Is it acceptable for a C++ programmer to not know how null-terminated strings work? [closed]

Question

Is there any way for a C++ programmer with 1,5 years of experience to have no idea that null-terminated strings exist as a concept and are widely used in a variety of applications? Is this a sign that he is potentially a bad hire?

Answer 1

Is there any way for a C++ programmer with 1,5 years of experience to have no idea that NULL-terminated strings exist as a concept and are widely used in a variety of applications?

No. What have he/she been doing for these 1,5 years?

Is this a sign that he is potentially a bad hire?

Yes. Knowledge of C should be mandatory for a C++ programmer.

Answer 2

What does he use -- std::string only? Does he know about string literals? What is his take on string literals?

There's too little detail to tell you if he's a bad hire, but he sounds like he needs a bit more talking to than most.