This article comes to my mind: http://www.systems-thinking.org/dikw/dikw.htm http://www.systems-thinking.org/dikw/dikw.htm It summarizes a model of possible l

This article comes to my mind: http://www.systems-thinking.org/dikw/dikw.htm http://www.systems-thinking.org/dikw/dikw.htm It summarizes a model of possible levels of "knowledge", making a distinction of Data, Information, Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom. So in this context: API -> Information SQL join, class, OO paradigm -> Understanding Work experience -> Wisdom I believe a job interview should mainly focus on evaluating the candidate's Knowledge and Understanding, not on Data or Information. One can argue that by using Google long enough, it is possible to reach the upper levels, but that comes at a price (you would need a lot of time).