Hiring guide for Pyret. Engineers

Pyret. Developer Hiring Guide

Pyret is a programming language developed by Brown University's Computer Science Department, designed to serve as an educational tool for teaching computer science (Brown CS, 2012). It aims to simplify the syntax and semantics of programming languages, making it easier for beginners to grasp. Pyret's design focuses on scripting, data analysis, and testing - aspects often overlooked in other educational languages. Notably, it features a robust error message system that provides detailed feedback to help users understand and rectify their mistakes (PLT Design Inc., 2015). This innovative approach has positioned Pyret as a pioneering instrument in the field of computer science education.

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

First 20 minutes

General Pyret. app knowledge and experience

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

How would you install Pyret on your local machine?
You can install Pyret by cloning the Pyret GitHub repository and following the instructions in the README file. You'll need to have Node.js and npm installed on your machine.
What are the basic data types in Pyret?
The basic data types in Pyret are Number, String, Boolean, Function, and Data.
How would you declare a variable in Pyret?
You can declare a variable in Pyret using the 'var' keyword, followed by the variable name and its value. For example, 'var x = 10'.
Describe the difference between a function and a method in Pyret.
A function is a standalone entity that can take input, process it, and return output. A method, on the other hand, is associated with an object and can access and modify the data within that object.
What are the control flow structures in Pyret?
Control flow structures in Pyret include if-then-else statements, case statements, for loops, while loops, and function calls.
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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate have a solid understanding of Pyret's syntax and semantics?
Has the candidate demonstrated problem-solving skills?
Is the candidate familiar with Pyret's standard library and its usage?
Can the candidate effectively communicate their thought process and reasoning?

Next 20 minutes

Specific Pyret. 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 Pyret?
You can handle exceptions in Pyret using the 'try' and 'except' keywords. The 'try' block contains the code that might raise an exception, and the 'except' block contains the code that will be executed if an exception is raised.
What is the purpose of the 'data' keyword in Pyret?
The 'data' keyword in Pyret is used to define a new data type. It's similar to defining a class in other programming languages.
How would you implement recursion in Pyret?
You can implement recursion in Pyret by defining a function that calls itself. You need to make sure to include a base case to prevent infinite recursion.
Describe the difference between '==' and '===' in Pyret.
'==' checks for equality, while '===' checks for identity. That is, '==' will return true if the two operands are equal after type coercion, while '===' will only return true if the two operands are of the same type and value.
What are higher-order functions in Pyret?
Higher-order functions in Pyret are functions that can take other functions as arguments and/or return functions as results.
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The ideal back-end app developer

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

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

What does the following Pyret code do?
fun sum(n): if n == 1: 1 else: n + sum(n - 1) end end
This is a recursive function that calculates the sum of all numbers from 1 to n.
What will be the output of the following Pyret code?
fun print-numbers(n): if n > 0: print-numbers(n - 1) print(n) end end print-numbers(5)
The output will be the numbers 1 to 5 printed in ascending order. This is due to the recursive call being before the print statement, causing the function to 'count up' as it returns.
What does the following Pyret code do?
fun transform-list(lst): map(lam(x): x * 2 end, lst) end
This function takes a list as an argument and returns a new list where each element is double the corresponding element in the original list.
What will be the output of the following Pyret code?
fun concurrent-inc(n): fork({ fun(): n := n + 1 end }) end concurrent-inc(5)
The output is unpredictable because the fork function introduces concurrency. The final value of n depends on the order in which the threads are scheduled.

Wrap-up questions

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

How would you create a module in Pyret?
You can create a module in Pyret by using the 'provide' keyword to specify which functions and variables should be exported from the module.
What is the purpose of the 'check' keyword in Pyret?
The 'check' keyword in Pyret is used to write unit tests. It allows you to specify a condition that should be true, and Pyret will throw an error if it's not.
Describe the difference between mutable and immutable data types in Pyret.
Mutable data types in Pyret can be changed after they are created, while immutable data types cannot. For example, lists are mutable, while numbers and strings are immutable.

Pyret. application related

Product Perfect's Pyret. development capabilities

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