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How bad is the software engineering job today? (lemmy.world)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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I have been reading a lot that 90% of their code is AI generated, companies are pushing developers to use AI as it makes them fast. But I am a little cautious of believing them. Is it true? Also sorry I didn't find a css career subreddit so I am asking here.

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[โ€“] 4 points 5 months ago (9 children)

Its always fascinating that most devs aren't more frustrated about the wholesale theft of their jobs and things code produced.

Doubly so when it's all done with the intention of making you obsolete

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  • [โ€“] 4 points 5 months ago (4 children)

    Linters have existed for a long time. They were the original AI that generated code. Using AI to supplement work in a similar manner isn't replacing devs. Being able to search for answers like one would Google only not needing to leave your IDE and having it be semi context aware is not what's replacing devs. Trash like Claude code and people that are generating entire dogshit apps is what's replacing devs. I'm not defending the latter, just explaining the "centrist" approach to using AI.

    In general, I hate AI. I wish it would all go away, but it's not going to. If every other dev is using AI in their workflow and you aren't, you're falling behind in production, which in the business world is the only thing that matters, or you're a great dev and don't make mistakes where searching Claude for answers is faster than searching the web.

    If you don't like AI tools, then don't use them. While it's there and a sunk cost, I'm going to use it for help when I need it. I can still be critical of it but understand it's here to stay, so I adapt.

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  • [โ€“] 1 point 5 months ago (3 children)

    Linters have existed for a long time. They were the original AI that generated code. Using AI to supplement work in a similar manner isn't replacing devs.

    So I'vw never used a linter that generates code. I've used them to enforce code styles but never to generate code. And code generation isn't really the point there.

    Second. AI isn't replacing devs? The massive layoffs in the tech sector would disagree. Its also not "dogshit apps". Google claims 90% of their code is generated and Microsoft claims 30% both come coupled with massive layoffs. To be fair Microsoft is kinda dogshit and Google search sucks now. But googles apps remain higher quality.

    If the centrist argument is just to shrug and say "I guess we're stuck with it". I guess I'd say you aren't a centrist and are a tacit supporter of ai.

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  • [โ€“] 2 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    I didn't say AI isn't replacing devs. I specifically mentioned stuff like Claude code and people that generate complete apps from AI. That work is dog shit. Using it as a glorified search engine is not the same thing. You're strawmaning this argument by selectively picking words without context from my response. Debate in good faith or don't respond.

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  • [โ€“] 1 point 5 months ago (1 child)

    Its not like you can have one without the other. But I've found that people demanding responses in "good faith" are rarely engaged in it themselves.

    The comment you reaponsed to asked why you aren't more angry about it. And you responded in support, without any reason why you wouldn't be mad, and also that it was only taking "bad" jobs.

    But I specifically mentioned work at microsoft and Google which aren't "dog shit".

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  • [โ€“] 0 points 5 months ago

    You never asked why I'm not more angry. You stated that you don't understand why people aren't more angry. I also didn't say that it's taking bad jobs, I'm saying people that use it to generate full and or complex apps are creating dog shit work. The product is what's bad.

    But even had I said they were bad jobs, I'd argue that both MS and Google are consistently releasing new and worse software specifically thanks to AI making them dog shit. I'd sooner work for Google than MS, but only by a cunt hair.

    To address more my anger at AI... The part I hate most is the environmental impact. The water consumption, the power consumption and all of the fallout that comes with that. I hate that it has skyrocketed the cost of computer parts. I hate the people at the top running this whole thing. I also hate that companies are so short sighted that they are trying to replace devs with AI.

    I can only get angry at so many things and these days there's a lot to choose from. Yes I'm angry that it's taking jobs, but of everything AI, that's like my 5th concern. I can't stop the tech from being developed and even if every professional dev tried to protest by not using it, it would still be coming because companies are stupid and going to keep throwing money at it. Like is said, my usage of it is extremely light and nothing I do is dependent on it.

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  • [โ€“] 4 points 5 months ago* (3 children)

    I'm frustrated with the fact that AI is replacing a lot of junior positions, and with people that use it to fully automate tasks. It does not bode well for the future of the industry.

    I'm not a junior dev though, and I use AI as a tool, which is what it is, to plan changes, search for potential issues while I check something else, then review their output and so on. The premise is that I do understand our code very well, and that I know exactly what must be done when proposing changes. It helps me autocomplete while I write, check hard to find docs or write/format doc pages. I always search for actual real sources before committing anything.

    It's a tool, it would be crazy to keep using a hatchet because chainsaws sometimes injure people. With proper training and knowledge a chainsaw helps you work faster.

    Now, there was no LLM when I was a junior Dev so I acknowledge that my position is a bit of "f u I got mine", but we can't deny that it's a very useful tool that helps in coding

    Still completely against and very frustrated with the full automation and erasure of junior positions though. It won't affect me that much personally, but the industry will hurt, individuals will suffer and that's horrible.

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  • [โ€“] 4 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    You're right. That is a very "fuck you got mine" position to take.

    I will say I have 3 friends, all senior devs. 2 got laid off this month. It doesn't affect you until it does.

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  • [โ€“] 3 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    I'm not taking that position, I'm taking the position of acknowledging how badly it is being used while also taking point on how useful for Devs it is. I was acknowledging the position I am in due to my life in coding work, to give proper context.

    You are in an Australian server, I didn't know that the American AI Dev erasure craze had expanded there, it definitely is affective the Spanish junior positions, but in my data engineering sector, senior positions are permanently lacking.

    In any case, I'm sorry for your friends, but I'd be surprised if they don't find another job fast. Job offers in my country for senior positions have not been reduced, and given that junior positions are being reduced and seniors eventually retire, I don't see enough reduction to fill the vacuum that the lack of junior is going to create in senior fields.

    Mind you, I'm not saying this to say I don't care, it's actually the opposite. I'm saying this to say that I care even though I don't think it will affect me personally in a risk my paycheck kinda way.

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