Answering Coding Questions

Overview 

Coding Questions are the most popular type of questions in HackerRank Tests. The hiring company's test setter designs your Tests to include relevant coding questions based on the skills and programming knowledge required for a particular job role.

The HackerRank Test platform supports assessments in multiple programming languages with an intuitive and in-built code editor to help you solve coding challenges.

Coding Questions may require you to complete the logic of a given function and the remaining portions of a program may be non-editable. Alternatively, some questions may require you to write a complete program as the answer.

Steps to Answer Coding Questions 

Here is a quick video to get you started with the Answering Coding Questions workflow.

Or, if you prefer to follow directions, here are the steps for your ready reference.

Steps 

Following are some recommendations for the effective use of your Test time while answering coding Questions in HackerRank Tests:

1. Read and understand the problem statement and the various constraints described in the problem. This helps to avoid any rework and saves time in Tests.
2. Take a quick tour to familiarize yourself with the code editor and know how to run and submit code. Click on the question mark icon and select Show Tour.

3. The Languages option lists the programming languages permitted by the test setter to answer the question. Select the required language from the list.
4. You can change the original header and footer of a code by clicking on the View code diff option under settings. You can see the Modified Code section where you can edit the given code, click update to save once you are done. But changing the default code is not recommended, you will be informed the same with a Warning message when you try to modify it. If you still proceed with the modification then it will be reported to your recruiter.     
5. Code your answer in the editor and click Run code to compile. Test cases execute to validate your answer. If permitted for your Test, you can use the intellisense-like-code-autocomplete capability in the editor to avoid compilation and syntax errors and make effective use of your Test time.

5. Debug your code using debug print statements or using the "Test using Custom Inputs" option.

   

   Refer to the following topics for detailed information about debugging code in your Test:

   • Debugging the Logic in Functions
   • Debugging a complete program
6. Click Submit code & continue to submit your answer. You can revisit the question, modify the code, recompile and resubmit the answer any number of times during the Test.

See the following topics for detailed information.

• Modifying your code submissions
• What is the difference between "Run Code" and "Submit code"?
• Is my code auto-submitted if the Test times-out?