How can you tell when you've truly become fluent in a programming language?

Signs of Programming Language Fluency - Natural Syntax: Writing code and recalling syntax comes without effort. - Efficient Debugging: Solving bugs and issues using minimal external help. - Intuitive Problem-Solving: Translating problems into code solutions naturally. - Library Knowledge: Proficient with the language's standard libraries. - Best Practices: Consistently using established coding practices. - Idiomatic Coding: Writing readable and maintainable code that follows language idioms. - Teaching Ability: Clearly explaining language concepts to others. - Tool Proficiency: Skilled use of frameworks, tools, and environments. - Seamless Refactoring: Enhancing code without changing its behavior..

In my opinion, as humans it it not essential to know every detail of a program but rather have the knowledge of the basic rules of a programming language and use that to understand any complex code. Programming languages also evolve over time and it's important to know about new features and enhancements but it does not make sense to remember everything, in fact what machines are for and the internet is there always to help us. So instead of knowing all the syntax and APIs, try to understand the basics and features of a programming language.

- You know the quirks of the language - You know the tools and ecosystem the language offers - You write code without looking up the documentation - You solve business problems without getting lost in the language syntax

True fluency in a programming language means not leaning on external resources for every line of code. It's about intuitively understanding the syntax and structure. You'll find yourself effortlessly reading, modifying, and debugging code, even when it's written by others. This level of comfort and familiarity signifies that you've transcended from merely using the language to thinking in it.

Being fluent isn't just about knowing the language's ABCs; it's about tackling problems smoothly. When you can solve coding puzzles without always Googling, it's a sign of true fluency. Imagine coding like telling a story – you know the plot (the problem) and how to express it (write code) without needing to check the script (documentation) every minute. It's about becoming a confident storyteller in the programming world!

Fluency is also about skillfully wielding the language's tools - its features and libraries. It's not just knowing what's available, but how and when to use them effectively. This proficiency is about optimizing your code, harnessing the language’s strengths, and navigating its quirks. Choosing the right libraries and applying best practices becomes second nature, elevating your code from functional to exceptional.

In my Opinion , true fluency in a programming language also involves the ability to effectively collaborate with other developers, contribute to open-source projects, and understand and apply coding conventions and style guides. This emphasizes the importance of communication, teamwork, and integration with larger coding communities, showcasing a more holistic understanding of language proficiency.

Something that we have to keep in mind in this world is that almost everything has already been created. Then surely there is already a library or tool that at least helps me get closer to my goal. Implementing third-party solutions shows that you can work with code developed by others, and that adds points.

Achieving fluency in a programming language means that you've moved beyond the syntax & into the strategic use of the language's ecosystem to construct efficient & robust solutions. This proficiency is reflected in how you employ the language's built-in features & the wealth of libraries at your disposal. Understanding the language's data structures & paradigms means you can select the most appropriate tools for your tasks. For instance, you'll know when to use a list over a set, or when a functional approach might be more suitable than an object-oriented one. You're adept at harnessing the power of language-specific operators & constructs that can make your code more concise & expressive.

Libraries are the backbone of every programmer. You rely on them to make the complex become reality. There's so much that libraries bring to the table that it is impossible to know them all. Most developers only know a few dozen libraries and do wonders with them.

When you start thinking and communicating in a programming language, you've achieved true fluency. It's more than syntax; it's about embodying the language's logic and paradigms. You're able to design solutions, articulate your rationale, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers. This level of understanding transforms coding from a task to a form of expression.

The way you comment, document, name variables... But also the way you structure your Readme document for others to understand your code is all part of being a great developer. You can't expect a developer to just come and understand the whole code without proper communication inside the code (comments, resources, variable names...) and outside (readme file, and external sources).

The concepts underpinning programming languages are largely very similar, and it is essential to learn these above and beyond the nuances of specific languages. Understanding these concepts allow you to switch easily from one language to another, because a 'loop' or 'map' in one language, is not so different from another. That being said, there are unique aspects to specific languages - such as how the language manages memory, or pointers - and these specifics should be understood and/or learnt if possible, as they can be critical in debugging. These 'gotchas' are one of the main differences between someone new to a language, and someone proficient.

This proficiency allows you to design and implement solutions using the language's abstractions and principles. It's not just about writing code; it's about explaining and justifying your choices and trade-offs effectively. Engaging in code reviews, discussions, and collaborations with fellow developers who use the same language becomes a natural part of this fluency, offering valuable opportunities to learn and improve based on feedback and suggestions. In the language of code, this fluency is akin to articulating a coherent and persuasive narrative, not just in syntax but in the language's deeper structures and principles.

Also, fluency of programming with strong logical thinking are often able to come up with multiple, efficient solutions to a same problem, therefore, leveraging their understanding of the language’s capabilities and limitations.

