Software engineering is about managing complexity
This article argues that software engineering is fundamentally about managing complexity and making architectural trade-offs rather than just writing code. It suggests that while AI excels at code generation, the human role remains critical in defining system constraints and business-aligned solutions.
Why it matters
It provides a critical perspective on the evolving role of software engineers in an era where AI tools are increasingly capable of handling basic programming tasks.
There is a misunderstanding about software engineering that AI is making increasingly visible: we tend to confuse writing code with building software.
The article presents a professional philosophy on engineering management without taking a partisan stance.
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