Why Write Code in 2026
The author argues that software engineers should continue to write code manually despite the rise of AI agents. They contend that direct interaction with code is essential for understanding system architecture, fragility, and debugging complex issues.
Why it matters
This addresses the evolving role of human developers in an era of increasing AI automation and the potential loss of deep technical expertise.
It’s our job to build the software factory - not just the software. Software engineers maintain the assembly line allowing anyone to prompt for a change and ship immediately.
The article presents a professional opinion on software engineering philosophy without partisan bias.
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