I wouldn’t care. Will you get the job or not is all that matters. You’ve done the codes and gave it to them. Spilled milk. What I would do in the... future because that would be pretty irritating to know companies can be sneaky like that is have a few codes you don’t care about to give if that’s possible. If it’s not because situations cause for different codes based on needs; I’d ask in the interview but cleverly like… “wow are these your companies current numbers?”…or something along those lines. If they are then I wouldn’t continue with the interview. The integrity of a business will show you your future as an either happy or unhappy underpaid employee. more

I've had interviews that existed to help solve a problem or challenge. It can't hurt you to ask. Interviewing is a two way street; remember that... you're interviewing them as well. more

I've had interviews that existed to help solve a problem or challenge. It can't hurt you to ask. Interviewing is a two way street; remember that... you're interviewing them as well. more

I once interviewed in Architectural firm. During the interview the principle conducting the interview grabbed a set of plans that had been 'marked up'... with comments from the city planning dept. He instructs me to turn on computer, go to F: drive, open this folder, go to jobs... etc. I'm now in the AutoCad file for the very project. He's now instructing me to 'go to sheet A1.1 move the door on the men's room over 6" to the right...' Now go to Sheet A1.2 and add dimensions to this room here and here, move this wall 1' this direction...' After doing this for about 45mins and going through around 8 sheets of corrections, I pushed my away from the desk I sitting packed up my portfolio and briefcase and said 'I don't work for free!!!' With that I left him with his mouth hanging open.
I was offered the position two days later. I refused. more

For technical roles, asking candidates to write test tasks or do some practical demonstration is not bad. Because beyond words, candidates need to... prove they can actually do the work.
That being said, I think they could have asked you to write a sample code and not the real codes to optimize the company's payment calculation if indeed the idea was to test your skills.
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so what if they ask you to do a bit of free work...do you really think that you are that important?

Yes it was. Many companies have been getting ideas from people during the interview process and they do not usually fill the position

If you're good at what you do, you won't be intimidated or worried about offering a service whether for free or not. If you're that good, it should... make you happy because that's the proof that you're the best
If you were not willing to do anything to prove what you propose via your CV, why did you even apply or go for the interview? .
Don't let money be your drive, you shouldn't be paid for everything.
Have the mentality to serve and improve others not to gain from them, it will open up more opportunities and take you higher and faster than being overwhelmingly self-centred.

What you know is to be shared, not boxed in. more

No that the real interview

if i'm hiring someone to code for me, i'm telling them up front that i'm doing so. did you know that was part of the job before they sprang it on you... in the interview? more

You were invited for a job interview.