Yep, the ability to construct a mental model is the most critical. If you can then keep it organized when you translate it to code, I'd say you're well-suited t

Yep, the ability to construct a mental model is the most critical. If you can then keep it organized when you translate it to code, I'd say you're well-suited to the work. I wonder how many people have this ability, especially when reading about organizations like the one that went to Appalachia to teach people in depressed areas to program.