Re: Had an interview

In article <7tpm14h3ih2s46mnmul6qjpn8ck32e64ve@xxxxxxx>, Spehro Pefhany
says...
On Fri, 02 May 2008 11:23:13 -0700, Andrey Tarasevich
<andreytarasevich@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

andrew.nesterov@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
...
Once I've read a following joke in a programming errs and traps book:

Implement a block that inputs either 1 or 2 and outputs the opposite:
1 -> 2, 2 -> 1
The author continue with three hypotetical solutions:
1. A programming class instructor:
if ( x == 1) x = 2;
if ( x == 2) x = 1;

I don't know why you call it "solution", since it's obviously incorrect.

2. A programmer:
if ( x == 1) x = 2;
else if ( x == 2) x = 1;

That would be a beginner/inexperienced programmer.

A "programmer" would most likely opt for the '?:' operator in this case.

3. A mathematitian:
x = 3 - x;

In reality that would the solution for a _good_ programmer.

x^=3; // explain wtf this is doing right here

Changing a 2 to a 1 and a 1 to a two obviously ;) I have noted though
that besides trying for the most obscure code to prove their worthiness
to program no-one has actually verfied the inputs are in range.

Robert
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
.

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