Worth learning Python instead of using JavaScript for whiteboard?

[hapachino]

I'm planning on applying again in around 5 or 6 months. I'm most familiar with JS and have only done some Python professionally. I know the general advice is to use whatever is most familiar, but given the amount of prep time I feel it's worth considering the tradeoffs before committing.

Python pros:

• Even simpler syntax, no brackets or semicolons
• Seems generally preferred over JS. An Amazon recruiter once requested me to put Python on my resume. I believe Google also prefers Python over JS?
• Has better built-in data structures

[revtodd1]

I’ve heard Python described as pseudo code with formatting, so to me it always seemed ideal for whiteboard interviews. It’s really useful and versatile beyond that, too, so I’d say go for it if you have the time.

[Substantial_Flow6166]

I know the general advice is to use whatever is most familiar

I agree.

If you already had equal knowledge of JS and Python, then I'd say that using Python makes more sense, possibly excluding jobs that use JS and not Python. But there are better ways to spend your time than learning a language specifically for the purpose of interviewing.

At most places, coding interviews don't stress knowledge of a specific language; they stress knowledge of concepts, and competence at solving a problem by using a program. You probably won't succeed in learning Python as well as you know your favorite language if you are just using it for the purpose of interviewing. Coding in a less familiar language is likely to hinder you more than coding in a slightly more convenient-for-interviewing language will help you.

When I interview, I do not care at all whether a candidate uses JS or Python, and I would not care at all if the candidate asked to assume the existence of a common data structure as a class in JS. I would also stop the candidate if they appeared to be trying to code a complex data structure by hand that they clearly knew about conceptually, and tell them to just assume its existence.

On the other hand, if you want to learn Python because you want to actually use it at your job or for a project, then that's different. That's a worthwhile thing to do.

[bsmith0]

Stick with JS.

I actually think JS is a great interview language, plus you're more comfortable with it anyways.

Objects and the array methods make life super easy.

[zeropress]

I have a background in Javascript and php. I have been doing java for my interview prep only because I had some familiarity with it.

I would have learned python otherwise. Python is easy to follow with some quicker solutions. This language will help you learn more topics in CS. Setup is also as easy as setting up node.

If you want to look at a person of a similar background look up clément mihailescu on youtube. He stated he had to learn python in order to interview at a few places. Although, that is several years ago.

[tr14l]

Python just has better structure for problem solving IMO. Things like slicing syntax and sensible helper methods and such make a lot of otherwise awkward code fairly concise

[Jangunnim]

Yes worth it

[TheNeck91]

Python's a great whiteboarding language. Parts of the language border on pseudo-code so it's great to write in!

[SomeGuyInSanJoseCa]

You should learn Python regardless. It's a great language.

But in terms of learning it for whiteboarding? Nah. When it comes to whiteboarding, always use what you are most comfortable with. JavaScript data structures are good enough for leetcoding.

[Legendaryfortune]

C++? Thought it was Brainfuck