You could extend that argument to any tool used by the developer, like a linter, sanitizer, the IDE itself, or even auto-completion. Why target LLMs specifically?
The more I think about it, the more nonsensical it is.
- What if I do everything by hand, but have an LLM review my work at the very end?
- What if I have an LLM guide me through the codebase just by specifying the files I should read and in what order, but I do all the reading myself?
- What if I do everything by hand, but then use an LLM to optimize a small part of an algorithm?
You can easily see how absurd it is to completely ban LLMs.
What matters is the quality and correctness of the contribution. Even with heavy LLM usage, unless the developer understands what problem they're solving, the quality will be sub-par.
I think you’re missing the underlying point. The Zig team is focused on the contributor and their relationship to the project, not on the correctness of the work. People, not product. Yes, an LLM can help you better understand your code and pick up on things you may have missed before you submit your change. But I think they look at it as you’ve then robbed the Zig team of that interaction with the contributor. They lost the opportunity to learn about how that person thinks, and that person lost the opportunity to be mentored and learn from other members of the Zig team. Sure, your code is better, but did you or the team grow from the experience or simply churn out more code?
I’m not saying whether or not that’s good or bad. I agree with their approach, but that’s just my opinion and who am I to say what’s right or wrong? I think there’s value to LLMs as a tool to search and learn, but I’m also worried that LLMs make it really easy to focus on only the result and not the process. That process can be really valuable in building good teams, while LLMs can be really good at churning out an assembly line of code.
My claim that LLMs can benefit the end product and create quality contributions does not imply that the person behind the contribution is less capable/creative/smart than someone who doesn't use LLMs.
But it seems that the Zig policy implies that. Otherwise what would be wrong with interacting with contributors using LLMs?
You could extend that argument to any tool used by the developer, like a linter, sanitizer, the IDE itself, or even auto-completion. Why target LLMs specifically?
The more I think about it, the more nonsensical it is. - What if I do everything by hand, but have an LLM review my work at the very end? - What if I have an LLM guide me through the codebase just by specifying the files I should read and in what order, but I do all the reading myself? - What if I do everything by hand, but then use an LLM to optimize a small part of an algorithm?
You can easily see how absurd it is to completely ban LLMs.
What matters is the quality and correctness of the contribution. Even with heavy LLM usage, unless the developer understands what problem they're solving, the quality will be sub-par.
linter, sanitizer, the IDE itself, or even auto-completion
unlike LLMs, those are deterministic. the IDE doesn't even change the code. auto-completion only has a problem if it is done with AI.
I think you’re missing the underlying point. The Zig team is focused on the contributor and their relationship to the project, not on the correctness of the work. People, not product. Yes, an LLM can help you better understand your code and pick up on things you may have missed before you submit your change. But I think they look at it as you’ve then robbed the Zig team of that interaction with the contributor. They lost the opportunity to learn about how that person thinks, and that person lost the opportunity to be mentored and learn from other members of the Zig team. Sure, your code is better, but did you or the team grow from the experience or simply churn out more code?
I’m not saying whether or not that’s good or bad. I agree with their approach, but that’s just my opinion and who am I to say what’s right or wrong? I think there’s value to LLMs as a tool to search and learn, but I’m also worried that LLMs make it really easy to focus on only the result and not the process. That process can be really valuable in building good teams, while LLMs can be really good at churning out an assembly line of code.
My claim that LLMs can benefit the end product and create quality contributions does not imply that the person behind the contribution is less capable/creative/smart than someone who doesn't use LLMs.
But it seems that the Zig policy implies that. Otherwise what would be wrong with interacting with contributors using LLMs?
Would you let your nanny subcontract?
edit: Can't reply because I've posted a whole 4 times.
I believe we have different world views which is hardly a disagreement. Answering my question could pretty well highlight our difference of opinion.
What point are you trying to make? Be explicit.