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November 8th, 2024

Choose Boring Technology and LLMs

The author favors reliable technologies like relational databases and programming languages while embracing accessible large language models, sharing resources for learning and inviting connections as a software consultant.

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Choose Boring Technology and LLMs

The article discusses the author's preference for "boring" technology, such as relational databases and established programming languages, while also embracing the rapid advancements in large language models (LLMs). The author highlights the accessibility of LLMs, allowing anyone to engage in prompt engineering and develop digital products. They emphasize their approach of focusing on simple, reliable technologies like Go and SQLite, while selectively using cloud services for specific needs. The author expresses excitement about learning to integrate LLMs into applications, covering topics like prompt engineering and multi-modality. They also share resources for further learning, including writings by Simon Willison, a new book on prompt engineering, and free video courses on LLMs and neural networks. The author identifies as a professional software consultant and developer, inviting readers to connect through various platforms.

- The author prefers established, reliable technologies over complex, trendy software.

- LLMs are seen as accessible tools for anyone interested in prompt engineering.

- The author focuses on integrating LLMs into applications while using simple technologies.

- Resources for learning about LLMs and prompt engineering are provided.

- The author identifies as a professional software consultant and developer.

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Link Icon 14 comments
By @awongh - 7 days
One other connection between these two is the fact that for AI assisted coding you can only get the AI to write you code that has broad adoption on the internet. Otherwise the AI doesn’t know the standard libraries and conventions.

I worry overall that this could signal the complete end of new programming languages except in a few special cases. (Which I think was already a worrying trend before AI- see Bret Victor’s “The Future of Programming” talk).

By @shreddit - 7 days
So choose boring technology (as in old and tested) and... new technology? He likes to use SQLLite, but also S3? So all technologies. Thanks, i guess?
By @never_inline - 7 days
The larger point is that by keeping non-strategic part of your tech stack boring, you can focus on core innovative technology. In this guy's case it's LLM.

Which is same point that the original post "choose boring technology" makes. I don't see the contradiction.

By @qbonnard - 7 days
Agreed, especially for "serious" project, where LLMs are a good approximation of an average dev that could easily increase your bus factor.

On the other hand, this could be the same slippery slope that starts at "choose a boring project because it has mature tooling" but ends at "IDE's are a language smell". If the language is so boring that you can't focus on it without an LLM doing the menial work, that could be because there is too much menial work to start with.

By @markusw - 7 days
Hey everyone! Author here. Just saw a lot of traffic from HN. I'm happy to answer questions. :-)
By @thih9 - 7 days
How does it work with mainstream technologies that are being actively developed?

Did anyone try working with LLMs and Swift for example? Is the AI suggesting deprecated libraries from earlier iOS versions / generally having trouble? Or is it working fine?

By @Gooblebrai - 7 days
I guess Go is quite fine for his use cases, but I suppose if suddenly he had to delve into more frontend-focused apps or AI development, he would be forced to use Javascript and Python.
By @Havoc - 7 days
I’d say it’s more being deliberate about how much new tech you incorporate into new projects. One small and ideally isolated new piece in each project is a good idea else you’ll stagnate
By @eichi - 7 days
And boring areas of enterprise or professional world with boring classical techniques for software engineering while applying LLMs. I see a lot of potentials.
By @Mystery-Machine - 7 days
That's why I like to use Ruby on Rails.
By @threeseed - 7 days
Here we go again.

Choose boring technology aka pick the technologies I think are the best.

By @sna1l - 7 days
is this satire?