1 min lesson
Score yourself across four dimensions
Compare two rows from "Score yourself across four dimensions", then say when each one fits.
Step 1 of 2
Score yourself across four dimensions
- Dimension
- Correctness
- Pass looks like
- Handles the offset/overlap case, not just the happy path
- Red flag
- Works on the example, breaks on adjacent or overlapping edits
- Dimension
- Clarity
- Pass looks like
- Small named functions, obvious data flow, no clever one-liners
- Red flag
- One dense block you'd struggle to explain mid-interview
- Dimension
- Edge cases
- Pass looks like
- Empty input, single edit, end-of-buffer, overlap all considered
- Red flag
- Only the demo input ever runs
- Dimension
- Communication
- Pass looks like
- Narrated approach, complexity and tradeoffs out loud
- Red flag
- Silent heads-down typing until it compiles
| Dimension | Pass looks like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Correctness | Handles the offset/overlap case, not just the happy path | Works on the example, breaks on adjacent or overlapping edits |
| Clarity | Small named functions, obvious data flow, no clever one-liners | One dense block you'd struggle to explain mid-interview |
| Edge cases | Empty input, single edit, end-of-buffer, overlap all considered | Only the demo input ever runs |
| Communication | Narrated approach, complexity and tradeoffs out loud | Silent heads-down typing until it compiles |
Record the run and grade your correctness, clarity, edge cases and communication.
Interview move
If AI is allowed, make the review visible: “This merges overlapping edits silently, which can lose data, so I'm making it throw.” If it is restricted, rehearse the same reasoning while implementing directly. The rule changes; ownership does not.
Verify before you call it done
Test two adjacent edits, two overlapping edits and an edit at the end of the buffer. These cases turn a plausible implementation into evidence you can explain.