Basic python understanding

[Rick Johnson]

On Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 3:45:35 PM UTC-5, MRAB wrote:
> On 2017-07-26 20:04, Stefan Ram wrote:
> > monica.snow1 at gmail.com writes:
> > > Hi  I am in need some understanding on how to become more
> > > knowledgeable while interviewing a candidate that
> > > requires Python
> > 
> > The only noun preceding "that" is "candidate". So, are you
> > using "that" to refer to the candidate?
> > 
> The word "that" is being used here as a relative pronoun.
> It's not wrong, although when referring to people it would
> be more common to use the word "who".  (It's not strictly
> true that it's the _candidate_ who requires Python; it's
> the _company_ that has the requirement for the candidate to
> know Python.)

I don't think it is appropriate for us to criticize
someone's sentence structure who is: (1) not a prolific
contributor here, (2) not a spammer or troll, or (3) is
politely asking for help. Any one of these excuses are
acceptable _if_ the OP does not make a habit of composing
these clumsy inquiries.

Obviously, the sentence could have been structured more
wisely, but perhaps the OP was in a hurry; or nervous; or
perhaps her first language is not English. Of course, there
is another scenario which can cause an otherwise competent
communicator to sound as though they have a weak grasp of
the english language, and that scenario is when too much
mental effort is focused on the mechanical process of
typing a message. For instance:

    "I try to ask good question, but i spend so much time
    thinking about fingers, that forsake sentence structure, i
    do"

So if we are to criticize, we should at least offer
benevolent solutions. Eh?
    
    "I am in need some understanding on how to become more
    knowledgeable while interviewing a candidate that requires
    Python"
    
Yes. There are some flaws here. One of the most glaring is
the impracticality of an interviewer "becoming more
knowledgable while interviewing"[1]. The other, as Stefan
pointed out, is the use of "that" as a pronoun. And while i
dare not hazard a guess as to the impetus of the
"impracticality element", i believe the word "that" was not
meant as a pronoun (aka: the interviewee), but was a
reference to the "interview process" itself.

In any event, if Monica would be so kind as to allow me to
paraphrase her intent[2], i would like to offer this slightly
improved version, of which, i am rather fond.

    Hi everyone. 
    
    I'm currently employed in the HR department of my firm, and,
    when i'm not making coffee for the execs, one of my job
    duties require that i screen applicants. Specifically, I
    have been asked to weed-out unqualified applicants before
    they move onto the "official interview" with my superiors,
    who, unsurprisingly enough, have absolutely no patience for
    unqualified bozos.

    But i digress...
    
    Only problem is, my knowledge in the specific prerequisites
    of: Python, Node, Java, Javascript, Ruby, MVC (Model-view-
    controller) Frameworks, -- ಠ_ಠ -- Object Modeling, Database
    Systems, Java-Swing and/or GWT -- *DEEP BREATH* -- is
    severly lacking.
    
    So my question is: Are there any resources that you can
    recommend for which i can become qualified enough to accept
    or deny these prospects?

Well, Monica, the answer to your question *IS* a question: 

    How "qualified" do you want to be?

If you think you can watch one or two five minute YouTube
vids and adsorb enough knowledge to become qualified to make
these difficult technical judgments, then, i would say you,
and more disturbingly your superiors, grossly underestimate
the depth of knowledge required here. If i were to hazard
guess, i would say that by entrusting a non-technical
person to screen the applications of highly technical
persons, your superiors either (1) really don't want to hire
anyone, or (2) want to pressure you into quitting.

PS: I do apologize if my frank style of speaking is
offensive to you. Please understand that i mean no offense.
And although i doubt that a neophyte can master these
subjects in a timely manner, i am in no way suggesting that
you could not master them if you truly wanted to. 


[1] Which is like OJT on steroids!
    
[2] And don't you worry Monica[3], i'm a _professional_ impersonator. O;-)
    
[3] You gorgeous devil, you.