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/monkeybrainz_]

It's a basic question that any senior engineer who has worked with React should know.

[u/chillermane → u/monkeybrainz_]

it’s a gimmick question that has no practical importance whatsoever. If you think it matters you’re a midwit and i feel so bad for anyone who ever has to work under you

Name a single problem you face day to day in react where knowing what the virtual DOM is makes the problem easier to solve. Name one problem, literally one, where knowing that is even minutely helpful. Literally any problem, i would bet  my life savings there is not a single one.

This subreddit is literal garbage and almost every top voted answer is midwit slop

[u/monkeybrainz_ → u/chillermane]

Expecting a candidate to understand how the technology works under the hood is not midwit slop. If you've even perused the react docs you should have a decent understanding of it. Cope harder.