Help with python code!

[Jason Friedman]

> Thanks for your replies. Just to be clear this is for a interview and they
> would like me to figure out what the code does and come back with some test
> cases. I don't need to code the tests, just give some high level tests. As
> far as I can make out it is some system where you input your name and it
> will bring back your details plus how much time you have left on your card.
> Have to say I find the code extremely confusing, hopefully all python isn't
> like this!!
>

This question causes me to recall this story.  I was interviewing college
student candidates for a Summer internship. The interview consisted of a
30-minute phone conversation followed by a 60-minute programming exercise
(performed offsite).  One candidate listed only VB and HTML as programming
languages, but the candidate was local and thought I'd give the person a
chance and some interviewing practice.  Only two of nine candidates "aced"
the programming exercise, and this candidate was one of them!  The
candidates could choose whatever programming language they liked, this
candidate chose C#.  I wrote back to acknowledge receiving the answers and
asked why C# was not listed on the resume.  The candidate replied that
three friends helped compose the answer!

I should have asked whether the candidate would, if offered the position,
be able to bring those three friends to work every day.
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