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I started programming when I was 7. I'm 50 now and the thing I loved has changed
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Overview
James Randall began programming at the age of seven in 1983 using BASIC on a low-power machine. He reflects on how the relationship between intention and result in programming has evolved over the past 42 years with advancements in technology.
Summary from jamesdrandall.com.
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Hacker News · jamesdrandall.com
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Based on 5 sampled comments from this thread. Analyzed 2026-02-10.
- Praise: AI is enabling developers to create projects they couldn't previously due to time constraints, enhancing productivity and creativity.
- Praise: Experienced developers are rediscovering the joy of coding through AI tools, which are rekindling their initial passion for programming.
- Praise: The quality of AI-generated code reflects the skill of the developer using it, suggesting that experienced developers can leverage AI effectively.
- Concern: Some developers feel that the magic of coding has changed with AI, leading to a sense of loss regarding their previous experiences.
- Concern: There is a divide among senior developers, with some lamenting the changes brought by AI rather than embracing the new possibilities.