, debugging, security, etc.

IL (Intermediate Language). application related

Product Perfect's IL (Intermediate Language). development capabilities

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