● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 negative
Claiming 'Code Was Never the Hard Part' Insults Programmers Amidst AI Revolution
Key points
- The statement 'code was never the hard part' is considered insulting to programmers.
- The author questions why coding was highly valued if it is easy.
- The piece challenges the idea that 'figuring out what to build' is the only hard part.
- It highlights the complexity and skill involved in software development.
The Insult to Programmers
The author addresses the common sentiment that "LLMs may be good at coding, but software was never the hard part" or "coding is easy, it's figuring out what to code that's hard." This view is characterized as a gross insult to programmers, particularly as the software development profession undergoes significant changes due to AI.
Challenging the Notion of Easy Coding
The article questions the premise that coding is easy by pointing to historical demand for programmers, high salaries, and the prevalence of stress and burnout in the profession. It also references the existence of extensive literature and educational programs dedicated to coding, such as 'Clean Code' and 'The Art of Computer Programming', as evidence of its complexity. The author also notes that if coding were easy, there would be no need for '10x ninja rockstar coders' or LeetCode interviews.
The Difficulty of 'Figuring Out What to Build'
The author also scrutinizes the counter-argument that 'figuring out what to build' is the truly difficult part. This is challenged by observing the roles and compensation of product managers, market researchers, and business analysts, who are often not as highly valued or compensated as developers. The piece suggests an inconsistency if implementation is easy but finding demand is harder, yet programmers are upset when salespeople identify genuine demand by promising new features.
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Reporting from
The author argues that the statement "coding is easy, it's figuring out what to code that's hard" is insulting to programmers. This perspective challenges the perceived ease of coding, especially in the context of AI's growing capabilities in software development.