Ask HN: How do you measure your level of expertise with a programming language?
I've been reading about Quantified Self (https://quantifiedself.com/) and the empirical measurement aspect of it seems like it could be a good fit for measuring level of proficiency in using a programming language while learning it.
I plan on tracking things like the learning resources I use and how much time I spend programming. But what benchmarks, milestones, or determining factors would you use in determining how "good" you are with a programming language?
1 comment
[ 23.1 ms ] story [ 1196 ms ] thread1) How frequently do I have to google for the correct syntax
2) How frequently do I google for an answer to a question I have already asked.
Now, for the most part, the central parts of most languages just are what they are and follow predictable patterns. Now, for me the measure I use is more like:
"Given a problem, can I accurately estimate the cost/effort required to provide a solution?"
That will depend on my ability to answer more specific questions like:
How well do I understand the ecosystem that surrounds a language?
If I have a problem to solve, do I know if that can be solved with the "standard libraries"?
If I need extra libraries/packages, do I know what those actually are?
If so, can I use those libraries effectively even if I am offline?
and so on.