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Re:Dynamic Programming for Technical Interviews by pmiller2 on Friday March 15, 2019 @02:51AM (#19397199)
If the ability to learn completely arbitrary things is what they want to test, why not have them write an essay on the spot in Sanskrit?
Re:Dynamic Programming for Technical Interviews by smallnamespace on Friday March 15, 2019 @03:03AM (#19397261)
Dynamic programming is far from completely arbitrary. But even if it were completely arbitrary, it would still serve a useful signaling function as long as people agreed on which hoops they're supposed to jump through.

A peacock's plumage serve little useful purpose except to show how fit he is; but that purpose is essential to the survival of the species.

Re:Dynamic Programming for Technical Interviews by jonfw on Friday March 15, 2019 @09:41AM (#19399579)
It's not arbitrary, and it's not on the spot.

Dynamic programming asks them to either study or have abstract math skills. Both are good signs of competence.