On: What is Software Engineering?

> If he responds that he can't think of anything negative, it means he can't do engineering with Go.

I have used this tactic for interviews for quite a while. Though working primarily with Java and the JVM, every good programmer already has a long list of complaints. Regardless of preferred languages, frameworks, etc, everyone should know when their tools are not sufficient. I never care what the answer is other than they are able to articulate an answer.

My ability to talk at length about what's wrong with a language corresponds directly with how well I know and love the language.

Yes - or how well I know and hate the language.

Only C++.

I simply don't know enough to make an intelligent argument about why, say, PHP is a bad idea. But I have used it, and I don't want to do it again.