I started programming when I was 7. I'm 50 now and the thing I loved has changed
A veteran programmer reflects on 42 years of coding, from the bare metal intimacy of early machines to the profound abstractions of the AI era, describing a "fallow period" of re-evaluation. He grapples with the emotional impact of a craft transformed from direct creation to AI orchestration, challenging his professional identity. The piece deeply resonates with many experienced developers who share similar feelings of nostalgia and shifting purpose, sparking a polarized debate between those who embrace AI's power and those who mourn the changing nature of programming.
The Lowdown
James Randall, a programmer who began his journey at age seven in 1983, delves into the profound evolution of software development over four decades, focusing on how the advent of AI is fundamentally reshaping the craft he once cherished.
- Randall recounts an early era (8-bit to 486DX2-66) where computing demanded deep hardware understanding, fostering creative problem-solving and a sense of direct control over the machine.
- He observes that the subsequent "professionalization" of the industry, with abstractions like Plug and Play and Windows, gradually obscured the craft and shifted focus towards monetization.
- The author argues that AI represents a unique, non-incremental shift, changing "what it means to be good at this" from hands-on coding to directing and correcting AI models.
- While acknowledging the continued value of his accumulated judgment and systems thinking in guiding AI, he laments the compression of the intimate feedback loop and the satisfying "puzzle" aspect of coding.
- He humorously points out that younger developers, already operating high up an "abstraction tower," are only now experiencing a sense of being lost, an experience he had already processed.
- Randall describes his current state as a "fallow period," where the profession no longer provides the same satisfaction or aligns with his identity, a sentiment he suspects is common among developers over 40.
Ultimately, Randall concludes that despite embracing new tools and achieving previously unimaginable feats with AI, he is left to contemplate the emotional and professional implications of a fundamentally altered craft, learning to sit with a different kind of magic.
The Gossip
The Melancholy of the Mature Coder
Many commenters, particularly those of similar age and experience to the author, strongly identify with his feelings of nostalgia, grief, and identity crisis. They recount similar experiences of witnessing the 'magic' of programming fade as layers of abstraction grew and AI emerged. This sentiment often comes with an acknowledgement of AI's utility but a deeper, emotional void regarding the hands-on craft they once loved. Some liken it to the shift from being a coder to a manager, where direct creation is replaced by guidance.
AI: Accelerated Advancement or Artificial Agitation?
The discussion is sharply divided on the impact of AI. One camp expresses renewed excitement, claiming AI eliminates drudgery, shortens feedback loops, and allows focus on higher-level problem-solving and creative endeavors, rekindling their passion. The other camp views AI as further eroding the joy and intimacy of coding, making the work feel 'soulless' and less engaging. They worry about the devaluing of traditional coding skills and the existential threat to the profession.
The Abstraction Avalanche & Artisan's Aspiration
Commenters debate whether AI is merely the latest rung on an ever-growing ladder of abstraction or a truly unique shift. Many agree that the 'abstraction ship sailed decades ago,' and AI simply makes the pretense of understanding the full stack impossible. Analogies to industrialization (e.g., blacksmiths replaced by factories) are used to discuss the future of 'artisan' coding. Some propose maintaining personal, hands-on projects for enjoyment while leveraging AI for professional, efficiency-driven work.
Debating the Dolorous Discourse
A subset of the comments expresses fatigue with the recurring theme of 'programmers lamenting change' on HN. They argue that the author's feelings are a natural part of aging or an overreaction, suggesting he should simply adapt or embrace the tools. There's also a significant meta-discussion about whether the author used AI to write the post itself, leading to accusations of hypocrisy or disingenuousness, questioning the authenticity of the 'lament.'