IT Job Interview » Programmer

The Most Wanted Programming Skills for Today’s IT Business Solutions

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:45:03 +0000

Programming is the essential skill for every IT professional. Programming skills are categorized by the computer languages. Therefore, the value of programming skills depends on the use and popularity of programming languages.

The most wanted programming skills come with the languages that are widely used in today’s business solution developments. These language-based skills are Java/J2EE skill, SQL skill, C/C++ skill, Visual Basic (VB) skill, JSP skill, ASP skill, XML skill, C# skill, Perl skill, and PHP skill.

1. Java/J2EE

Programming with Java on J2EE platform is one of the hottest skills in today’s IT arena. More and more business solutions are built on web-based systems powered by Java/J2EE. Successful Java programmers not only know how to code Java language, but also master J2EE architecture and APIs.

2. SQL

No business solution could work without database. SQL is the language to use in almost all databases. SQL programming skill is a must for all IT professionals, especially database programmers and solution developers. In addition to basic SQL programming skill, you should also master vendor-based SQL extensions – SQL in Oracle, IBM DB2, and Microsoft SQLServer.

3. C/C++

C and C++ are the most powerful languages for developing sophisticated information systems. C/C++ programming is the premium skill with high and long lasting value because C++ is completed and hard to learn. Although Java has become more favorable, C/C++ programming skill is still in high demand for both existing system maintenance and new development.

4. Visual Basic

Business application development with Microsoft Visual Basic is fast and easy, that makes Visual Basic popular and VB skill hot. The new version, Visual Basic .NET, is fully object-oriented and shares the same development environment with other tools in the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET suite. As Microsoft .NET platform moves forward, Visual Basic .NET programming skill will be increasingly needed.

5. JSP

Java Server Page (JAP) is used for data presentation in all J2EE based application servers – IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic, Oracle AS, Sybase EAServer, Apache Tomcat, and more. JSP programming skill is required for all IT professionals who build J2EE based business solutions.

6. ASP

Active Server Page (ASP) is language to develop web applications in Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS). ASP is used for data presentation and business logic processing. The new version, ASP .NET, is part of the Microsoft .NET framework powered by Visual Studio .NET.

7. XML

XML is a markup language for documents containing structured information. Because XML is the foundation of web services, XML skill becomes hot when web services implementation comes to the stage.

8. C#

C# is Microsoft’s primary language for .NET framework. New development tool for C#, Visual C# .NET is included in Visual Studio .NET suite. C# has several advantages over C++ and Java. C# programming skill is becoming hot as businesses start to implement .NET based solutions.

9. Perl

Perl (Practical Extraction and Report Language) programming skill is in demand mainly in two areas: (1) UNIX operating system administration, and (2) web server CGI. Although CGI may be replaced by JSP and ASP in enterprise web solutions, Perl CGI programming skill is still wanted for mid-market web servers and portal sites. The need for Perl programming in UNIX will stay high.

10. PHP

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a sever side scripting language for web development. PHP programming skill is needed to build dynamic websites, web portals, and database-driven web applications. The skill of PHP with MySQL database is very valuable.

Interview Questions for Programmer Analyst

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 21:07:23 +0000

A state agency interviewed Staff Programmer Analyst candidates with the following questions. Staff programmer analyst is the middle level position for programming / developer job classification. Usually each classification has 3 levels, – associate, staff, and senior. The following questions were asked during interview:

1. Please tell us how your education and experience are prepared for this position?

2. What methodologies have you used for software development lifecycle?

3. Please describe the most challenging project you have worked.

4. What is your experience as a team leader?

5. How do you advance your knowledge in information technologies?

As always, after these five core questions have gone through, the interviewer asked, “Do you have questions for us?”. Then at last, “Do you have last comment?”.

Since there is no detailed technical information asked, these questions should not be too hard to answer. Can you answer them?

Web Developer Job Description

admin — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 06:59:01 +0000

The web developer position is expected to thoroughly understand the preparation and use of electronic materials, including color palettes, various graphic formats, security technology, and the programs used in their preparation. The objective is keeping the web site current, processing updates quickly, efficiently, and confidentially on a daily basis, and to serve the company’s client well.

Duties:

Develops and maintains web site architecture and infrastructure using state of the art technology.

Designs and develops complete web sites including user interface, scripting, middle-tier components, database design.

Writes and deploys components to Application Server possiblely in a clustered environment.

Updates web site, customizing the content to specifications while adhering to the defined web design.

Maintains current knowledge of Internet technologies and trends. Researches, evaluates, and demonstrates various web sites and new technology on a continuing basis.

Analyzes and tunes the web site performance. Recommends any beneficial or necessary changes to the web site.

Answers or forwards to management any web site-related e-mail questions from users.

Communicates with other personnel regarding technical requirements of web site and upcoming projects or events related to web site.

Keeps all content strictly confidential, setting unique permissions on sub-webs, hard coding text hyperlinks to drive users to SSL encryption, enforcing functioning java security measures, and immediately troubleshooting problems in issues of web site security compromise.

