Hiring guide for Nemerle Engineers

Nemerle Developer Hiring Guide

Nemerle is a high-level statically-typed programming language designed for the .NET platform. It offers functional, object-oriented and imperative features with a simple C-style syntax. Nemerle provides powerful metaprogramming systems and type inference, making it highly expressive while still maintaining strong static typing. Its main use is in developing software that requires complex compile-time computations or domain-specific languages embedded in code as macros. It was initially developed at Wroclaw University in Poland but has since gained popularity among developers worldwide for its unique blend of features from different programming paradigms.

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

First 20 minutes

General Nemerle app knowledge and experience

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

How would you declare a variable in Nemerle?
You can declare a variable in Nemerle using the 'def' keyword. For example, 'def myVariable = 10;' declares a variable named 'myVariable' and assigns it the value 10.
What are the basic data types in Nemerle?
The basic data types in Nemerle include int, float, bool, string, and char.
How would you define a function in Nemerle?
In Nemerle, you define a function using the 'def' keyword, followed by the function name, parameters, and body. For example, 'def myFunction(x : int) : int { return x * 2; }' defines a function that doubles its input.
What is the syntax for conditional statements in Nemerle?
The syntax for conditional statements in Nemerle is similar to other C-like languages. For example, 'if (condition) { // do something } else { // do something else }'.
How would you create a class in Nemerle?
You can create a class in Nemerle using the 'class' keyword, followed by the class name and body. For example, 'class MyClass { def myMethod() : void { } }' creates a class with a method.
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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate have a solid understanding of Nemerle syntax and semantics?
Has the candidate demonstrated experience with functional programming?
Can the candidate solve problems using Nemerle?
Does the candidate have experience with .NET framework?

Next 20 minutes

Specific Nemerle 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 mutable and immutable variables in Nemerle.
In Nemerle, mutable variables can be changed after they are declared, while immutable variables cannot. You declare mutable variables with the 'var' keyword and immutable variables with the 'def' keyword.
How would you handle exceptions in Nemerle?
In Nemerle, you handle exceptions using try-catch blocks. For example, 'try { // code that might throw an exception } catch (e : Exception) { // handle the exception }'.
What is the purpose of the 'match' keyword in Nemerle?
'match' is used in Nemerle for pattern matching. It's a powerful feature that allows you to check a value against a series of patterns and execute code based on the first match.
How would you use the 'match' keyword to implement a switch-case statement in Nemerle?
You can use the 'match' keyword to implement a switch-case statement in Nemerle. For example, 'match (x) { | 1 => // do something | 2 => // do something else | _ => // default case }'.
Describe the difference between static and instance methods in Nemerle.
In Nemerle, static methods belong to the class itself and can be called without creating an instance of the class. Instance methods, on the other hand, belong to instances of the class and require an object to be called.
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The ideal back-end app developer

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

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

What does this simple Nemerle code do?
def main() : void { System.Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!"); }
This code prints 'Hello, World!' to the console.
What does this Nemerle syntax do?
def factorial(n : int) : int = if (n == 0) 1 else n * factorial(n - 1);
This code defines a recursive function that calculates the factorial of a given integer.
What does this Nemerle code do with an array?
def main() : void { mutable arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; arr.Add(6); System.Console.WriteLine(arr); }
This code creates an array, adds the number 6 to the end of the array, and then prints the array to the console.
What does this Nemerle code do with threading?
def main() : void { mutable thread = System.Threading.Thread(ThreadStart(fun _ => { System.Console.WriteLine("Hello from thread!"); })); thread.Start(); }
This code creates a new thread and starts it. The new thread prints 'Hello from thread!' to the console.

Wrap-up questions

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

How would you implement inheritance in Nemerle?
In Nemerle, you implement inheritance by using the ':' operator. For example, 'class Child : Parent { }' creates a Child class that inherits from the Parent class.
What is the purpose of the 'macro' keyword in Nemerle?
The 'macro' keyword in Nemerle is used to define macros, which are pieces of code that can be called like functions but are expanded at compile time.
How would you use the 'macro' keyword to create a custom control structure in Nemerle?
You can use the 'macro' keyword to create a custom control structure in Nemerle. For example, 'macro myLoop(condition, body) { while (condition) { body; } }' creates a custom loop structure.

Nemerle application related

Product Perfect's Nemerle development capabilities

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