From 80s Commodore to AI Tools: How Programmers Can Stay Relevant

I still remember the moment I decided to become a programmer in 1985, when a radio played Duran Duran’s "Wild Boy" and I faced a crucial choice: a computer or a motorcycle.

At fourteen, the natural evolution for a math‑loving boy seemed to be understanding computer science, inspired by movies like War Games , while a motorcycle promised freedom and a break from the nerd stereotype.

After months of contemplation, I instinctively chose the computer. My father helped me purchase an Olivetti Prodest, though I was convinced the Commodore 64 was the better future.

Despite my youth and ignorance of programming, I argued that the Prodest was a mistake, believing the Commodore would dominate. I spent days persuading my father, eventually installing the machine with a black‑and‑white TV, receiving a game as a gift, and staying up all night fascinated yet conflicted about my new hobby.

From that point began a decades‑long journey of learning new languages, computers, operating systems, libraries, and frameworks, constantly reminding me that learning never ends.

Today as a Programmer

Being a programmer today has lost the charm of the 80s and 90s. Learning a programming language once meant securing a job; now it’s a tool to solve parts of a problem.

Programming languages are no longer destinations but merely the first step on an endless road.

This reality can discourage many young developers, leading to feelings of inadequacy and fear of not being able to handle tasks.

Choice Paradox and Performance Anxiety

Modern aspiring programmers no longer choose between a computer and a motorcycle; they must choose among dozens of languages, hundreds of frameworks, and countless career paths—frontend, backend, mobile, data science, AI, DevOps, and ever‑emerging acronyms like DevSecOps and FinOps.

As Barry Schwartz noted in The Paradox of Choice , too many options lead to decision paralysis and dissatisfaction. In programming, with over 80 active languages on Stack Overflow and new frameworks constantly emerging, this abundance creates a sense of unpreparedness and the risk of ending up in a niche market.

Therefore, developers should shift focus from technology to problem‑solving, embracing interdisciplinary learning to mitigate the paradox of choosing the “best” language.

Today's pressures include imposter syndrome amplified by platforms like GitHub, LinkedIn, and Twitter, where endless exposure to others’ work fuels self‑doubt.

Artificial Intelligence’s Impact

AI‑powered tools such as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are reshaping development. While they accelerate coding and help overcome obstacles, they risk creating a generation of programmers who know how to ask questions but not how to solve problems from first principles.

Most developers use AI coding tools, yet few fully understand how these tools generate solutions.

AI has become an indispensable daily partner for programmers, but reliance on it can increase feelings of inadequacy as developers must constantly verify generated code.

Programming will remain a 100% human profession, even a century from now code language: JavaScript（编程仍将是一项100%完全人类的职业，即使一个世纪以后，例如现在的代码语言：JavaScript。）

Bill Gates once said programming will remain a 100% human profession, emphasizing that hope persists among programmers.

How Not to Get Lost?

Despite all changes, the core of programming remains unchanged—it is not about a language, framework, or AI.

Your heart should stay curious, eager to understand and invent, without being trapped in endless repetition.

For example, the decentralized messaging app BitChat required deep knowledge of network protocols and cryptography; curiosity and determination drove its creation, but AI alone could not have conceived it without human insight.

640K ought to be enough for anybody!

Original author: Matteo Baccan Compiled by: Luo Yi Source: https://www.codemotion.com/magazine/it-careers/the-world-of-programming-has-changed-and-with-it-the-way-to-become-a-programmer

To thrive as a modern programmer, one must focus on a single goal, explore the “box” with curiosity, and be ready to read manuals—whether a physical book or the vast internet.