AI coding assistants promise speed, but do they deliver? Explore data, developer insights, and security risks showing why AI feels faster but often slows production. Learn where tools like Cursor and Claude Code help, and where they fail.
so what is it then? i used llms to write the code for a feature complete desktop screen dimming application. did i produce it, if not develop it? am i just a… logic guide? legitimately asking because the program works better than any available alternative
You’re dictating to and micromanaging an algorithm. Cringe individuals would refer to themselves as “Prompt Engineers” or something like that.
Instead of actually writing the code and understanding what each function actually does, you’re basically just skimming whatever the output is. You’re not gaining experience in programming by doing that and you may not be aware of what exactly everything does. Could be harmless until something unexpected starts causing issues.
For your specific case, an LLM seems completely overkill. I’ve also setup my desktop monitors to change brightness via a couple keyboard shortcuts using ControlMyMonitor and AutoHotkey. It’s like 10 lines of code.
my program is significantly better than either of those options, including fully functional hotkeys, hybrid gamma/overlay brightness logic, hdr detection, quicktray shortcut slider, a complete scheduling system, window behavior/startup options, and an attractive dark interface all in a tiny window.
and i did it in only 3 days.
overkill? good, cuz i got the software i needed without knowing how to code in only 3 days.
also, I’ve learned a ton about programming logic and code structure. it’s hard to tell an llm to do something you yourself don’t understand. at least if you want to build anything complex.
Is it though? Sure he could hire a programmer, but Claude is far less expensive. I agree with his position, he’s a project/product manager, not a programmer. And that’s okay sometimes.
You’re right, I apologize, it’s really 3 lines of code repeated over and over. It’s repeated for each monitor/action (brighten/dimming) being performed. The script file it technically 47 lines because I have 3 monitors and 10 different shortcuts.
Here’s the first action for the first monitor. Just edit the name and the brightness amount and voilà. The comment inline code formatting might put it on one line.
To be honest, I hesitate to even consider this example programming. The only thing it’s doing is executing a single command when a key combination is pressed. It doesn’t require really any programming experience. No loops, variables, scope, no time complexity, nothing.
Using an AI robbed them of learning even the smallest of concepts and they have not grown as a result.
It’s the same thing with any other concept; I don’t need to dedicate my life being an auto mechanic, but I should at least be able to know how to change a tire when I need to.
I see myself as a project manager and executive producer. I know I don’t write that code, and I couldn’t even if I tried.
But I am skilled at directing and verifying, and this has allowed me to create (not code) a fairly complex WordPress plugin for course bookings with online card payment processing etc.
I have made a few manual tweaks here and there but that code is 98% Claude. And you know what? It works. That is good enough for me.
There is no paradox. vibe coding = not writing code = not being a programmer.
so what is it then? i used llms to write the code for a feature complete desktop screen dimming application. did i produce it, if not develop it? am i just a… logic guide? legitimately asking because the program works better than any available alternative
You’re dictating to and micromanaging an algorithm. Cringe individuals would refer to themselves as “Prompt Engineers” or something like that.
Instead of actually writing the code and understanding what each function actually does, you’re basically just skimming whatever the output is. You’re not gaining experience in programming by doing that and you may not be aware of what exactly everything does. Could be harmless until something unexpected starts causing issues.
For your specific case, an LLM seems completely overkill. I’ve also setup my desktop monitors to change brightness via a couple keyboard shortcuts using ControlMyMonitor and AutoHotkey. It’s like 10 lines of code.
my program is significantly better than either of those options, including fully functional hotkeys, hybrid gamma/overlay brightness logic, hdr detection, quicktray shortcut slider, a complete scheduling system, window behavior/startup options, and an attractive dark interface all in a tiny window.
and i did it in only 3 days. overkill? good, cuz i got the software i needed without knowing how to code in only 3 days. also, I’ve learned a ton about programming logic and code structure. it’s hard to tell an llm to do something you yourself don’t understand. at least if you want to build anything complex.
Is it though? Sure he could hire a programmer, but Claude is far less expensive. I agree with his position, he’s a project/product manager, not a programmer. And that’s okay sometimes.
You’re right, I apologize, it’s really 3 lines of code repeated over and over. It’s repeated for each monitor/action (brighten/dimming) being performed. The script file it technically 47 lines because I have 3 monitors and 10 different shortcuts.
Here’s the first action for the first monitor. Just edit the name and the brightness amount and voilà. The comment inline code formatting might put it on one line.
^!+PgUp:: Run, D:\Programs\ControlMyMonitor\ControlMyMonitor.exe /ChangeValue "MSI G274QPF" 10 20 returnTo be honest, I hesitate to even consider this example programming. The only thing it’s doing is executing a single command when a key combination is pressed. It doesn’t require really any programming experience. No loops, variables, scope, no time complexity, nothing.
Using an AI robbed them of learning even the smallest of concepts and they have not grown as a result.
It’s the same thing with any other concept; I don’t need to dedicate my life being an auto mechanic, but I should at least be able to know how to change a tire when I need to.
I see myself as a project manager and executive producer. I know I don’t write that code, and I couldn’t even if I tried.
But I am skilled at directing and verifying, and this has allowed me to create (not code) a fairly complex WordPress plugin for course bookings with online card payment processing etc.
I have made a few manual tweaks here and there but that code is 98% Claude. And you know what? It works. That is good enough for me.