(warning: some pretty broad generalizations ahead) From what I've seen, it depends on the area in which you want to program. The areas that fetishize the new (

(warning: some pretty broad generalizations ahead) From what I've seen, it depends on the area in which you want to program. The areas that fetishize the new (for being new) have a tendency to dislike experienced/older people. Particularly noticeable amongst web frontend people I've worked with. In places with deep domain voodoo or that fetishize the better (systems, networking, and so on) old is not a barrier, and experience is valued. As for ridiculous questions about apis... I have done well for myself by answering those types of questions with things like: "my ide does that, so I don't know" and "who cares?" -- sure I've "lost out" on a few code monkey jobs, but instead I've had some pretty cool stuff to work on.