The speaker advocates for the revival of code generation as a reliable programming technique that aligns with the principles of K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) and D.R.Y. (Don’t Repeat Yourself), emphasizing its advantages over complex abstractions like inheritance. He encourages developers to explore traditional code generation methods and resources to enhance code readability, reduce bugs, and simplify the programming process.
In the video, the speaker discusses a valuable programming technique that has fallen out of favor: code generation. He emphasizes the importance of two key programming principles: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) and D.R.Y. (Don’t Repeat Yourself). K.I.S.S. advocates for straightforward and simple code to enhance understanding and debugging, while D.R.Y. encourages avoiding code duplication to streamline updates and reduce bugs. However, as developers try to adhere to these principles, they often resort to complex abstractions like inheritance, which can complicate debugging and lead to less readable code.
The speaker introduces code generation as a solution to the challenges posed by these principles. Unlike modern AI-driven code generation tools, which can produce unreliable code, traditional code generation techniques are reliable and applicable across various programming situations. He shares his experience as a computer professional with 35 years in the field and expresses a desire to reduce the number of bugs on the internet. He notes that many contemporary developers are unfamiliar with code generation, which was once a common practice.
Reflecting on the evolution of programming, the speaker points out that earlier programming languages required a lot of boilerplate code, making code generation particularly useful. In the past, developers often wrote scripts in text manipulation languages like Perl to generate repetitive code, saving time and effort. While modern languages have reduced the need for boilerplate, the speaker argues that code generation remains relevant and beneficial beyond just generating getters and setters.
He highlights the advantages of code generation over complex language features like macros, particularly in terms of debugging and understanding code. Code generation allows developers to work in their preferred programming language while maintaining clarity in the codebase. The speaker suggests that instead of relying on inheritance or other convoluted methods to eliminate code duplication, developers should consider creating template files and using configuration files to generate code dynamically.
To further explore code generation, the speaker recommends resources such as the original edition of “The Pragmatic Programmer,” which includes a chapter on code generation that was omitted in the 20th-anniversary edition. He also mentions “Code Generation In Action” by Jack Harrington as a comprehensive resource. Additionally, he points out open-source libraries like Yellicode and Telosys as potential tools for those interested in implementing code generation. Ultimately, the speaker encourages developers to embrace code generation as a powerful tool that enhances code readability, reduces bugs, and simplifies the programming process.