How to prepare for Machine Coding Rounds? | Tips from Ex-@Google SWE

Summary

In this video, San Singh discusses the importance of machine coding interviews in the software engineering hiring process, particularly for senior roles. He explains that these interviews assess not only problem-solving skills but also code maintenance and writing excellence. San shares insights on how to prepare, emphasizing the need for understanding object-oriented programming, SOLID principles, and design patterns. He also suggests practicing with real interview questions and conducting mock interviews to refine one's skills within the typical 60 to 90-minute time frame.

Takeaways

• 😀 Machine coding interviews are becoming a standard part of the hiring process for software engineering roles at many companies.
• 👨‍💻 Senior engineering roles require not only problem-solving skills but also the ability to write maintainable and reusable code.
• ⏰ Machine coding rounds typically last between 60 to 90 minutes and involve coding a small application without database or network interactions.
• 🧩 The focus in these rounds is on the business logic and service layer of the application, emphasizing clean and maintainable code.
• 📝 Companies evaluate candidates based on their ability to segregate and reuse code, indicating a strong grasp of object-oriented programming and design principles.
• 🔍 Corner cases and edge scenarios should be considered when coding to demonstrate thorough problem-solving capabilities.
• 📚 To prepare, candidates should study object-oriented programming, SOLID principles, and low-level design patterns.
• 💻 Practice coding applications within the time constraints of a machine coding round to simulate the interview environment.
• 💡 Understanding why design patterns are necessary is more important than memorizing them, as they stem from the application of SOLID principles.
• 🗣️ Post-coding, there may be a discussion round where candidates are expected to explain their design choices and logic.
• 🔑 A working application that correctly implements the business logic is crucial for a successful machine coding round.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of a machine coding interview in the context of software engineering hiring?

The primary focus of a machine coding interview is to assess a candidate's problem-solving capabilities and their ability to write clean, maintainable, and reusable code. It evaluates both their technical skills and their ability to think through corner cases and implement business logic effectively.

Why are machine coding interviews becoming more prevalent in software engineering hiring?

Machine coding interviews are becoming more prevalent because they allow companies to evaluate candidates on their practical coding skills and their ability to maintain and write excellent code, which is crucial for senior engineering roles.

What is the typical duration of a machine coding round during an interview process?

A machine coding round typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the company and the profile for which the candidate is interviewing.

Can you describe an example of a small application that might be coded during a machine coding interview?

An example of a small application that might be coded during a machine coding interview could be a simple rating system, a hospital appointment management system, or a learning management system. The focus is on the business logic rather than UI, database interaction, or network interaction.

What are the key aspects companies look for when judging a candidate's performance in a machine coding round?

Companies look for the candidate's ability to segregate and reuse code properly, their understanding of object-oriented programming and SOLID principles, and their problem-solving skills. They also assess whether the final application is in a runnable state and follows all corner cases.

How can candidates prepare for a machine coding interview?

Candidates can prepare by reading lead code articles from different companies, practicing coding within the allotted time frame, and learning object-oriented programming concepts and SOLID principles. They should also familiarize themselves with design patterns and practice structuring applications accordingly.

What are some common design patterns that might be relevant for a machine coding round?

Some common design patterns that might be relevant include the Strategy pattern, Builder pattern, and State pattern. Understanding why and when to apply these patterns is more important than memorizing them.

How does the language choice affect a machine coding round?

In most cases, there is no language constraint for a machine coding round, allowing candidates to choose any language they are comfortable with. However, for frontend roles, the expectation might be set on JavaScript or TypeScript.

What kind of questions might be asked during the discussion round after a machine coding interview?

During the discussion round, interviewers might ask about the candidate's design choices, such as why they structured the application in a certain way, why they chose specific properties, or why they used composition over inheritance.

What is the significance of ensuring the application is in a runnable state during a machine coding round?

Ensuring the application is in a runnable state is significant because it demonstrates that the candidate's code not only follows best practices but also functions correctly and can be interacted with, typically through a console, to verify that it handles all corner cases as expected.