Agentic Coding Is a Trap
larsfaye.com
Agentic Coding Is a Trap
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Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#2Would like to see a study of brain scans during flow, manual programming, compared to code review. If the conclusion is different parts of the brain are activated, then orchestration is a separate activity entirely. Reading code is not the same as writing code.
However, the code review study needs to compare between surface scanning and reviewing long enough to get over a theoretical slough of perspective: when you assume the coding chair and are in their frame, whether the brain shifts into a different cognitive mode.
Otherwise, just stamping "Looks good to me" is likely to lead to the same atrophy. There's no critical thought, even a self-summary of the change or active questioning.
Thoughtful, deliberate code review just plain takes longer. AI can help here a lot, although it still takes over the "get into review mode" process.
Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#3This is exactly the same problem of "mechanical engineers' job is to design parts, not machine them, so we'll take training on machines out of the mech eng curriculum." Result: fresh mech eng grads do not know how to properly design parts because they have no idea how they are machined.
Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#4I've been using AI tools to brainstorm approaches and sometimes generate code, but actually doing the typing myself. That way I'm less likely to forget the mechanics and programming language over time.
Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#5Would like to see a study of brain scans during flow, manual programming, compared to code review. If the conclusion is different parts of the brain are activated, then orchestration is a separate activity entirely. Reading code is not the same as writing code. However, the code review study needs to compare between surface scanning and reviewing long enough to get over a theoretical slough of perspective: when you a…
I absolutely feel like a "different" part of my mind is loaded when seriously engineering something myself vs vibecoding+reviewing. Even the reviewing is more annoying in the latter mental context.
Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#6This is exactly the same problem of "mechanical engineers' job is to design parts, not machine them, so we'll take training on machines out of the mech eng curriculum." Result: fresh mech eng grads do not know how to properly design parts because they have no idea how they are machined.
Surely they're made on CNC machines now? (well, since the 1970s)
Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#7This is exactly the same problem of "mechanical engineers' job is to design parts, not machine them, so we'll take training on machines out of the mech eng curriculum." Result: fresh mech eng grads do not know how to properly design parts because they have no idea how they are machined.
Surely they're made on CNC machines now? (well, since the 1970s)
Doesn’t matter, if you ask for physically impossible features to cut this is something you could technically do. Or you ask for a feature that adds multiple setups to an otherwise simple part and makes it wildly expensive
Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#8[dead]
Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#9The thing is the code quality is still ultimately up to you
Nothing stopping you from iterating with the agent till the code is the exact same quality that you yourself would write
Re: Agentic Coding Is a Trap
#10This is exactly the same problem of "mechanical engineers' job is to design parts, not machine them, so we'll take training on machines out of the mech eng curriculum." Result: fresh mech eng grads do not know how to properly design parts because they have no idea how they are machined.
Surely they're made on CNC machines now? (well, since the 1970s)
The CNC doesn't know either. What usually happens is that an engineer at the CNC shop figures it out for you.
Knowing some machining still lets you design parts and assemblies that are some combination of cheaper, better, etc. This is noticeable with precision or high performance assemblies. And how many revisions are needed.