[ynniv]

Considering the question-asker has a specific problem to solve, I would even hazard they probably aren't a programmer by trade.

So why would someone hire them to be a programmer? And yet, unlike other skilled professions, rank amateurs often present themselves as competent programmers. It would be valuable to include evidence to the contrary with résumés.

you've never been a complete novice programmer before?

I certainly wasn't hired when I was. What kind of ridiculous statement is this?

The poster is asking the wrong question. They are asking about how to manage incidental complexity, when they should be asking how to avoid inherent complexity. Incidentally complex code is the worst possible code to maintain, and you'll thank yourself for not letting contributors commit it.

[jetti]

So you rather hire somebody who has the same problem but has too much pride to ask somebody for help? Seriously, if all the questions everybody asked ever were on their resume, nobody would ever be able to get a job. At least this individual recognized that there was something wrong and sought out how to fix the problem from people with more experience then them.

[ynniv]

Meh, put a date on it. If you asked this even a couple of years ago, fine. If you asked this last month, I have a pretty good feel for where you're at. You should also learn from your questions, which would make a great interview conversation.

I've littered the net with my share of dumb questions, and I have no regrets.