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Discussion on: AI is a fad and programming is dead

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ccarcaci profile image
ccarcaci

Those that say that "software engineers will be obsolete" are the ones that think that software programmers write code 100% of their time like Matrix console.

Actually writing code is 20% decreasing to 5% of the time as a programmer gets more seniority. And it's actually the easier part.

Actually software engineers strive to have an automated tool that will ease the tasks done in the remaining 80% to 95% of the time.

Anyway, as any other technology we'll use it to be more efficient. And, as any other technology, the world will need tech savvy people that can master it.

The difficult part is: how to guarantee reliability and observability of something that, by design, we cannot check and inspect in depth?

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kyleljohnson profile image
Kyle Johnson

BTW, You are making a good argument to lower salaries of developers. LOL

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ccarcaci profile image
ccarcaci

OR... developers should be paid more because at least 80% of the time are forced to do a job they are not prepared for but they are asked to do efficiently :D

No one asks the plumber to fix the shelf in the living room. But everyone ask developers to understand and work on product specification, design, UI, UX, data management, data engineering, infra...

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tracygjg profile image
Tracy Gilmore • Edited

I absolutely agree.

Software Developers/Engineers are not paid to code. They are paid to solve business problems with code being a small part of the solution. Check out the Software Development Life Cycle.

I think the most challenging task for Software Devs is obtain a firm understanding of the problem followed by establish an in-depth awareness of the domain in which a solution has to operate. At the same time they have to keep up to date with advances in the technology stack and the latest development techniques and tooling.

As you said - coding is the easy part.

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kyleljohnson profile image
Kyle Johnson

No, no, no.

Software Developers are paid to convert solutions into software. I hate when people try to make a developer into many things. Project Manager, Business Analyst, Program Manager, etc.

When you go to school you learn how to write code with a particular language. Developers are not suppose to come up with the solutions.

Ex. I want a website that shows me all employees that live in the USA.

That is a solution to a problem of not knowing which employees live in the USA. I'm just converting that to software.

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ccarcaci profile image
ccarcaci

"solve business problems" means: the problem has been already detailed by Project Managers, Business Analysts, Program Managers, etc.
The solution has been identified too.

Developers takes the business problem definition refined, the proposed solution, challenge it on tech side and, when everything is feasible from tech side, they implement it.

From my perspective, as developer, the worst implementations are the ones where the solution has been dropped from non-tech people and devs "just" translate it into code. The resulting code will be the next problem to tackle.

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tracygjg profile image
Tracy Gilmore • Edited

Hi Kyle, On this point I think we will have to agree to disagree.

When I was taught my trade of 30+ years, which is a decade or two before you I guess, we were instructed in a variety of programming languages (not one "particular language") with a view to applying the one most appropriate to the task. I have yet to find a single language that is sufficiently generic it is appropriate for any problem.

You might argue our points of view highlight the difference between Software Developers and Software Engineers. Where (to your argument) Software Developers are employed to code/implement from a specification/design, I would argue a Software Engineer is required to understand all and deliver most of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

See: aws.amazon.com/what-is/sdlc/#:~:te...

Kind regards, Tracy

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kyleljohnson profile image
Kyle Johnson

@ccarcaci -_ "From my perspective, as developer, the worst implementations are the ones where the solution has been dropped from non-tech people and devs "just" translate it into code. The resulting code will be the next problem to tackle."

We agree

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kyleljohnson profile image
Kyle Johnson

@tracygjg - I was taught my trade 25+ years ago. :) I was taught multiple languages also. :) I was just making an example. I have a MS in Software Engineering and I would agree Engineers deliver all of the SDLC. But we shouldn't be responsible for solving problems in a non-technical sense. That's all I'm saying. That for people with MBA degrees.

Developers/Engineers should be gathering the solution requirements.

No engineering discipline comes up with the solution. We implement solutions.

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malikshehzad952 profile image
Shahzad malik

I appreciate the perspective presented in this article, although I respectfully disagree with the notion that AI is a fad and programming is dead. While it's true that AI has garnered significant attention and hype in recent years, dismissing it as a passing trend overlooks the transformative impact it has had and continues to have across various industries.

Programming, as a skill, remains as vital as ever, even in the era of AI. While AI may automate certain aspects of coding and streamline certain processes, human developers still play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and maintaining these AI systems. Furthermore, programming extends far beyond just AI, with applications in web development, software engineering, data science, and more.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the evolving relationship between AI and programming, I invite readers to explore another insightful article at readmorr.com/is-it-worth-learning-.... It provides a balanced perspective on the value of coding skills and how they intersect with emerging technologies like AI.

Rather than viewing AI as a threat to programming, I believe it offers exciting opportunities for developers to leverage its capabilities and push the boundaries of what's possible. By embracing new technologies and continuously honing our skills, we can adapt and thrive in this ever-changing technological landscape.