Ask HK: How would a world where AI is able to write any software be?
Aug 19, 2023 - news.ycombinator.com
The article discusses the role of vision and precise specification in software development. It suggests that a significant part of software development involves determining what needs to be built and specifying it in such a way that it can be built. The article also highlights the importance of having a clear vision and being able to articulate it effectively. It cites an essay by Fred Brooks, which argues that there are various activities involved in software development, and even if coding and design time were reduced to zero, there would still be a lot of work left.
The article uses the example of building a spreadsheet in Typescript with all the features of Microsoft Excel but easier to use and without any issues. It suggests that specifying what exactly needs to be built and testing it could constitute around 40% of the work. The article concludes by suggesting that even with AI, there would still be a significant amount of work left in software development.
Key takeaways:
A significant part of software development involves determining what is to be built and specifying it in detail.
Many software projects fail due to poor vision, inadequately articulated vision, or lack of empathy for users.
Even if coding and design time is reduced to zero, there are still many different activities involved in software development that require significant work.
Testing is a crucial part of software development, often accounting for a significant portion of the work involved in a project.
