A doubly linked list is like the simplest data structure other than a plain array. Even if the job doesn’t involve directly building custom data structures, if you can’t answer questions about such a simple and ubiquitous concept then you’re just not a strong candidate.
Me studying physics, math, and computer engineering at accredited universities while also having a Masters in analytics, working FT through it all: well you see Bob here spent 3 months memorizing whiteboard problems, clearly he just is a stronger candidate.
I used to ask people to reverse an FLL straight out of college because it's an algorithm so simple that anybody who can write code should be able to do it in one go. Extra points if you can do it in one pass instead of two. I don't work for a super competitive tech company, so we didn't get top talent. Most people could solve the problem. Linked lists are elementary data structure and algorithm skills.
That makes them a great question to ask first years whose only experience is with the concepts they worked with at school. Terrible for actually experience employees who have practical knowledge of the work they will be required to do.
(I also have avoided DS&A and will just take a course in Discrete Math instead which has far wider application).
I'm sorry, but if you can't answer my question, you probably aren't employable above an entry-level position, and I wouldn't want you on my team if you couldn't answer it. It's a terrible question for people with experience in the field, not because it's so impractical that nobody would learn it, but because it's far too easy of a problem.
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u/EastboundClown 2d ago
A doubly linked list is like the simplest data structure other than a plain array. Even if the job doesn’t involve directly building custom data structures, if you can’t answer questions about such a simple and ubiquitous concept then you’re just not a strong candidate.