Thread

1. Schnitz · 1785984517 · focus · HN ↗

   Because people that enjoy programming for programming's sake don't want an LLM to do the programming for them - isn't it obvious? It's just like with any other hobby, people who like car racing created rules that force you to drive yourself, even though they'd get faster lap times with electronic driver aids. People who enjoy grappling created rules that force you to grapple, even though striking could win a fight faster. People that enjoy chess don't allow you to bring a computer to the chess table. The list is endless and the people that enjoy programming will create rules that force you to program, why shouldn't they? It's their hobby.

   1. draftsman · 1785994758 · focus · HN ↗

      Writing code without an LLM is akin to cooking a meal yourself, as opposed to something in between hiring a private chef and pulling a slot machine lever. When I cook a meal for myself or my loved ones, I become deeply familiar with the ingredients and the recipe. I am a good cook. Every decision, small and large, I make myself. Using feedback, I can tweak the components and the process. However, if I order food and call it my own creation, I’ll be speechless when my nut-allergic friend asks me if I used peanut oil or olive oil. And does it taste good? The end result is subjective, not binary, like your three similes. What if the food sucks? Must I now micromanage the chef? I don’t want to make them cook it again and again, hoping each time it’ll taste little more like how I want it to. I’d rather just cook it myself; I am a good cook, afterall.

      1. sharperguy · 1786011310 · focus · HN ↗

         I don't see it the same way. I see it as akin to building a machine which can do the cooking for you. There is a lot of experimentation in terms of how you can construct that machine and how you can set it up, and for some people the payoff is in exactly this process.

         1. ThunderSizzle · 1786013316 · focus · HN ↗

            That's me. I've just moved the puzzle to figuring out the CC optimal "language" and mode of working with an LLM. At the same time, I haven't lost my love/expertise... Yet.

            I explained it yesterday that it's no different than Linq powered by EF Core. You still need to understand the database and how SQL will work, or should. If you don't, you're queries will be slow and inefficient, hazardlessly oftentimes.

            LLMs are an impressive abstraction, but they are not magic...yet. or maybe it is, but you still need to figure out the incantations. Not that I like to uptick and witchcraft, so I hate that analogy.

         2. Frieren · 1786016036 · focus · HN ↗

            > I see it as akin to building a machine which can do the cooking for you.

            More like buying a microwave and frozen food. Unless you are actually training the LLMs.

      2. LunicLynx · 1786011861 · focus · HN ↗

         This is actually a great analogy. And I think it works very well. Because what llms deliver is not the exquisite dish, the carefully crafted solution.

         It’s just a solution that might scratch the itch but never fully blow you away. One time use software essentially.

         If that is good or bad remains to be seen.

      3. stevefan1999 · 1786021747 · focus · HN ↗

         Well to me using an LLM is akin to using microwave for food, and programming is getting your hands dirty in the art of cooking. I used to do the latter but the pace is too much, so I'm forced to go for the former. I still miss the days where I can cook myself
      4. jckahn · 1786022377 · focus · HN ↗

         This is a good analogy. Also I hate cooking; it feels like a chore and waste of time. Given the means, I prefer to have someone else do it for me so I can focus on more interesting things.

         1. dosisking · 1786030364 · focus · HN ↗

            LLMs are more like having someone else microwave something for you, rather than having someone else (who knows what they are doing) cook for you.
         2. sph · 1786039358 · focus · HN ↗

            If the analogy is good, does it mean AI boosters hate programming, and feel like it's a chore and waste of time? Yet they keep calling themselves programmers.

            I dislike cooking; I don't call myself a chef, nor go on cooking forums saying they're all idiots for churning butter as a hobby, and telling them they are luddite dinosaurs just because I bought myself an Instant Pot.

            1. skydhash · 1786041385 · focus · HN ↗

               And clamoring that instant pot is capable of doing the job of 10 chefs, while conveniently forgetting that chefs using the instant pot is way more useful. And then congratulating each other on new way of adjusting the temperature and timer of the instant pot.

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