“Code was never the hard part” is an insult to all programmers
blog.senko.net
August 8, 2026
7 min read
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74/100
Summary
The software development profession is undergoing significant changes due to the AI revolution. Many believe that while large language models (LLMs) can generate code, the true challenge in programming lies in understanding what needs to be coded.
Key Takeaways
- The assertion that "coding is easy" undermines the complexity and skill involved in software development, as evidenced by the high demand and salaries for programmers.
- Many programmers experience stress and burnout, indicating that coding is not a trivial task despite claims that it is easy.
- The article argues that if understanding what to build is the hard part, then roles like product managers and market researchers should be valued more highly in the software development process.
- There is a disconnect between the perception of coding as simple and the reality of the challenges programmers face, including dealing with stakeholder demands and software bugs.
Coverage & discussions
Hacker News · blog.senko.net
Community discussions
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The discussion highlights that programming is high-leverage work, suggesting that even seemingly trivial coding can create immense economic value, which is a testament to the skill involved.
- Many commenters agree that AI coding tools can significantly boost productivity, allowing developers to achieve results they couldn't before, even if it requires new management skills.
Concerns
- There's a strong sense that the rise of AI coding tools may lead to a drop in code quality, with concerns about security issues and mismatched requirements becoming more prevalent.
- Commenters point out that the oversimplification of coding as easy undermines the complexities involved, especially in ensuring that the code meets real-world requirements and customer needs.
