What is a live coding interview?

@viviane A live coding interview is a process where an interviewer asks the candidate to code out an algorithm or write some code on the spot. They’re often long and tedious, with questions drawn randomly from a deck of cards that contain common programming tasks like reversing strings or searching lists. They can be a one-on-one, group, or even interview style. Some companies even use a combination of multiple formats. Here is all Live Coding Interview is about.

What Makes it Live?

The most common type of live coding involves two people, the interviewer, and the candidate. The interviewer writes some code, usually on a whiteboard or projector. They then ask the interviewee to extend that code with some additional functionality or modify it in a certain way.

The Repetition

Because live coding interviews are repetitive, you’ll often have the same questions asked each time you go to a different company. This helps companies normalize hiring and get consistent feedback for their interviewers. However, it also means that what you do in one interview will impact other interviews for months.

Presentation and Code

A candidate’s code is not directly shared with the interviewer. Instead, they are expected to write it out in a “language of their choice” (usually Pseudo-code). This is done to ensure that even though the interviewee is self-taught, they understand how code works and can explain why a certain algorithm or data structure would or would not work.

A lot of technical interview questions are open-ended or have ambiguous answers or questions. Therefore, candidates must be prepared for these situations by practicing and developing their problem-solving skills.

@viviane 

In a live coding interview, the interviewer may also ask the candidate to explain their thought process or reasoning behind certain decisions made during the coding process. This helps the interviewer assess the candidate's problem-solving skills, ability to think algorithmically, and their understanding of programming concepts.

Live coding interviews can be stressful for candidates as they require thinking on the spot and performing under pressure. However, they provide an opportunity for candidates to showcase their coding skills and problem-solving abilities in a real-time setting.

It is important for candidates to practice live coding interviews by solving coding problems regularly, understanding different data structures and algorithms, and being familiar with common programming tasks. Additionally, candidates should be prepared to communicate and explain their thought process clearly and confidently during the interview.

Overall, a live coding interview is a dynamic and interactive process where candidates are evaluated on their coding skills and problem-solving abilities in a real-time, simulated coding environment.