← Sunday, October 11, 2026Practice & careersEssay

Programming fundamentals still matter as AI generates code

htmx.org 10 min read Editor score 6/10

The essay argues that programming remains valuable for problem-solving and managing complexity, while warning that code generation may deter junior developers from learning to write code. Engineering leads shaping AI-assisted development practices may find the perspective useful.

What
Programming education still matters because it teaches problem-solving with computers and managing complexity.
How
The author argues LLM-generated code is less predictable than compiler output and can add accidental complexity through poor approaches or shortcuts.
Why it matters
Engineers who can read and understand code are better equipped to control systems built with AI-generated code.

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