The following features allow you to collaborate with the interviewer using toolsets appropriate to the job for which you are being considered. The interviewer can pull your completed challenge code into the live meeting room to allow you to review and discuss it together.
Code Pad
The Code Pad is a fully collaborative tool that allows you and the other interviewers to watch each other develop code in real-time, run a paired coding exercise, and provide input or suggestions to provided code.
Languages and Versions
The Code Pad provides you with 29 common languages, including a pseudo-text option. Once a language is selected, you’ll see the version in use directly to the right of the language.
Console
Open Console to see inputs and outputs, and add test cases.
Use Case
Paired programming exercise or review of code developed in your previous skills assessment.
Whiteboard
The whiteboard is another fully real-time collaborative tool with standard flowcharting options as well as those specific to business processes and unified modeling, cloud infrastructure, and more.
Flow Chart Options
Access the charting options from the menu in the left panel. You find options for chart components specific to Google Cloud and AWS as well as the options mentioned above.
Use Case
Map out a process or recommended architecture in real-time with the other meeting participants and edit or add to each other’s model.
IDE
The Interactive Development Environment or IDE provides a near real-time Linux- or Mac-based virtual machine and allows a wide degree of flexibility in importing, building and reviewing advanced coding, API, DevOps, and other concepts.
Terminal
A fully functional terminal is provided. Use active ports to test API endpoints and make sure they are working as expected or validate your front-end development test case.
Toolbar Functions
Using the toolbar on the far lefthand side of your screen you have the ability to:
Reload the workspace
Access the file manager to create new files and project folders or drag and drop local files from your desktop into files in the IDE
Initialize a git repository or publish to GitHub
Run and debug
View and add extensions from the marketplace which include different languages, tools, and frameworks
Manage your settings and extensions
Remote Desktop Simulation (RDS)
RDS is a fully real-time environment with a virtual machine that contains a terminal emulator, file manager, web browser, and application manager. An IP address is assigned and active Ports are created. It also provides multiple workspaces.
Filtered users can pre-configure the Remote Desktop (or RDS) to best simulate their tech stack and to better prepare you for the working environment.
The Visual Studio Code example below shows the development environment you would have access to. As with the IDE, you have the ability to load extensions which may include languages, frameworks, etc.
Settings
A few key settings are available to enhance your experience in the RDS view. Expand the control bar at the far left of your screen to access Settings as well as the clipboard and to show extra keys.
Under Settings, you will find a View Only option, which will allow you to open files or make changes without displaying your actions to the other parties in the meeting room.
You will also find options to change the screen scaling.
Under Advanced, you’ll have the ability to review and adjust the Compression level, Reconnect Delay, and Logging.
Use Cases
The possibilities are almost limitless when it comes to this environment. You may be asked to show how you would configure your own workspace, or review a project the company already has in process and contribute your thoughts on the challenges they are facing.