Provides technical support and participates in employee web site training.

Refreshes web site content to ensure accuracy and timeliness of information and images.

Collaborates with external vendors on special web site events, promotions marketing campaigns, or specific design projects.

Correspondence with and assistance to Companies clients. This includes quickly responding to the website e-mail, troubleshooting problems, changing passwords on request, helping the client work with and understand web products, and fix any errors immediately.

Requirements:

This position plans, develops, implements, maintains, and creates a well-structured web site using HTML, PHP, CSS, and Java or Microsoft based technologies and RDBMS database.

· Must have experience using and administering J2EE Application Server as well as writing and deploying components to the server.

· Must be knowledgeable in Web Server technologies, and have be proficient in web site management using IIS Web server. Experience in alternate HTTP servers is a plus.

· Must be proficient in advanced web site and web service development using (JSP, JavaScript, CSS, SSL, XML, XSLT, Java, Perl, CGI, DHTML). Flash and Shockwave experience is considered favorably.

· Experience creating dynamic web pages using relational database backend, with experience in writing stored procedures for MS SQL Server.

· Must maintain knowledge of the “state-of-the-art” in the rapidly changing web technologies.

· Must posses a working understanding of all facets of web development, strategies, design and implementation.

· Must be proficient in HTML using fundamental page layout techniques using frames, tables, Cascade Style Sheets, and other non-graphical design solutions.

· Must have the ability to maintain HTML pages using simple text based editors like notepad.

· Must understand Internet content fundamentals of, basic graphic design, image compression, cross browser compatibility, and bandwidth issues.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal are a must

· Ability to work within a team.

DEGREE LEVEL ATTAINED
BS Degree Computer Science or related fields.

EXPERIENCE
3-5 Yrs Exp prefered

Skills:

ANALYZE
APPLICATION SERVERS
BROWSER
CASCADING STYLE SHEETS
CASE TECHNOLOGIES
CGI
CODING
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
CONTINUING CARE
DHTML
FLASH WEB DEVELOPMENT
GRAPHIC DESIGN
GRAPHICAL DESIGN
HTML
HTTP
IIS
IMPLEMENTATION
INTERNET
INTERPERSONAL
JAGUAR
JAVA/J2EE
JAVASCRIPT
JSP
KNOWLEDGE OF STYLE
MANAGEMENT TRAINING
MS SQL SERVER
PERL
PORTAL
RELATIONAL DATABASE
RESEARCH
SERVERS
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
TROUBLESHOOTING SKILLS
USER INTERFACE
WEB DESIGN
WEB PAGES
WEB SERVER
WRITTEN AND ORAL
XML
XSL

Interview Questions for Associate Programmer Analyst

admin — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 23:06:15 +0000

The following questions were asked in an interview for Associate Programmer Analyst position in a California state agency:

1. Use the last project as an example, describe how you perform software development work?

2. What kind of testing tools have you used?

3. Tell us how you have worked in projects with a team.

4. If you went to vacation, and one of co-workers covered your job, what do you do when you come back?

5. If your project is already behind schedule but you get a lot of interruptions on work, and have to spend a lot time on customer support when clients call in for problems, how do you handle this situation?

6. When you and your co-worker have conflicts and disagreements, what should you do?

7. If you think you could not finish a task by deadline, what should you do?

8. How do you deal with errors in programming?

9. What’s your experience on version control tools?

10. Do you have experience for dealing with customers, such as when customers have problems and call in for support?

12. Have you worked in a production environment?

13. When an issue occurred in a software system in production environment, what could be the problem?

14. Do you have PL/SQL experience?

15. Rank your skills from 1 to 10 for Java, JSP, VB, PowerBuilder, and Oracle.

Please provide your experience in software programming and database development using 4GL, SQL, scripting, or general languages?

admin — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 00:11:36 +0000

It’s a question of broad scope, and a good one for you to talk a lot of your programming experience. Be noted that the question mentions database development, therefore you should explain your programming experience related to database development activities. Here’s a good answer:

“I have over 7 years of database application development experience using various computer languages. My 4GL skills include Visual Basic and Powerbuilder. I’ve coded many stored procedures, triggers, and packages using SQL, Oracle PL/SQL, and T-SQL with Sybase and SQL Server. I worked on data migration projects and programmed scripting languages such as Perl and PHP to convert data from one database to another. I also used C++ and Java to develop client/server and web-based applications.”

The Most Wanted Programming Experience for Today’s IT Business Solutions

admin — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 05:26:42 +0000

Programming is the essential skill for every IT professional. Programming skills and experience are categorized by the computer languages. Therefore, the value of programming skills depends on the use and popularity of programming languages.

The most wanted programming skills and experience come with the languages that are widely used in today’s business solution developments. These language-based skills are Java/J2EE skill, SQL skill, C/C++ skill, Visual Basic (VB) skill, JSP skill, ASP skill, XML skill, C# skill, Perl skill, and PHP skill.