> But programming is exactly the same. A programmer knows how to program
That approach works much better for more experienced senior devs. It takes time to go from knowing a particular language for a particular type of software to recognizing the universal patterns and picking up new languages and types of software project quickly.
I've been in it for around 15 years and feel pretty comfortable picking up a new language and jumping around between stack, frontend/back end/db, and languages. That takes time though and I still have plenty I could learn. 5 or 10 years ago I may have felt confident in that bit I'm not so sure I'd have been able competitive if the industry all went into the job market post-LLM layoffs (hypothetical?).
> That approach works much better for more experienced senior devs.
I don't think we're talking about junior developers here since the counter-example is a Cello player in orchestras and symphonies, those have to be considered "senior" as well no?
> I've been in it for around 15 years and feel pretty comfortable picking up a new language and jumping around between stack, frontend/back end/db, and languages.
Yeah, but that's comparing it to a musician switching instrument, instead of just a musician switching the place they play. The comparison then would be that a desktop app programmer does a todo app, or they do a calendar app. Both involving still the same instrument/area of programming, but different environments of sorts.
I do agree with your points here, but they don't align with the original quote I was responding to.
> But programming is exactly the same. A programmer knows how to program.
This would be akin to saying a cello player knows how to orchestra, and changing instruments wouldn't be a problem.
Software development in the frontend, backend, database, etc are very different skills especially when at a non-junior level. Expecting someone to jump between them without much to any training is like expecting a cellist to jump over to the violin.
That approach works much better for more experienced senior devs. It takes time to go from knowing a particular language for a particular type of software to recognizing the universal patterns and picking up new languages and types of software project quickly.
I've been in it for around 15 years and feel pretty comfortable picking up a new language and jumping around between stack, frontend/back end/db, and languages. That takes time though and I still have plenty I could learn. 5 or 10 years ago I may have felt confident in that bit I'm not so sure I'd have been able competitive if the industry all went into the job market post-LLM layoffs (hypothetical?).