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I feel that the author is both right and wrong at the same time.

I'd have no problem hiring someone without C# background to write C# if they already know Java, but my gut feeling is to think twice before hiring someone to write C++ who has no previous C++ experience. Maybe it's because some languages are more unforgiving than others, I don't know.

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I don't mean to exclude the value of language experience, rather point out that just because someone doesn't know C++ doesn't mean they wouldn't be able to contribute to your team. It's more an argument against companies who won't even entertain the idea of hiring someone without X years of experience in a particular language.

When it comes down to it, most programming languages are just syntax and patterns. Most intelligent people can pick up on this. The people who are going to contribute the most to your project and company in the long term are those who love what they do and are passionate about doing a good job.

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