The vast, vast majority of code that exists in the world is junk code.

· Bits and Bobs 1/19/26
  • The vast, vast majority of code that exists in the world is junk code.
    • We think about algorithmically interesting code as most code.
    • But that's maybe 1% of code.
      • Most of the Algorithmically Interesting code is actually just an implementation of an interesting algorithm you'd find in a textbook.
      • Truly novel Algorithmically Interesting code is maybe .01% of all code written.
    • Maybe 20% of code is CRUD.
      • Simple wrappers around SQL.
    • The other 80% of code is just boring integrations.
      • Just shuttling code back and forth between different formats.
      • Extremely boring and quotidian.
      • Easy to mess up, requires meticulousness and patience to do right.
    • Convincing someone else to do integration work for you is hard.
      • Even if you're a leader in a company, you have to do a lot of coordination, writing up proposals, proving to engineers it will be useful.
      • If you're just an individual with a need, good luck, it's nearly impossible to convince someone to do it for you.
    • LLMs are really good at CRUD code, and also integration code.
      • They can simply do it.
      • You don't have to convince them to, they just do it!
    • Convincing someone to do your bespoke integration work was the main blockage for software.
      • Now it doesn't exist.

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