How Can I Tell If I’m a Good Programmer?

In my view, good programming involves strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and a willingness to learn. Coding is just a tool; it's really about how you use that tool to address problems.

A good programmer is someone who can visualize a solution, break it down into clear steps, and write the code to execute those steps. You don’t need to know every detail about each programming language or tech stack. Remember, every programmer hits a wall sometimes; if you never do, you're probably not pushing your limits!

I've been in this field for decades, and I still discover new things regularly. Ultimately, the best measure of your skills is if your users are happy. Keep coding, and you'll keep learning new stuff!

I can’t give you a strict answer on when you’ll feel ‘good’ at coding, but I can suggest some steps: 1) Reflect on your code to ensure it's effective. 2) Fix bugs and learn why they occurred. 3) Compare your work to others and embrace feedback. 4) Make intentional decisions with your code and learn from them. 5) Collaborate with others to gain new insights. 6) Keep iterating—this process of observing, considering, and adapting is key to improving. Consistent practice combined with thoughtful evaluation will really help you progress!

Being a good programmer often boils down to whether you can create effective software. What that looks like can really vary based on job opportunities around you. I recommend checking local job listings to see what employers are looking for. Can you meet those needs with your skills?

Kudos on your chess engine! That's an impressive feat! A strong programmer focuses on solving problems effectively, writing clean code, and continuously learning. For IT positions, it's helpful to understand data structures, algorithms, Git version control, and testing. Work on real projects and dive into open-source contributions; experience is where the magic happens!