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HyperTalk is a high-level, procedural programming language created by Dan Winkler and used in Apple Computer's HyperCard software, which was released in 1987. It is specifically designed for ease of use, employing an English-like syntax to facilitate programming by non-programmers. The language allows users to script the behavior of "buttons" and other objects in the HyperCard environment, making it instrumental in creating interactive applications. Despite its discontinuation in 2004, HyperTalk's influence can be seen in modern scripting languages like JavaScript and AppleScript. This information is derived from reputable sources including Apple Inc., and various historical software archives.

Ask the right questions secure the right HyperTalk talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.

First 20 minutes

General HyperTalk app knowledge and experience

The first 20 minutes of the interview should seek to understand the candidate's general background in HyperTalk application development, including their experience with various programming languages, databases, and their approach to designing scalable and maintainable systems.

What is the purpose of HyperTalk?

HyperTalk is a high-level, procedural programming language that is used to script applications in the HyperCard environment. It is designed to be easy to use and understand, even for people who are not professional programmers.

How would you create a button in HyperTalk?

You can create a button in HyperTalk by using the 'button' command. For example, 'create button "MyButton"' would create a new button with the label 'MyButton'.

What is the role of handlers in HyperTalk?

Handlers in HyperTalk are used to define how an object responds to a specific event or action. They contain the code that is executed when the event or action occurs.

How would you handle errors in HyperTalk?

In HyperTalk, you can handle errors by using the 'try' and 'catch' commands. The 'try' command is used to specify a block of code that might cause an error, and the 'catch' command is used to specify what should happen if an error does occur.

What is the difference between global and local variables in HyperTalk?

In HyperTalk, global variables are accessible from anywhere in the script, while local variables are only accessible within the handler in which they are declared.

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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate have a strong understanding of HyperTalk?

Has the candidate demonstrated problem-solving skills?

What kind of experience does the candidate have with HyperCard?

How well does the candidate understand and apply object-oriented programming concepts?

Next 20 minutes

Specific HyperTalk development questions

The next 20 minutes of the interview should focus on the candidate's expertise with specific backend frameworks, their understanding of RESTful APIs, and their experience in handling data storage and retrieval efficiently.

How would you use the 'repeat' command in HyperTalk?

The 'repeat' command in HyperTalk is used to execute a block of code multiple times. For example, 'repeat 5 times' would execute the following block of code five times.

What are the different types of data that can be stored in HyperTalk variables?

HyperTalk variables can store various types of data, including numbers, strings, dates, and boolean values.

How would you create a custom function in HyperTalk?

In HyperTalk, you can create a custom function by using the 'function' command, followed by the name of the function and any parameters it takes. The code for the function is then written within the function block.

What is the difference between 'pass' and 'exit' commands in HyperTalk?

'Pass' and 'exit' are both used to control the flow of execution in a HyperTalk script. 'Pass' allows the event to be passed on to the next handler in the message hierarchy, while 'exit' stops the execution of the current handler immediately.

How would you use the 'send' command in HyperTalk?

The 'send' command in HyperTalk is used to send a message to a specific object. For example, 'send "mouseUp" to button "MyButton"' would simulate a mouseUp event on the button labeled 'MyButton'.

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At this point, a skilled HyperTalk engineer should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency in HyperTalk programming language, and knowledge of software development methodologies. Red flags include lack of hands-on experience, inability to articulate complex concepts, or unfamiliarity with standard coding practices.

Digging deeper

Code questions

These will help you see the candidate's real-world development capabilities with HyperTalk.

What does this simple HyperTalk code do?
on mouseUp
  answer "Hello, World!"
end mouseUp
This code displays a dialog box with the message 'Hello, World!' when the mouse button is released.
What does this HyperTalk code do?
on mouseUp
  put "Hello, World!" into field "Greeting"
end mouseUp
This code puts the string 'Hello, World!' into a field named 'Greeting' when the mouse button is released.
What does this HyperTalk code do?
on mouseUp
  put the number of cards of this stack into field "CardCount"
end mouseUp
This code puts the number of cards in the current stack into a field named 'CardCount' when the mouse button is released.
What does this HyperTalk code do?
on mouseUp
  lock screen
  visual effect push left fast
  go to card "NextCard"
  unlock screen with visual effect
end mouseUp
This code locks the screen, applies a visual effect, goes to a card named 'NextCard', and then unlocks the screen with the visual effect when the mouse button is released.

Wrap-up questions

Final candidate for HyperTalk Developer role questions

The final few questions should evaluate the candidate's teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, assess their knowledge of microservices architecture, serverless computing, and how they handle HyperTalk application deployments. Inquire about their experience in handling system failures and their approach to debugging and troubleshooting.

What is the role of stacks and cards in HyperTalk?

In HyperTalk, stacks are collections of cards, which are individual screens or pages. Each card can contain various objects, such as buttons and fields, and can have its own scripts and behaviors.

How would you use the 'ask' and 'answer' commands in HyperTalk?

The 'ask' command in HyperTalk is used to display a dialog box that prompts the user for input. The 'answer' command is used to display a dialog box that presents the user with a message and one or more buttons.

What is the difference between the 'go' and 'visual effect' commands in HyperTalk?

The 'go' command in HyperTalk is used to navigate between cards, while the 'visual effect' command is used to specify a transition effect that should be used when navigating between cards.

HyperTalk application related

Product Perfect's HyperTalk development capabilities

Beyond hiring for your HyperTalk engineering team, you may be in the market for additional help. Product Perfect provides seasoned expertise in HyperTalk projects, and can engage in multiple capacities.

HyperTalk Consultive assessments

HyperTalk Application Conversion Assessment HyperTalk Application Integration Assessment HyperTalk Data & Database Integration Assessment

Custom HyperTalk development projects

Custom HyperTalk App Conversion HyperTalk Custom App Development Process App UI Design for HyperTalk Facelifts

Hiring guide for HyperTalk Engineers

HyperTalk Developer Hiring Guide

What you’re looking for early on

The ideal back-end app developer

What you’re looking to see on the HyperTalk engineer at this point.

HyperTalk Consultive assessments

Custom HyperTalk development projects