Things like the Counter in python collections. Actually, the python collections library in general. You don't need that stuff to do the job, but it makes the co

Things like the Counter in python collections. Actually, the python collections library in general. You don't need that stuff to do the job, but it makes the code a lot clearer. It probably took a couple of months full time in python before I had enough understanding of the std lib to know where to find everything (I sat down and read through a description of most of the functions in there). There are still plenty of libraries that would have made my life easier if I knew about them. I'm sure there are plenty more. Having said all that, that's just for example. When it comes to hiring I'd still pick a good experienced developer over a specific language expert for a full time position. For me it's not so much about the understanding of a specific language as it is the appetite for understanding computers / systems in general that makes truely good developers. Ultimately the task is going to dictate the best type of hire. Short term contract, get a specific expert. Long term hire, find someone who actually enjoys developing software :)