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should go up to 3999 which is MMMCMXCIX
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by the way, the real WTF is inhuman resources
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Had to comment on this one, even though its dead. Necro alert.
First, this test problem is a clunker. When will you need to convert from a more complicated number system to a standard one? Did you accidentally store your data in Roman numerals.
Secondly, If I were programming that ridiculous test, I might convert a decimal as a string as well. What other reason to convert from Roman Numeral other than display purposes? Stupid problem, stupid answer.
Thirdly, this isn't a failure on the programmer. You told to help the knowledge gap. The issues you had with his work is good coding practice issues, not syntax, not mechanical, etc. If you can't teach a new programmer good coding practices, then how can you expect to develop good coding style at your workplace.
No, I think your work environment would likely cause more WTF than your bosses decisions about hiring practices.
The only thing you can really point your finger at is the crappy education system in place for programmers. They spend more time on sounding fancy for their class titles, than they do trying to teach good coding practice: coding clean, maintainable, well-documented, and flexible code. Knowing when to be dynamic or static, not over-coding, etc.