> There is very little all programmers should be required to have in common.

We don't need to say "all must know X things" in order to convey a notion of a well-rounded programmer. Of course we don't have to agree. Still, generally speaking, I think the bare minimum is this: the ability to solve your problems with the languages and tools you know in a reasonable amount of time.

But that doesn't say much, so any list needs to get more specific:

* ability to use your tools * ability to decompose a problem * ability to debug a problem * ability to communicate intent via code * ability to communicate intent via language