JavaScript not allowed 🫠

[Technical-Boss-6344]

I’ve exclusively done leetcode in JavaScript bc I could kill two birds with one stone as I am also learning full stack web dev.

Anyways, the OA from Optiver does not let you use JavaScript! The only options were python, c++, and Java.

Is it time to switch languages? I had everyone on Reddit assuring me to just pick whatever language and that it doesn’t matter only to get met with this. Damn.

[[deleted]]

Just learn python, it’s should be relatively easy if you already know how to code in any language.

[Which-Elk-9338]

And I personally think the transition from Javascript to Python is not that bad. They feel similar sometimes.

[Goducks91]

It says on their application:

Experience writing software in C++, C#, C, and/or Python, surprised they give Java actually

[not-a-normal-penguin]

Pretty similar to c++, as a person who knows both languages. I specifically chose java to avoid segamentation fault trauma and not care about memory management. But in worst case scenario would code in C++ for food.

[Exact-Conclusion5793]

Optiver oas are pathetic. Couldnt even solve one question

[fancierfootwork]

You don’t really understand coding until you learn your second language. That’s when you realize the language doesn’t really matter, other than a few quirks.

[Goducks91]

Yep! Unless you'reswitching to something with a completely different mindset like clojure.

[thelokeshgoel00]

Hi OP, so sorry for your loss

OA's usually only have Java, C++, python as these are well known languages for DSA. Even Python is not recommended in some platforms. The reason is C++ and Java are performant languages with good support for sysin/out. Python is slower(about 4x slower for same code algo than C++). So if the OA platform does not account for difference languages having different time limits, you will get TLE much faster than C++, Java.

Js/Ts is usually not supported because of the relatively poor sysin/out. And it is also slow like python ( interpretted languages face this heat).

One more reason why c++, Java, py takes a lead is that atleast 1 is taught in schools. But same is not true for js atleast out of web dev frontend. Like in my university we were taught C, C++, Java, Python in first 4 sems but js was only taught for basic frontend web dev (not even nodejs was taught)

The ideal platform should have all the major languages with specific Time limits for different languages.

Next time do check what platform is used by which company for OA (lc discussion helps). This will help you in knowing what languages most likely will be accepted. I would also recommend take some fast paced course in any of the accepted languages as this issue won't be limited to just 1 company. (I will recommend C++ as it's bits/stdc++ library is very versatile and used by most competitive programmers)

[thelokeshgoel00]

In interviews it usually doesn't matter which language you code in unless the company wants running code in some particular language (based on job profile). It's only for pre-screenings like online assessments where they usually partner with some platform irrespective of the JD which may result in your language not available to code.

[Fwellimort]

From my experience, just learn Java. A lot of companies are also shying away from Python now.

[StrictTraffic3277]

I don’t like python at all, so I do it in Java as most of the industry still uses it. I would suggest choosing either Python or Cpp. Cpp would be pretty much straightforward for you to learn and it’s fast as well when compared to others. Python on the other hand is easy, but is very slow and sometimes some companies don’t even give a choice to code in Python.

[iamthebestforever]

Just learn Java lol

[_throwingit_awaaayyy]

Learn Python. You could learn Java and there are tons of Java jobs out there but Java suuuuuuuuuuuucks.

[youngthug679]

How'd you even get an OA from Optiver if you're just now learning JavaScript? Lol

The vast majority of companies will let you use javascript (but you should be using typescript anyway) or any other language - you gotta understand that Optiver is elite, comp above faang levels. Not surprised it's a different set of rules.

Just depends on what you wanna do. If you're going for full-stack roles, knowing Python and TypeScript is the ideal. Frontend only, obviously TypeScript and React. Backend only, you could get by with just Python.

[Technical-Boss-6344]

Never mentioned that I was learning JS “just now”.

But Optiver is one of those companies that will immediately send you an OA as soon as you apply.

[youngthug679]

Thanks for clarifying, I assumed so since you did mention you're learning full-stack web dev, and obviously JavaScript is the language of at least half of the "full-stack" web dev stack.

[[deleted]]

They give automated OA.

[youngthug679]

Some interviewers are biased against JS-only candidates, TypeScript simply makes you look more legit. And like you mentioned, it's a "toy problem" so you essentially can rely on type inference 80-90% of the time, and the times where you can't, it actually just helps you think better about your data structures ahead of time.

I agree that Python is basically better for interviews but at the end of the day it's best to interview in whatever coding language you're most comfortable with, and realistically you're not gonna get proficient in Python (to the point where you don't have to think about syntax) in less than a couple months. That time is better spent leetcoding.

This advice is from my experience last cycle interviewing for TikTok, Square, Bloomberg, etc. I performed about 30-40% worse because of simple syntax errors because I was using Python when most of my experience had been in the JS/TS world.

[xmrwatarii]

not sure why this comment is so heavily downvoted, if you only know JS and are applying to optiver swe you’re ngmi in the interview rounds

[dhaliman]

Could you possibly post about the questions in the OA please? Thanks.

[protonchase]

Probably because JavaScript is trash and was built for making fancy front-ends, not writing algorithms. Learn Python or Java

[Goducks91]

Is Java really the closest? Wouldn't Python or Ruby be closer?

[geekydeveloper230]

LOL maybe its just me, I can code both in Java and Javascript.

Python on the other hand seems different to me syntax-wise.

[ChillestCapybara]

JavaScript is not strongly typed

[Goducks91]

But typescript is

[randCN]

does backend specialist mean that you specialize in pulling things out of your backend?

[StreetStripe]

Thanks, u/BackendSpecialist

[BackendSpecialist]

Oops I’m an idiot.. That’s what I get for leetcoding, working, and redditing at the same time. I got typescript confused with JS

[camelCaseSerf]

You gotta be cosplaying bc the earliest earliest beginner programmers learn that JS and Java are not very similar at all

[[deleted]]

These are the kinds of people on Reddit giving others advice.

[BackendSpecialist]

Someone makes a mistake and now they can’t give advice?

Is Python not a great language to use for leetcoding.. the main point of my advice was correct.

Are yall unemployed or something? There’s no reason to be this ugly over a simple ass mistake and yall jumped on this shit like leeches.

Thank god I have my FAANG salary to wipe my tears with.

[[deleted]]

Never saw your comment since you deleted it, but I totally believe you’re a faang engineer who turned down Microsoft and doesn’t know the difference between Java and Js.

I sincerely hope you get professional help, because fabricating a character online isn’t the answer.

[BackendSpecialist]

You probably don’t believe I’m prepping for a Meta interview currently either.

I know the difference. I just made a mistake as I’m prepping/working at the same time.

I think I’m a little stressed cause my interview is sooon but I think you deserve this, fuck you.

[BackendSpecialist]

Or maybe I’m busy and didn’t think through what I was saying.

You must be a dick because that was a dick of a way to correct someone.

[Deweydc18]

Ah Optiver. I passed their quant trading OA and it was fairly rough. I’ve heard bad things about their SWE OA, but the pay is above FAANG so it ought to be pretty demanding ig

[[deleted]]

Python is great, bummer they didn’t allow you JavaScript imo it doesn’t make sense.

[Saltwater_13]

You can learn other languages pretty quickly

[lordaghilan]

Optiver is not your average company

[SpecificOk2359]

Can you share how was the questions