If you are talking about becoming competent professional programmers, it absolutely can be learned, but "days" is laughably inaccurate. I've often had the task

If you are talking about becoming competent professional programmers, it absolutely can be learned, but "days" is laughably inaccurate. I've often had the task of guiding phd's in making the transition. In my experience, the most motivated ones can do it in six months, but most take a year or two (or never get there). ymmv, of course.