Conducting a 15-Minute Coding Challenge- An Interview Insight for Aspiring Software Developers

Example Software Developer Coding Question: 15-Minute Interview

In today’s fast-paced tech industry, the ability to code effectively is a crucial skill for software developers. One common method used by companies to assess a candidate’s coding skills is through a 15-minute coding interview. This short yet intense session allows interviewers to gauge a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, coding proficiency, and understanding of basic algorithms. In this article, we will explore an example software developer coding question that is often used in such interviews and discuss how candidates can approach it.

Understanding the Question

The example coding question we will focus on is as follows:

“Write a function that takes an array of integers and returns a new array containing only the even numbers from the original array. The function should be efficient and have a time complexity of O(n).”

This question tests the candidate’s ability to write a function that filters even numbers from an array. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining an efficient algorithm with a linear time complexity.

Approaching the Problem

To tackle this question, candidates should start by understanding the requirements and constraints. Here are some steps they can follow:

1. Analyze the input: The input is an array of integers, and the output should be a new array containing only the even numbers.
2. Plan the algorithm: Since the time complexity should be O(n), the algorithm should iterate through the array only once.
3. Write the code: Begin by initializing an empty array to store the even numbers. Then, iterate through the input array, checking if each element is even. If it is, add it to the new array.
4. Test the code: After writing the function, test it with various input arrays to ensure it works correctly and meets the requirements.

Example Solution

Here’s a possible solution in Python:

“`python
def filter_even_numbers(arr):
even_numbers = []
for num in arr:
if num % 2 == 0:
even_numbers.append(num)
return even_numbers

Test the function
print(filter_even_numbers([1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6])) Output: [2, 4, 6]
“`

This solution iterates through the input array once, checking if each number is even and adding it to the `even_numbers` array. The time complexity of this function is O(n), as required.

Conclusion

The 15-minute coding interview is a challenging yet effective way to assess a candidate’s coding skills. By understanding the question, approaching the problem systematically, and writing a clear and efficient solution, candidates can demonstrate their abilities to potential employers. The example software developer coding question provided in this article serves as a good starting point for candidates to practice and refine their coding skills.