Actual coding vs whiteboarding

New / Eng
Ama B.O

New Eng

PRE
Amazon, Google, Facebook
Ama B.O
Jun 1, 2019 17 Comments

When having your coding interview do companies actually ask you to get on the computer and code and run your also etc or is it all pseudocode white boarding?

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TOP 17 Comments
  • New / Eng
    Ama B.O

    New Eng

    PRE
    Amazon, Google, Facebook
    Ama B.O
    OP
    There are fundamental differences between whiteboard and coding in laptop cuz I presume that coding in laptop will mean that the candidate should actually run the code also.

    So you could write an algorithm on whiteboard that is close enough to be something that "should"work but if you write the same thing as an actual code in laptop then it may not necessarily run or may be buggy..in which case then the candidate should spend time fixing the bugs and figure out what the problems are.

    So does it also sound to you that it would be more advantageous for the candidate to always pick the whiteboard because he/she will not be expected to run the code...?
    Jun 1, 2019 6
    • Microsoft / Eng
      ven0m

      Go to company page Microsoft Eng

      ven0m
      Typically, I was expected to compile and run during the phone screens - for simple output problems (like print spirally or sqrt of a number). None of the onsites excepted me to compile code. But they do expect neat maintainable error-free code.
      Jun 1, 2019
    • Amazon
      Jd8xye

      Go to company page Amazon

      Jd8xye
      For your first round, you can potentially replace a phone screen with an online assessment. Although you can start whenever you feel like but it is a timed test.
      The onsite interviews require you to complete your solution within the allotted one hour of the interview (whiteboard or laptop).
      Jun 1, 2019
  • New
    \πŸƒ

    New

    PRE
    Bank of America
    \πŸƒ
    Whiteboard is an IDE. Just that the makers have a minimalist approach.
    Jun 1, 2019 0
  • Google / R&D
    ubjvhhfvh

    Go to company page Google R&D

    ubjvhhfvh
    At Google you have the option of whiteboard or laptop, and can code in the language of your choice. Pseudocode is allowed but discouraged.
    Jun 1, 2019 2
  • Gap / Eng
    randUser

    Go to company page Gap Eng

    randUser
    GOOG, MSFT, and AMZN all made me whiteboard
    Jun 1, 2019 0
  • Amazon / PR
    jefe_bezos

    Go to company page Amazon PR

    jefe_bezos
    Depends. Often times I’m given the choice.
    Jun 1, 2019 0