Do Google Internship Interviews Allow Racket and Scheme?

Google internship interviews are designed to evaluate candidates' problem-solving skills, data structures, and algorithms. These assessments are typically language-neutral, allowing candidates to use a variety of programming languages such as Python, Java, and C. However, it's not uncommon for candidates to inquire about the specific programming languages that are acceptable during their interviews. Importantly, you can use languages like Racket or Scheme if you're proficient in them, but it's crucial to check the specific guidelines provided by Google for the specific internship position you're applying for.

Is LISP Family Allowed?

When a Human Resources (HR) representative mentioned some allowed languages, such as Java, JavaScript, and perhaps C, LISP family languages were notably absent. This suggests that the availability of Racket or Scheme may depend on the specific team or role within Google. It's essential to verify this information to ensure you're fully prepared for the interview.

The Flexibility of the Interview Process

As a former interviewer, I typically choose a question that I'm familiar with or willing to implement in multiple languages, tailoring the question to the candidate's preferred language based on their self-assessment. During the interview, I often state, 'Feel free to implement it in whatever language you want, but if I'm not familiar with the language, the quality of your code will be judged by an interpreter or compiler.' This approach allows me to evaluate the interviewee's thought process and problem-solving approach, even if the code is in a language I'm not familiar with.

Language Familiarity and Code Quality

While language familiarity is important for clear communication and understanding, it's not a deciding factor for the interview process. For instance, in one interview, I had candidates implement code in Ruby, a language I had neither written nor read before. In another, we used a language I had only a brief familiarity with, such as Erlang. In most cases, the code was interpretable, and if a 'silly typo' was the issue, we could still identify the edge cases that the candidate implemented. This flexibility means that as long as the candidate's code is understandable and doesn't involve complex or unfamiliar syntax, it's generally acceptable.

Conclusion

When preparing for a Google internship interview, it's crucial to explore the specific programming languages that are allowed for the position you are applying for. While Google generally allows a range of languages, it’s important to check the specific guidelines provided by the hiring team. If you are comfortable with Racket or Scheme, you can use them during the interview, but be prepared to clearly explain your thought process and solution approach to the interviewers. Regardless of the language used, the focus remains on problem-solving skills and overall coding quality.