[Travis]

Gotcha. It's more of a signaling mechanism, rather than a generic way to identify coders at an early stage.

What do you identify with programming potential outside of a hiring context? I've been working with my friends to get them programming (it's the single most valuable skill a person can have in this age). I know that I can help them most by identifying their positive traits (and just pointing these out can reinforce those traits). So what do you think I should look for and "amplify"?

[SHOwnsYou]

Before you start trying to get your friends to learn how to program, make sure they are interested in it first.

I know several people that got into programming, hated it, but stayed involved anyway solely for the money -- They rarely like their jobs.

With that out of the way, I think the two most important traits are curiousity and good problem solving skills.