I disagree. I simply don't believe in x years of experience for being good. Each programmer is as good as s/he is. Absolutely no relation between the number of years of experience and the quality of the code/design.

Vlad

>I'll take a different 'angle' from the rest Martin. If you're talking about strictly a 'programmer' and not a 'developer' then after a couple of good years of learning the style and discipline of coding a person *could* be a good programmer. Becomming a 'developer' takes a bit longer because experience takes time. I'd say a minimum of 7 years experience in general business and maybe 2-3 years experience in a specific field could make you a good developer.
>Programming and Developing are very different and are often confused.
>
>I started 'programming' at 14 (remember the Commodore PET and 64?) and started 'developing' at 20. I'm still trying to get good at both. ;-)
>
>Good luck and keep asking questions!
>
>- A Hilton