>I just wish I had a good sense of what algorithms/data structures to use where. That would certainly help me a lot! But I'm just not sure I "have what it takes

>I just wish I had a good sense of what algorithms/data structures to use where. That would certainly help me a lot! But I'm just not sure I "have what it takes", if you know what I mean, to develop that skill. I wouldn't worry about it. I had a guy I mentored who couldn't code his way out of a paper bag in spite of having had a programming job for 5+ years at that point. I taught him how to program and while he did improve significantly, he realized he wasn't going to make it as a programmer. Now he works in infosec where he's largely administering software with occasional scripting type stuff. He gets to do the scripting/programming bits he likes and makes a ton of money. He's actually my boss now. There's a lot of this kind of work that I think is really rewarding. I hope you find a good fit for you.