As a C++-programmer in interviews I repeatedly found myself in situations were t

Question

As a C++-programmer in interviews I repeatedly found myself in situations were the interviewer wanted to probe my knowledge of good programming style. These typically were centered around basic knowledge of OOP.

I know OOP is useful to encapsulate concepts and I use it daily. However, since a language like C++ allows many different styles and some C++ approaches like TMP or STL algorithms are not OOP at all (but rather more like functional programming) I find myself stuck on how to best "sell" my knowledge of other approaches as well without coming across as arrogant or as somebody without appreciation of the basics. I fear this emphasis on OOP of the askers comes from them being socialized in the 90s where OOP was believed to be the cure-all, but that is an arrogant standpoint to take.

How would I make the best of questions like this?

Explanation / Answer

I would say you have to do your best answering this kind of questions, like you should do your best answering any kind of questions.

Later on when you are given the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions, you should raise the subject, asking questions like:

Do you only do OOP?
I use a different programming approach, how is it acceptable in your team?
And so on... and this way you can not only start a conversation about selling your expertise with those other approaches, you can also see how rigid and how much emphasis is really given to OOP in that team/company.

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