Rethinking Development in the Age of Ai

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Overview

This podcast episode delves into a developer's 25-year journey, reflecting on how the rise of AI and low-code/no-code tools is reshaping software development. The discussion highlights a shift from traditional frameworks like Laravel to more flexible solutions incorporating tools like N8N, Bolt.new, and Cursor AI. The core idea is to prioritize efficiency and problem-solving over the act of coding itself.
Key points include:
● A move from Laravel-centric development: The developer acknowledges that while Laravel was a go-to in the past, it's no longer the only answer for web applications.
● Embracing low-code/no-code: The emergence of tools like N8N has enabled faster development and easier maintenance with less code.
● Focus on practical solutions: The emphasis is on building tools that effectively solve client problems, save time, and reduce costs.
●Specific project examples show how the developer is rethinking his approach:
○ Email Opt-Out System: Previously built with Laravel in two days, it can now be set up with N8N in 2–4 hours, using an LLM to parse emails and update databases and Google Sheets.
○Water Registration Project: This project, which involved a signup process, backend operations, and data extraction, can now have 50-80% of its backend moved to N8N. This reduces the need for custom code for processes like handling PDF reports, running them through OCR/LLM, and extracting structured data.
○RAG Chat System: Instead of a custom-built system, an off-the-shelf solution or a combination of Bolt.new, Cursor AI, and N8N can be used, potentially cutting development time from 2-4 weeks to a few days.
●AI as a "superpower": AI tools enable developers to tackle previously avoided projects with new confidence. For example, data conversions, browser extensions, and data scraping, which used to take considerable time and money can now be done quickly with the help of AI tools.
●Backend processes are being streamlined using tools like N8N, Bolt.new and Cursor to build user interfaces quickly.
●Future approach to SaaS: For new SaaS ideas, the developer plans to use Bolt.new or FlutterFlow with N8N as a backend for rapid development.
●A shift in mindset: The developer is re-evaluating his tech choices and embraces a "build a little, learn a lot" approach, adapting to the changing tech landscape. This involves a move away from the "artisan" approach to coding and more of a focus on practical solutions that make or save clients money.
●PHP is not the default: The author also notes that many new AI tools are better with Python and Javascript than PHP which is something to consider when choosing a tech stack.
The podcast episode is a reflection on how the developer is adapting to new technologies and a discussion about how these changes impact project builds, and what it means for software development going forward.

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