During interviews, many people claim to have achieved a lot of stuff, but fail to show them. In those cases what questions should the interviewer ask to spot the fake programmers?
I think the question is already answered in it's asking: [... fail to show them...].
I think it depends on what you are looking for. Sometimes people doesn't seem to be good programmers, but rather need good guidance. Some people have to be free to fully unfold their potential. There is really no black-white answer. In case of the questions of the interviewer: For the generel interview process: Ask open question and let them talk about their passion. ( A person who just thinks about programming will deliver some day). For technical process: Let them talk about bugs or problems they have encountered. If they can't name any you know straight away. :)
Ask them about the bad parts of the language/platform/framework/... If anyone really had a serious experience then he will start talking about all annoying stuff he had to fought before.
Well "fake programmers" aren't really fake they are just bad at Language X Or pretend to know it! They use fancy words that they have learned from some website and try to impress you by throwing a couple of words till you hire them LOL. If they claim of having xx years of experience they can't really prove it during an interview.. If they have certifications / degrees of some sort make sure it is from a trusted source and verify it's authenticity.
TheSheriff
Co-Founder, Founder, Entrepreneur & Problem Solver
Ask them how they have 10 years commercial experience of language X but are 25 years old and only had a job for 2 years......
When they say "overtime" please try not to laugh.