Now is the best time to write code by hand
sitebloom.ch
April 11, 2026
3 min read
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52/100
Summary
Increased reliance on large language models (LLMs) for coding may lead to a decline in programming skills among engineers. Writing code by hand is encouraged as a way to maintain and enhance coding abilities amidst the growing use of AI tools.
Key Takeaways
- Increased reliance on AI tools for coding is leading to a decline in engineers' fundamental coding skills.
- The use of large language models (LLMs) creates social pressure to produce code quickly, resulting in less hand-written code.
- Companies will continue to prioritize hiring engineers with strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of fundamentals over those who solely rely on AI for coding.
- The number of skilled engineers is expected to decrease as more individuals opt for agentic engineering, which may lead to increased competition from non-engineers in the job market.
Coverage & discussions
Hacker News · sitebloom.ch
Community discussions
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Community Sentiment
Positives
- Developing deep knowledge in a specific domain is crucial for effectively building AI-assisted software, ensuring competence in evaluating its outputs.
- Practicing coding skills can enhance overall software engineering effectiveness, especially in a landscape increasingly reliant on AI tools.
Concerns
- AI usage may lead to cognitive atrophy, diminishing critical thinking and problem-solving skills among developers who rely too heavily on automated tools.
- The argument that hand-coding skills will become more valuable as fewer developers maintain them suggests a concerning trend towards skill degradation in the industry.
