Java Schools

Joel has a great blog post about "Java Schools", it's a good read and I agree with every bit of it. The test we give programmers on their first interview has questions regarding both pointers and recursion. They are two of my favorite questions, most people think they are too easy, but the fact is if you solve the recursion problem using a "while loop" it tells me a lot. If you solve it using binary operations, you're hired. ;)

I don't use a test as the determining factor for any hire, but I like to see how people go about solving problems. Some struggle, some work fast, some love it, some hate it, some even give up and leave without even trying. If you can't handle 6 simple problem solving questions though, chances are you can't handle developing software applications that are critical to the success of tens of thousands of businesses.