[braythwayt]

Of course you could. Just as you could argue that wasting time asking a bunch of questions about hidden requirements for a simple “fizzbuzz” question is indicative of a candidate that prefers talk to action.

Remember, the stated purpose of the question was to filter non-programmers from programmers. If the real purpose is to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency at eliciting hidden requirements, I suggest that there are much better problems to pose.

For example, a design problem that is closer to the actual company’s domain.

[hyperpape]

> If the real purpose is to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency at eliciting hidden requirements, I suggest that there are much better problems to pose.

Like, say...how to design a monopoly implementation? :) http://weblog.raganwald.com/2006/06/my-favourite-interview-q...