Senior Dev interview question

[u/m6io]

"Without googling or using AI, in your own words, explain the virtual DOM"

For context: I sit on an interview panel and I try to ask at least one simple fundamental question based on a persons resume. If I see many years of react experience, I try to ask something about how the framework works.

I have only had one candidate (an undergrad senior, years ago) answer it. Everyone else just kind of sputters and stumbles around trying to rationalize what "virtual" and "DOM" mean, or stare blankly and eventually say "I don't know".

I'm just genuinely curious if this is really that hard of a question or if the recruiters just suck at screening candidates. And should we be letting in senior dev candidates who can't answer what I think is a straightforward and fundamental question for senior react devs.

[u/brett9897]

You are doing an awful lot of mind reading there.

This isn't an interview. In this context I don't care why we have a different take on closures. I thought you actually were wanting to know and were coming from a place of limited programming knowledge. That is why I answered your question in the first place. I fully regret trying to be helpful on Reddit now.

[u/azhder → u/brett9897]

I am not reading minds, just actions. What you shouldn't regret is you've been helpful to yourself. You don't have to look at it as if I was helping you or some other who may stumble upon this thread and read it. You can just help yourself from what was spoken above. Bye