As somebody who started my software company in 2007 and stopped coding full time around 2012/2013 I'd say if you did it long enough you never lose the abstract concepts.

I understand everything my head of engineering tells me and don't need it ELI5'd. However being told it, and being asked to do it are two different things. I would be a very useful or productive coder if I went back in to the trenches.

> I would be a very useful or productive coder if I went back in to the trenches.

Would or would not?

After being in management for years I sometimes feel like I would not be, at least not without 6-12 months of doing it every day.