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Learning Programming in an Age of LLMs

263 points · 195 comments · moneroloop2018

  1. js8 · · focus · HN ↗
    I answered this to myself - stop worrying about LLMs. It's pretty simple: due to Curry-Howard isomorphism, programming languages are just notations for some type of formal logic.

    Now ask yourself a question, what language do you want to maintain the programs in? Do you think natural language is going to be easier and more maintainable than formal logic?

    The answer is no. So you need programmers, people who can read the formal description and adapt it to new requirements.

    LLMs are amazing technology, but the truth is - natural language just kinda sucks. Therefore, you don&#x27;t really need them (see also <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;AI_effect" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;AI_effect ).

    I think people love LLMs for the same reasons they love magicians. But just like the magician employs a hidden trick, LLM just runs some algorithm you don&#x27;t see or understand.

    So worrying about LLMs taking programming job is kinda like worrying that a magician will take a warehouse worker job, because they can levitate stuff. Meanwhile, we already have automated programmer - it&#x27;s called a compiler.

    1. ds_opseeker · · focus · HN ↗
      re: natural language sucks.

      prof.dr.Edsger W.Dijkstra&#x27;s views: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.cs.utexas.edu&#x2F;~EWD&#x2F;transcriptions&#x2F;EWD06xx&#x2F;EWD667.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.cs.utexas.edu&#x2F;~EWD&#x2F;transcriptions&#x2F;EWD06xx&#x2F;EWD667...

      I humbly add my own.

      Natural language is valuable for the things it doesn&#x27;t say. The ambiguity is core to the functionality. Which can be very helpful when navigating social complexities.

      And then written language is also valuable for the things IT doesn&#x27;t say. Under the theory that 90% of communication is non-verbal, then writing lets you say things without having to communicate that other 90%. Which can be very helpful when negotiating something, for example.

      1. 1718627440 · · focus · HN ↗
        I wanted to bookmark this essay, only to find out I already had! Thanks.
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