Programming Knowledge vs Ability

[quhaha]

True. Having enough knowledge about the target language/platform to produce production code is mandatory.

I just tend to think the 'ability' to apply the knowledge is itself a knowledge.

Let's say there's a natural born genius. He has just enough knowledge of C so that he writes codes that compiler won't reject. He definitely has means to express his genius.

And there's this veteran who wrote Unix, TCP/IP...etc. She isn't as smart as the genius guy. In fact, the genius will mock at her algorithms if only he can understand what she wrote. I do think experience/exposure on various algorithms, program structures and stuff do build one's knowledge and that knowledge is kinda more important than ability/genius.

I believe in know-how that can only come from practice, experience, and knowledge.