LLM generated code is like particleboard: 2023-12-30

Jan 1, 2024 ·

Code generated by large language models, such as GPT-3, is like particleboard: it’s cheap and easy to get, but not as strong or reliable as hand-crafted code. The advantages of generated code include speed and flexibility, but the lack of control over the output quality can present a significant barrier for developers.

The main issue with generated code is that it lacks the context and understanding of a human programmer. For example, it may generate code that does the job but doesn’t have the same performance or security benefits as well-crafted code. Generated code also requires a lot of manual review to identify and fix issues.

Generated code has been used in many industries, from automatic translations to basic programming tasks. It is often used to reduce development time and cost, as well as to quickly build prototypes. While this type of code can be useful for some tasks, it may be inadequate for more complex projects.

On the other hand, human-crafted code is much more reliable. Although it takes longer to develop, it can be tailored to specific requirements and tested extensively for correctness and performance. Moreover, programmers can gain a deeper understanding of the system they are building, allowing them to make better decisions about its design.

In conclusion, generated code is like particleboard: fast and flexible, but with a lower quality than hand-crafted code. It can be valuable in certain situations, but should not be relied on for more complex projects. Instead, developers should use human-crafted code when possible for greater accuracy and reliability.