Unfortunately I have started to feel that using AI to code - even with a well designed spec, ends up with code that; in the authors words, looks like
> [Agents write] units of changes that look good in isolation.
I have only been using agents for coding end-to-end for a few months now, but I think I've started to realise why the output doesn't feel that great to me.
Like you said; "it's my job" to create a well designed code base.
Without writing the code myself however, without feeling the rough edges of the abstractions I've written, without getting a sense of how things should change to make the code better architected, I just don't know how to make it better.
I've always worked in smaller increments, creating the small piece I know I need and then building on top of that. That process highlights the rough edges, the inconsistent abstractions, and that leads to a better codebase.
AI (it seems) decides on a direction and then writes 100s of LOC at one. It doesn't need to build abstractions because it can write the same piece of code a thousand times without caring.
I write one function at a time, and as soon I try to use it in a different context I realise a better abstraction. The AI just writes another function with 90% similar code.
> [Agents write] units of changes that look good in isolation.
I have only been using agents for coding end-to-end for a few months now, but I think I've started to realise why the output doesn't feel that great to me.
Like you said; "it's my job" to create a well designed code base.
Without writing the code myself however, without feeling the rough edges of the abstractions I've written, without getting a sense of how things should change to make the code better architected, I just don't know how to make it better.
I've always worked in smaller increments, creating the small piece I know I need and then building on top of that. That process highlights the rough edges, the inconsistent abstractions, and that leads to a better codebase.
AI (it seems) decides on a direction and then writes 100s of LOC at one. It doesn't need to build abstractions because it can write the same piece of code a thousand times without caring.
I write one function at a time, and as soon I try to use it in a different context I realise a better abstraction. The AI just writes another function with 90% similar code.