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LESS, an acronym for Leaner CSS, is a dynamic preprocessor style sheet language that can be compiled into Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and run on the client-side or server-side. Developed by Alexis Sellier in 2009, it introduced variables, mixins, functions and many other techniques that allow you to make CSS more maintainable. LESS extends the functionality of CSS making it faster and easier to develop robust websites. It has been widely adopted by developers globally due to its simplicity and efficiency. The open-source project is hosted on GitHub with comprehensive documentation available for reference.

Ask the right questions secure the right LESS (Leaner CSS) talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.

First 20 minutes

General LESS (Leaner CSS) app knowledge and experience

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

What are the benefits of using LESS?

LESS allows for cleaner and more organized CSS, it includes features like variables, mixins, functions, and operations that help to extend the CSS language, making it more maintainable and extendable.

How would you define a variable in LESS?

To define a variable in LESS, you would use the following syntax: '@variable-name: value;'. For example, '@primary-color: #333;'.

What are mixins in LESS?

Mixins in LESS are a way of including ('mixing in') a bunch of properties from one rule-set into another rule-set.

Describe the difference between LESS and CSS.

LESS is a pre-processor for CSS that provides features like variables, mixins, and functions. It extends the capabilities of CSS. The output of LESS is standard CSS.

How would you compile LESS into CSS?

LESS can be compiled into CSS using a LESS compiler. This can be done through various methods such as command line compilers, desktop applications or through task runners like Grunt or Gulp.

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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate possess a strong understanding of LESS and its syntax?

How well does the candidate understand CSS, HTML, and JavaScript?

Can the candidate solve complex problems using LESS?

Does the candidate demonstrate good coding practices?

Next 20 minutes

Specific LESS (Leaner CSS) 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 is the use of the @import directive in LESS?

The @import directive is used to import the contents of one LESS file into another. This allows for modularity in the CSS code.

How would you use a mixin in LESS?

A mixin can be used in LESS by including it in a rule-set using the following syntax: '.mixin-name;'. For example, '.border-radius(5px);'.

What are nested rules in LESS?

Nested rules in LESS allow you to nest your CSS selectors in a way that follows the same visual hierarchy of your HTML.

How would you use nested rules in LESS?

Nested rules can be used in LESS by placing rule-sets within other rule-sets. The inner rule-sets will become part of the outer rule-set.

What is the use of the @media directive in LESS?

The @media directive is used in LESS to include CSS properties only if a certain condition is true. It is commonly used for making responsive designs.

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At this point, a skilled LESS (Leaner CSS) engineer should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency in LESS (Leaner CSS) 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 LESS (Leaner CSS).

What does this simple LESS code do?
@color: #4D926F;

#header {
  color: @color;
}
This code defines a variable '@color' and assigns it a color value. Then it applies this color to the text inside the 'header' element.
What is the output of this LESS code?
.mixin(@color: black; @padding: 10px) {
  color: @color;
  padding: @padding;
}

.special {
  .mixin(@color: white; @padding: 20px);
}
This code defines a mixin '.mixin' with two parameters '@color' and '@padding' and assigns them default values. Then it uses this mixin in the '.special' class, overriding the default values. The output will be a '.special' class with color white and padding 20px.
What does this LESS code do?
.loop (@index) when (@index > 0) {
  .class@{index} {
    width: (@index * 10px);
  }
  .loop(@index - 1);
}
.loop (10);
This code uses a recursive mixin to create 10 classes with names '.class1' through '.class10', each with a width that is 10 times its index.
What does this LESS code do?
@iterations: 5;
.mixin (@i: 1) when (@i <= @iterations) {
  .item-@{i} { width: (@i * 20%); }
  .mixin(@i + 1);
}
.mixin();
This code uses a recursive mixin to create 5 classes with names '.item-1' through '.item-5', each with a width that is 20% times its index.

Wrap-up questions

Final candidate for LESS (Leaner CSS) 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 LESS (Leaner CSS) application deployments. Inquire about their experience in handling system failures and their approach to debugging and troubleshooting.

How would you use operations in LESS?

Operations can be used in LESS to perform arithmetic calculations. For example, '@width: 100px; @height: @width + 100px;'.

What are functions in LESS and how would you use them?

Functions in LESS are used to transform values. They can be used in a similar way to how they are used in other programming languages. For example, 'color: lighten(@color, 10%);'.

Describe the difference between mixins and functions in LESS.

Mixins in LESS are used to include properties from one rule-set into another, while functions are used to transform values.

LESS (Leaner CSS) application related

Product Perfect's LESS (Leaner CSS) development capabilities

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

LESS (Leaner CSS) Consultive assessments

LESS (Leaner CSS) Application Conversion Assessment LESS (Leaner CSS) Application Integration Assessment LESS (Leaner CSS) Data & Database Integration Assessment

Custom LESS (Leaner CSS) development projects

Custom LESS (Leaner CSS) App Conversion LESS (Leaner CSS) Custom App Development Process App UI Design for LESS (Leaner CSS) Facelifts

Hiring guide for LESS (Leaner CSS) Engineers

LESS (Leaner CSS) Developer Hiring Guide

What you’re looking for early on

The ideal back-end app developer

What you’re looking to see on the LESS (Leaner CSS) engineer at this point.

LESS (Leaner CSS) Consultive assessments

Custom LESS (Leaner CSS) development projects