In the end there will be "software writers" and "software designers." Same difference as "jumper knitter" and "jumper designer." One is a delightful craft, the other is a profession.

It's great to have a competition in software writing.

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gib444 20 hours ago | parent [-]

> In the end there will be "software writers" and "software designers."

We already have a distinction between people who define and design software and people who implement it. Product owners, UX designers, business analysts, solution architects etc

Perhaps you can expand?

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mekkkkkk 19 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I'm saying that the "implementation" step will look very different or disappear altogether. Defining the software in specs, tests or through diagrams will be the primary language for these designers. Not TypeScript or C#. The writing part will evaporate.

That might overlap with some existing role, for sure.

My main point is that hand written (or even hand reviewed) code will be a curiosity. Like a hand knitted jumper. Only viable in markets as a niche/specialized product.

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zmgsabst 19 hours ago | parent [-]

Is there a better way to write specs and tests than a language like Typescript?

Also, you vastly underestimate the number of manual steps in consumer goods today.

	▲	mekkkkkk 17 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I'd believe so, yes. Some sort of UML-like spec of systems perhaps. Something that requires very little syntax and is universally applicable. The argument doesn't rest on this, though. The point is high level specs and none of the classical implementation. Like ordering a system from an off-shore codeshop.

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gavmor 19 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I'm not sure I trust those of my colleagues trained in UX to cohesively encapsulate and de-couple code modules. I certainly can't trust Claude/GPT to.

Then again, I'm not sure it's necessary; so many highly productive programmers seem to dispense with much of that, too. Maybe, in this age of frameworks and libraries, all the patterns are adequately baked in and I needn't worry about refactoring or software design. Hard habit to shake, though.