This comment propagates the nonsense that skills with algos are somehow harder or more exclusive than software engineering skills. They are orthogonal and interviews that conflate them are part of the problem.
Consider this, many of the most novel algorithms were published without ever being run in actual software or in part of a larger system.
Most people would say algorithms are the building blocks of software engineering, not orthogonal.
Most screens also include a systems design test. Maybe you could argue all we ever should do is system design tests. But they don’t always involve coding.
Aluminum is a building block of modern large airplanes. When hiring aeronautical engineers I don’t grill them on the finer points of aluminum smelting.
Consider this, many of the most novel algorithms were published without ever being run in actual software or in part of a larger system.