The worst code you've seen recently
A while ago I wrote about interview questions for software developers. Jeff Atwood suggests another one:
I hate software -- most of all and especially my own -- because I know how hard it is to get it right. It may sound strange, but it's a natural and healthy attitude for a software developer. It's a bond, a rite of passage that you'll find all competent programmers share.
In fact, I think you can tell a competent software developer from an incompetent one with a single interview question:
What's the worst code you've seen recently?
If their answer isn't immediately and without any hesitation these two words:
My own.
Then you should end the interview immediately. Sorry, pal. You don't hate software enough yet. Maybe in a few more years. If you keep at it.
Jokes aside, he's got a good point. Software's hard, and a little humility goes a long way.