Embracing Change: From Windows Notepad to AI

Seventeen years ago, when I first started learning how to code, I remember the thrill of typing my very first program in Windows Notepad. Watching my text compile and run in the terminal felt magical—almost surreal. At the time, it seemed like the only “right” way to do things. As I wrote more complex programs, I eventually discovered Notepad++. Suddenly, variables, functions, and constants were highlighted and color-coded, making the code easier to read and debug. Even this seemingly small shift boosted my productivity and confidence, and it showed me that embracing new tools can transform how we work.

Over the years, I watched the entire development landscape evolve. Basic text editors gave way to Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), complete with code completion, integrated debugging, and refactoring tools. Then came containers, cloud platforms, and DevOps pipelines, enabling faster, more collaborative builds and deployments. Despite the new technologies, our roles didn’t vanish; they just changed. We offloaded monotonous tasks to automated systems, giving us more time for innovation and creativity.

Not long after, websites like Wix and Squarespace made it simpler for anyone to build web pages without writing code. At first, many developers felt uneasy. Was this going to make us obsolete? But these platforms mainly addressed straightforward projects—personal blogs, small business pages, prototypes—and actually freed us from “low-end” tasks. As those simpler needs were met, developers moved on to build more ambitious applications and complex user experiences. In other words, what looked like a threat turned out to be an invitation to tackle bigger, more interesting challenges.

Fast-forward to today, and we’re facing another seismic shift: the rise of AI. AI-powered coding assistants can generate boilerplate code, detect bugs, and even suggest intelligent refactors. Once again, it’s easy to feel anxious—just as we did with drag-and-drop website builders. Yet if we look at our history, we see the same pattern: each time tools emerge that automate basic tasks, developers find new ways to stretch their creativity and solve more advanced problems.

Our collective experience shows that adaptability is the key to thriving in this industry. Whenever a new wave of technology hits—from text editors to IDEs, from simple website builders to AI—we have a choice: cling to old methods or explore new possibilities. Those who opt for the latter discover they can achieve more, focus on higher-level tasks, and ultimately shape the future of software development.

By letting AI handle repetitive tasks, we can devote our energy to bigger, more creative projects that spark our passion for coding in the first place. Software development has never been static. At each step—Notepad, Notepad++, and now AI—the tools evolve, and so do our capabilities. The secret to success is to let go of the fear and step boldly into the next chapter.