Set up a Python interview environment
Company: Meta
Role: Software Engineer
Category: Data Manipulation (SQL/Python)
Difficulty: medium
Interview Round: Onsite
You can use AI coding tools. Prepare a clean laptop for a Python-based onsite and explain your steps:
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1) Install pyenv and set up a project-specific virtual environment;
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2) Manage environment variables securely for API keys;
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3) Configure a fast feedback loop (formatter, linter, tests, live-reload);
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4) Ensure reproducibility with a lockfile and Makefile/scripts;
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5) Validate everything by scaffolding a small CLI/HTTP service. Justify each choice and note common pitfalls.
Overview: This question evaluates proficiency in Python development environment setup, including dependency and virtual environment management, secure handling of environment variables for secrets, tooling for rapid feedback, reproducibility practices, and basic service scaffolding.
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