LLM generated code is like particleboard

https://so.dang.cool/blog/2023-12-30-llm-generated-code-is-like-particleboard.html

by fanf2 • 1 year ago

7 4 1 year ago

so.dang.cool

kgwgk• 1 year ago

2023-12-30

yawpitch• 1 year ago

Cheap as shit, constantly pollutes the air, useless for most applications, will inevitably turn to mush if employed for anything but superficial purposes, and nevertheless will be used everywhere it’s not appropriate?

Yeah, sounds about right.

onion2k• 1 year ago

Hand-written code is required for fine craftsmanship.

Unless you're building a code museum you shouldn't really treat any of your code as a rare artefact that you carefully crafted and honed to perfection. That way lies tech debt that you'll never clear up because you're too attached to the sunk cost of the effort you spent on that beautiful code. All code is disposable. You should be actively looking for things to delete or refactor all of the time.

If you can build your application from entirely disposable code that is a huge benefit. You can't right now, because LLMs aren't good enough, but if they ever get there this strikes me as a massively positive thing about the code they write. So many companies spend far too much time building things because the most senior engineers find it hard to let go of an idea they had 5 years ago.

GordonAShumway• 1 year ago

Exactly!

It’s about the turns.

I didn’t end up as a carpenter early in my career, but I have been FoH staff in a restaurant. Turns, or how fast you can move your tables, was the main driver in income for you and the restaurant.

LLM code is kind of the same, it speeds up how quickly you can turn over the code to adapt to whatever new biz requirements have come down the pike.

LLM generated code is like particleboard

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