I think the joke is this person is actually very good at programming but has no idea what they are socially expected to do for these alleged tests of programmin

I think the joke is this person is actually very good at programming but has no idea what they are socially expected to do for these alleged tests of programming skill, so approaches it earnestly as a programming challenge instead of a “regurgitate the standard answer as if you are inventing it on the spot” performance. [edit] it’s also connected to folk and religious tales that feature someone so wise that they basically no longer understand how to be mediocre or how to care about things that do not matter to the wise, often to the consternation of those around them. “Here’s the excellent white steed I told you about”; “uh… this horse is dappled brown”; “Hm? Oh, I’m not sure about that.”; “… you said this guy’s a horse expert, right?”; (but of course it does turn out to be a superb horse). That sort of thing.