What makes someone an expert?

drawmack

Knowing where the cool - relevent links are. I mean think about it a programmer is only as good as their resources. So if just stands to reason that those with the best resources are the best programmers. This being the information age wouldn't that mean the the programmer with the best links wins?

Merve

All programmers refer to resources once in a while...

BuzzLY

I think that really depends on how well a programmer is able to use the resources available to him.

Personally, what I think makes an expert is how much more that person knows than the people judging his expertise. To most of you guys, I am probably an average PHP developer. To the guy bagging my groceries at the local supermarket, I am a Web designer god. It's all about perspective.

GilesGuthrie

Some philosopher said:
There are two kinds of knowledge:
Knowledge about things
Knowing where to find out about things

Bret

Being an expert doesn't necessarily make you successful. A web deveoper with half-assed programming skills and top-notch design skills could very likely be more successful than a prgramming expert with bad taste.

BuzzLY

But doesn't that mean he's an expert designer? Being an expert does not mean being an expert programmer.

And the question is... what makes someone an expert, not what makes someone successful

laserlight

Well, I think the answer is probably a combination.

If you're an expert simply because you know where to get the required info, what happens if you're cut off from your external resources?

Being able to use resources available well is a good thing, but doesnt necessary make you an expert if you cant add/look up more resources of your own.

bad76

Originally posted by laserlight
Well, I think the answer is probably a combination.

If you're an expert simply because you know where to get the required info, what happens if you're cut off from your external resources?

I agree.

And lets me add: You are not necessary an expert if you are memorizing a lot of algorithms.

An expert is that who don't only copy/memorize from external/internal source, but understand what copy/memorize to use in the way it needs.

Weedpacket

I agree as well. As well as what to do and where to find resources, there's also knowing how to do it and when it's appropriate to do so (and who to blame if it all turns to custard).

Jeb_

Originally posted by Weedpacket
(and who to blame if it all turns to custard).

"The wo/man who can smile when things go wrong has probably thought of someone s/he can blame it on"

😃

I define an expert as someone who is very knowledgable, but not arrogant. Someone who can find the resources and use them to their full advantage, but is not too proud to help someone who needs it. I don't care if you eat, sleep and breathe code, if you've got a crappy attitude I don't class you an expert.

That, to me, is an expert.

Merve

Just because you refer to resources once in a while doesn't make you an idiot. I'm pretty sure that everyone who has posted in this thread refers to resources at least once a month, if not way, way more than that. An expert, in my opinion, is someone, who given the tools, can solve almost any problem.

For example, drawmack helped me with something I was having trouble with. The code he came up with was simply brilliant. Did he have to refer to the manual while he was making it? Probably. If I'm wrong drawmack, just tell me.

I'm still relatively new to PHP, and I'm nowhere near an expert, but the manual is still my best friend (when I'm on the computer).

Doug_G

If not referring to manuals and other resources makes you an expert, I guess you'll have to count me out 🙂

drawmack

Originally posted by Merve
For example, drawmack helped me with something I was having trouble with. The code he came up with was simply brilliant. Did he have to refer to the manual while he was making it? Probably. If I'm wrong drawmack, just tell me.

I'm not even sure what problem you're refering to so I will just use my default answer

HUMAN = WRONG 😃

abx_2112

Well I think an average expert on any field must be a good researcher...

For me, that means having good resources and be willing to find new ones. Actually I believe it's much more important the ability to find new stuff.

But I like to be ambicious and think that a real expert (which I hope to become one day) is the one who is providing the new stuff, the new resources (and that better be good stuff in order to be called a RESOURCE).

Obviously, you must check all the available resources before doing the new stuff. Maybe is not that new and you'll end up reinventing the wheel.