How Deep Should You Go?
Today’s chat (2026-04-21) we’ll talk about this ongoing debate between what you should know as a developer.
One side says: “Every programmer should learn C. Implement a linked list, hash table, and binary tree. Then build a simple CLI program and a basic network server. Not because you’ll use it daily, but because it strips away every abstraction you’ve been hiding behind and shows you what’s really beneath whatever language you use daily.”
Another side responds: “Every C programmer should write assembler. Every assembler programmer should write machine code. Every machine code programmer should design a chip. Every chip designer should work on a Turing ticker tape machine. Learn what you need for the level you work at. And a bit of what’s further down and further up the stack. For most people, linked lists are further down the stack than they need to venture.”
Who’s right? What has worked for you personally?
Everyone and anyone is welcome to join as long as you are kind, supportive, and respectful of others.
