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This is a series called Arthur In My Inbox, where I share my experience from the perspective of Arthur.
Arthur is an anonymous software developer.
Dear Fee,
Recently, I saw a YouTube comment that made me a bit sad (not verbatim)
"I want to learn to code, but what's the point because LLMs can build something I spend 10 hours building in 10 minutes."
It’s sad to see newcomers discouraged from learning a valuable and fun skill because of the propaganda.
That comment is a valid concern.
No human being wants to waste time.
But it has two underlying assumptions that are wrong
LLMs give the same output regardless of the person who uses them
Learning to code means that somehow you are forbidden to use LLMs
There is this sentiment or common saying these days (I don't really know who populates it) that says, “LLMs can write code. It means that everyone can code now.”
It's like saying:
Everyone can play games so everyone can be a professional esports player.
Everyone can write so everyone can be an author.
There are levels to the game.
I have said this and I will say it again.
A developer will always produce better output than a vibe coder with AI coding just because he actually knows what he is doing.
He can guide the AI in a better direction and correct it when it makes a mistake.
Which brings us to the second point: learning to code/ wanting to be a better dev doesn't mean you are forbidden to use AI.
I believe AI could increase output if used correctly.
But I also think that relying on AI to code makes me a worse developer over time.
So I deliberately don’t use AI when I want to learn or have fun.
People saying there is no point in coding by hand anymore…
is like saying marathoners should never run because there are cars.
No shit, it’s called practicing.
Sorry for the rant.
Regards,
Arthur
