[babyrainbow]

I think maybe another way to look at it is that it mostly tests one's ability to handle stuff they don't necessary like. For ex, you are preparing for an interview. Suck it up and learn some standard algorithms and practice coding under a little pressure. That is the homework that you are supposed to do.

If you haven't done that, it is a good indication of how you will handing boring but necessary and important stuff at work. In all fairness, I think you can't fault people wanting to judge you based on that..

[prajjwal]

I wouldn't mind doing homework that is related to what they need me to do on the job. Make me code. On a real computer. With a compiler. With an internet connection. On real problems, even if they're conventionally hard to solve. I wouldn't mind rejection if I can't produce something satisfactory in a real life setting. Sometimes, they ask things that are too far removed from what they need from you, and I just don't get it.

It's not about learning algorithms. If you do the Stanford MOOC on algorithms on Coursera, which is one of the best MOOCs I've ever come across, you'll find that the instructor emphasizes understanding over rote learning and implementation details. If you understand what data structures and algorithms fit where, you can look them up and apply them as and when you need to. Memorizing every nook and cranny of CLRS so you can reproduce it quickly in an interview is a terrible waste of time, imho.

[hueving]

That explanation is ridiculous. If that were the reason they would just have you dig 6 foot ditch. Implementing RB trees is not "boring and important work" either, if you're implementing them in your day job (for 99.99% of programmers), you are grossly incompetent because you don't understand how to use libraries.

[rhcom2]

But why would the homework for a React job include RB trees? It seems some interviews add unrelated technical questions.

[bennyg]

Not that I agree with it, but they're testing general CS knowledge at that point. What if they decided to switch from React to something else entirely? Have you made your future employer confident enough that you're competent enough to handle that and more?

[hueving]

Because switching from react to angular requires knowledge of RB trees. /s

[noxToken]

I get what you're saying, but sometimes interview questions are too far removed from the position.