There is a whole lot to say about generative AI. LLMs generate a bunch of code, this much is certainly true. Should we celebrate that? There is a long tradition of trying to measure software development output, and most of it tells us that lines of code is a poor metric of programmer productivity. I have some thoughts.
a distinct lack of sufficient push-back to use established packages and libraries
Yes, but OTOH there is the terrible tendancy of some developers to use every package under the sun, creating integration pain. If the technical solution is well defined or simple enough (eg. add particular http headers, min/max/isEven functions), then let the agent just do it instead of pulling in a potential security risk. If it’s finicky and error prone (eg. JWTs, crypto), then use the established libraries…
Yes, but OTOH there is the terrible tendancy of some developers to use every package under the sun, creating integration pain. If the technical solution is well defined or simple enough (eg. add particular http headers, min/max/isEven functions), then let the agent just do it instead of pulling in a potential security risk. If it’s finicky and error prone (eg. JWTs, crypto), then use the established libraries…