I would argue that you’re not really supposed to write code on a whiteboard, especially not long enough chunks that you would hate editing. If you must write code on a whiteboard, try keeping it to pseudo-code, the details of which you can gloss over. And then you won’t hate the whiteboard so much.

No white board interview happens in pseudo code.

If they give you a whiteboard instead of a computer, writing correct code with minimal editing is part of the interview process. You should direct your hate to the interviewers, not to the tool.

This is the normal interview, lol who are you kidding.

I think if you're writing code on a whiteboard, you may be doing it wrong.

Tell that to the interviewers.

OK what is it for then?

Some use cases:

- simple sketch of a user interface

- technical diagrams, like for showing how a data structure is implemented, or the (basic!) messages sent between client and server, or the architecture of your network

- working out examples, like drawing the chain of events that leads to something breaking due to a bug, or a simple example illustrating what you're saying

- very short code (3 lines good, 10 lines bad)

A whiteboard can be a tool to help you explain things. It should be used to augment what you're saying in words. It's very hard to put a diagram in someone's head using words, but much easier if you can draw on a whiteboard.

You're right, though, that things on a whiteboard should be kept very simple. Lots of code, or very large diagrams, are liable to turn into a mess.

Lists, graphs, wire frames, UI mockups, brainstorming, IP-addresses, guest WIFI login credentials, sketches of Rick and Morty ...

Basically anything you would use a notebook with pen and paper for in order to extend your working memory, but you want to share with others. Definitely not (non-pseudo) code longer than three or four lines.

Diagramming? To-do lists? Math?

doodling writing funny quotes giant reminders meetings schedules announcements

Replying to OP: because you want to share it with a group of people who are in a room with you.

Why not use a piece of paper?

A whiteboard is much easier to erase and reuse.

Start writing ex commands. That way it’s append only.

I can't tell if this is serious or not...I love it.

i had to laugh at the hilarity of the idea.

i did that with todo lists. i'd rewrite them multiple times to remove done items and add new ones, and reorder them.