[whycombagator]

Thanks for replying. This is helpful stuff.

Did you pass either of those 2 Google interviews? And/or get offers from other similar companies?

> I only had one interview which had a different data structure (rope data structure) and the only reason he asked me the question was because I had never used it before. It was an intro question and if I said I knew it he wouldn't have given it to me. So I think if they give you another data structure, they are gonna assume you don't know it and will give you an intro question.

Can you explain that a little more?

Specifically: “they are gonna assume you don't know it and will give you an intro question.”

[sdnlafkjh34rw]

I failed the first time and passed the 2nd. I'm interviewing now so waiting to see if I get other offers.

To explain, one of the interviewers walked in and asked "have you heard of the rope data structure?"

I said "no" because I hadn't and he was like "great because otherwise I would give you another question". He then asked me to build 2 key functions for the data structure. I didn't need to study it beforehand, and if I did he would have gave me another question.

I think if they give you an uncommon data structure the expectation is that you have prior knowledge of it. This question was the favorite part of my interview loop (we chatted a bit about how google uses rope data structures)

[whycombagator]

Thanks for elaborating!

Was this part of the interview challenging? Seems to me like a surprise data structure coming up in an interview could be a bad thing (in terms of doing well).

Edit: What have your other interview experiences been like? Similar to Google, or would different/more preparation be required?

Also, what level are you at/interviewing for at these companies?