Fluency can be about confidence in a language - but confidence is hugely difficult to measure, and varies massively from person to person. A programmers sense of confidence in a new language can be affected greatly by the code they are encountering in the workplace - and that code might not be good code! It could be bloated, or overly complex, and that can then produce anxiety and an unwillingness to play. 'Play' is the essential term here - adaptability, learning new things, learning innovations - all of these things are about a willingness to play, and to feel comfortable playing with the language. Surround yourself with people who play, who celebrate your victories and failures (no matter how big / small), and try and fail fast.

Attaining fluency in a programming language includes an intrinsic ability to evolve with the language & its ecosystem. It's about being agile & receptive, not just to the language's current state but to its future trajectory as well. In the fast-paced world of technology, languages continually evolve—new features are added, libraries are updated, & best practices are revised. Your ability to absorb these changes & incorporate them into your repertoire is a testament to your fluency. It's like being a skilled surfer, riding the waves of change rather than being swamped by them.

Fluency in a programming language means seamlessly adapting and learning new aspects without feeling overwhelmed. From my perspective, it's about staying current with trends, experimenting with new features, and confidently tackling diverse projects. It's not just keeping up; it's actively shaping the evolving narrative of your coding journey.

- Adapting and Learning: True fluency is marked by comfortably adapting to new linguistic elements without feeling overwhelmed. - Trend Awareness: Staying updated with the latest language trends, updates, and innovations signifies a deep understanding. - Exploring New Features: Fluency allows experimentation with new language features, libraries, and tools, enhancing versatility. - Expanding Knowledge: Diving into different domains and applications showcases the ability to apply language skills in varied contexts. - Challenging Projects: Taking on more complex and advanced projects indicates a higher level of comprehension and skill. Continuous Growth: Fluency is not static but involves continuous learning and adaptation.

Transferring skills between languages is a testament to an abstract understanding of programming concepts that transcend syntax. It’s about recognizing patterns of logic and problem-solving that are universal, much like understanding the underlying principles of mathematics can make learning different types of math easier. The ability to move between languages with ease signifies a mastery that is not just technical, but conceptual.

Totally, code complete book mention something like, when you choose the right language for the right task. You have master it. One step at a time!

as long as languanges are developed by people there will always be some common ground between languanges, some more than others. an example would be C++ & Dart both object oriented but the later trades off control for ease of use & reduction of problematic coding practices, same can be said for C++/C vs RUST.

This here goes beyond being fluent in just one language, it's like having a different sense of reasoning. You can see how everything works regardless of what language it is written in. At the end of the day, programming is just telling the computer what to do and regardless of the language, it's all transcribed to what the computer understands, so they are all really doing the same thing, and being able to see that sets you on another scale.

Understanding how it works from a low-level perspective could easily facilitate transferring to another language compared to a syntax-level understanding. Take JVM memory management, for example. While the specifics may differ between Java and Python, the fundamental concepts remain similar. Knowledge of memory management principles from the JVM can be applied to understanding Python's memory model. From that, we can grasp the idea of pass-by-value and how to free memory more efficiently in the new language.

This fluency is characterized by a genuine passion and curiosity, a constant eagerness to improve and expand capabilities. It's not just about the code; it's about taking pride and finding accomplishment in what you create with the language. Being part of the language's community and culture becomes a source of pride, adding a sense of belonging to your coding journey.

There are dangers and pitfalls to confidence and pride, however. Within a work setting, you should always be conscious that there will be others who do not have the same level of confidence as you. Your code can become more complex, as your knowledge improves - but complexity, although often pretty, and quite awe-inspiring - can often be difficult to understand. Do not forget to share that learning, and to refactor / add comments to make it more readable. We should feel a sense of accomplishment when we create a task, or find an elegant solution - but pride, I'm not so keen on. Keep being curious, and play with your solutions again and again - it's amazing what you discover when trying the same thing a different way.

If you can complete features in a reasonable amount of time then you're fluent in the language. How well you memorize common patterns or know languages internals are often not impactful unless you work on the language itself.

Pour ma?triser un langage de programmation mieux que 80% des développeurs, il y a une technique toute simple : Commence par lire sa documentation !

I'd also add: Embracing the Language's Evolution Fluency in a language isn't just about mastering its current state but also about embracing its evolution. For that keep an eye on upcoming features and community discussions. Engage with beta versions or experimental branches to understand where the language is headed and how it's evolving. Being involved in this growth journey not only demonstrates your dedication but also positions you as an early adopter of the language's advancements.

Few skills which can give you confidence on your grip of programming languages: - Quality of code reviews - Design patterns - Writing test codes with higher coverage - Ability to achieve development goals within time (or before)

I think the best way to know if you're fluent in that programming language is you are just thinking about the logic the whole time while writing code, not worrying about the coding, compilation errors and the syntax, but yeah of course you can get errors in these but also you know, you can do that right.