&gt; Correct me if Im wrong but you are implying, if an individual understands how to command something or do a task, they have a realization of how the bigger picture works to some extent.<p>No: I am not trying to say someone knows how to program if they can program.<p>In fact, I suspect strongly the opposite: Most people who can program do not have any idea how <i>they</i> program, let alone how <i>to</i> program.<p>I am saying there are at least two essential skills which are &quot;programming&quot;, and not just the one you brought up.<p>There are more: One must also have a command of the grammar and syntax, but I find that despite how much time people spend on it, this speaks more about how complex languages are, than it does about programming[1], and so I did not bring it up.<p>[1]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=9122299" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=9122299</a><p>&gt; Are you interviewing individuals&#x2F;doing this scientifically or is this a personal theory you test when given the opportunity?<p>I&#x27;m a professional and not an academic, and yet a big part of my role is to grow programmers, so it&#x27;s a little more than a personal theory, but a lot less than a study.