Re: Need Some RPG Technical Questions

[Tommy.Holden@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

"One other useful technique is to actually watch the candidate work. 
Does he scrawl out a flowchart first?  (Do you want a programmer who 
codes from his head, or gels ideas a bit first?)  Does he ask for WDSC, 
does he refuse WDSC (are you looking for new ideas, reinforcement of 
existing ideas?)  Does he write out comments first and then fill in the 
code?  Use subprocedures / subroutines naturally?  What habits would you 
like in your staff?  See if the candidate is like the ideal you desire"

geez i wonder how I'd shape up??
subfiles...page at a time
code from the head..
WDSC (and SEU depending on situation, etc)
comment AFTER coding
all subprocs except for one subroutine that handles program termination 
stuff


Thanks,
Tommy Holden



From:
Buck <kc2hiz@xxxxxxxxx>
To:
rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Date:
03/11/2008 01:32 PM
Subject:
Re: Need Some RPG Technical Questions



Shannon ODonnell wrote:
> Have the candidate write a short program that uses embedded SQL to pull 
some
> records from a file of your choice and display them in a subfile of your 
own
> design-specs.

Absolutely agree.  The other side of this is to NOT critique the thing 
when it's done.  Have the candidate explain the rationale for various 
decisions made (why use a load-all vs page at a time).  If you see 
something that looks different, think of it as something the interviewer 
can learn and find out why the candidate did it that way.

One other useful technique is to actually watch the candidate work. 
Does he scrawl out a flowchart first?  (Do you want a programmer who 
codes from his head, or gels ideas a bit first?)  Does he ask for WDSC, 
does he refuse WDSC (are you looking for new ideas, reinforcement of 
existing ideas?)  Does he write out comments first and then fill in the 
code?  Use subprocedures / subroutines naturally?  What habits would you 
like in your staff?  See if the candidate is like the ideal you desire.

This can be intimidating to a candidate.  Explain that you'd really like 
to see the candidate shine, and that this isn't a way to nitpick the 
candidate out the door, but to enjoy watching someone new at work.
   --buck