Do Programmers Always Write Their Own Code From Scratch?

The oft-asked question among beginners is whether all programmers develop their software from scratch. In reality, the vast majority of modern programming projects integrate and build upon pre-existing code, libraries, and frameworks. This practice is not only efficient but also essential in the fast-evolving technological landscape.

Reusing Code Improves Efficiency and Quality

When working for a storage vendor, I was responsible for sending a system-level application to a customer. The management was particularly cautious about any potential copyright infringements. In this scenario, the team had to rely on pre-existing code and libraries to ensure the project met the necessary standards without legal risks.

The software development process is increasingly focused on identifying pre-written packages that can handle a significant portion of the required functionality. For instance, a modern programmer might use a data science package that already contains thousands of lines of code, rather than reinventing the wheel. Developing a comprehensive package from scratch would be both time-consuming and tedious.

Understanding and Utilizing Existing Libraries

Moreover, the task is not merely about finding the right libraries but also understanding how to utilize them effectively. Take, for example, a situation where I had to analyze a large amount of image-related data. The initial steps involved loading in a set of data science packages that could handle various operations. These packages, while complex, provided a foundation that greatly reduced development time and allowed the program to perform specific tasks more efficiently.

The key step was to spend time learning how to integrate and utilize these libraries. Fortunately, numerous online resources, tutorials, and communities are available to assist programmers in mastering these tools.

The Role of AI in Modern Programming

The future of programming may see even greater reliance on automation. I recently experimented with an AI coding assistant that could generate much of the code based on my initial instructions. For a 200-line program aimed at evaluating image data, the AI generated a surprisingly passable version of what I described, complete with example code. This demonstrates the growing potential of AI in automated code generation.

Moreover, in the foreseeable future, programmers might merely describe their requirements in broad terms, and an AI could handle the entire coding process. This trend highlights the significant evolution in how programmers approach software development. By leveraging existing code and AI assistance, developers can focus more on the broader aspects of project management and innovation.

Thus, the answer to the question is that while individual programmers may write their own code, they frequently depend on pre-written code, libraries, and AI assistance to achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively.