I can compile the code.
I can do little things (and have), but I don't know how to create special abilities or finish the magic system.
I don't know how to fix the bugs, either. But, I'm not a C++ programmer.
It is not wasted on me to think that if I had started teaching myself C++ (well, I do know a little bit) and taken a class or two when I started with DC, I would have been programming for 6 or 7 years and quite possibly would know how to do the above.