> an interviewer can't confirm basic knowledge of data structures and algorithms
agreed. However, as I read the parent's post, they did not immediately see that DFS was an acronym for a basic algorithm. Given their implied background in computer security, a field littered with thousands of abbreviations (very few of which are basic algorithms) it is understandable that they needed a minute to see what DFS meant.
I could alternately ask a number of python developers if they were familiar with Javascript object notation, and cause a panic because they aren't familiar with javascript. Interviews are stressful. If your field always call it 'json' or 'a dict', you might not immediately make the connection.
agreed. However, as I read the parent's post, they did not immediately see that DFS was an acronym for a basic algorithm. Given their implied background in computer security, a field littered with thousands of abbreviations (very few of which are basic algorithms) it is understandable that they needed a minute to see what DFS meant.
I could alternately ask a number of python developers if they were familiar with Javascript object notation, and cause a panic because they aren't familiar with javascript. Interviews are stressful. If your field always call it 'json' or 'a dict', you might not immediately make the connection.