3 ms·

I agree about short feedback loops, but this was there long before LLMs, and got me into programming initially. I love that I could compile my program and try

I agree about short feedback loops, but this was there long before LLMs, and got me into programming initially. I love that I could compile my program and try it without needing to check it with a teacher or superior. It cost literally nothing to try, and if it failed the computer would tell you it was wrong. In a sense you are constantly bouncing off of reality (or the limits of the compiler) and that allows you to learn really quickly by experiment. LLMs with their tendency to hallucinate or just provide you with the solution seem like they could be both a blessing and a curse (for learning).

danielbln 3y ago
Providing the solution is one thing, but being able to tell you more about the solution, why it is a certain way, what other examples are, what to look out for, etc. having an infinite dialog about the problem space, that's where it really shines. Banging my head against compiler output and combing through Google to figure out _why_ it failed isn't nearly as productive, imo. Otherwise yes, hallucinations are an issue, though I find them not nearly as detrimental as I thought I would, then again I'm not learning to program, I'm merely learning new frameworks or techniques, I already have the underlying foundation and can sniff out hallucinations probably better than a total novice.