Navigating the New Era of AI-Assisted Programming
In 1991, Larry Wall outlined three virtues for programmers: laziness, impatience, and hubris. While these traits fueled traditional coding, they may now be outdated in the age of AI.
Shifting Perspective on Coding:
- Laziness & Impatience: Embrace AI tools to automate tedious tasks.
- Hubris: Cultivate the confidence to tackle problems directly.
However, the reliance on AI introduces “slot-machine coding”—continuously seeking instant solutions rather than deeply engaging with the problem. This often leads to distractions and inefficiencies.
Emerging Virtues for AI Programming:
- Obsession: Stay mentally engaged; don’t passively rely on AI.
- Impatience: Take action when AI falls short—don’t get stuck waiting.
- Suspicion: Vet AI outputs thoroughly; they often require human oversight.
As we transition into this hybrid landscape of coding, remember: the best AI-assisted engineers blend human insight with machine efficiency.
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