I jumped straight to the UI layer and kind of ignored the data modeling problem underneath.
Start by clarifying requirements and constraints, then model the dimmer as a system with shared level tiers and per-bulb scaling. Discuss data modeling for bulbs and levels, and trade-offs between centralized vs. distributed control, emphasizing extensibility and correctness.
Pro tip: Demonstrate maturity by explicitly calling out the difference between logical brightness levels and physical wattage, and how you'd handle edge cases like bulb replacement or adding new bulbs without disrupting existing ones.
Ask questions to understand the scope: Are bulbs individually addressable? Is the dimmer a physical device or software? What are the exact wattage tiers? This ensures you solve the right problem.
Model bulbs with attributes like max wattage and current level, and levels as an enum (e.g., LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH). Define a mapping from level to a percentage of max wattage, ensuring all bulbs share the same tiers.
Implement a dimmer controller that sets the level for all bulbs or individual bulbs. For each bulb, compute actual wattage as percentage * max wattage. Consider whether the dimmer stores state or delegates to bulbs.
Compare centralized vs. distributed control, and how to handle adding new bulbs or changing tiers. Address consistency, fault tolerance, and whether to use hardware or software solutions.
Walk through an example with two bulbs of different max wattages to show the output per level. Discuss edge cases like zero wattage, bulb failure, or simultaneous updates.
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