Technologies claiming to replace software engineers

• May 20, 2025 at 21:04 IST
• 2 min read

• tech

I asked Grok 3 DeeperResearch tool to find a list of technologies throughout the history that have claimed to replace software engineers, and it did pull up some cool mentions:

1. Automatic Programming and Compilers (1950s)

• Era: 1950s
• Description: Early efforts to automate programming, such as the A-0 compiler by Grace Hopper, focused on translating high-level languages like Fortran into machine code.
• Claims: Suggested that programming could be automated, reducing the need for low-level coding expertise.
• Impact: Enabled higher-level programming but did not eliminate the need for programmers to design algorithms and logic.
• Source: Wikipedia: Automatic Programming

2. Fourth-Generation Programming Languages (4GLs) (1970s-1990s)

• Era: 1970s-1990s
• Description: High-level languages like SQL and FoxPro designed to be closer to human language, enabling non-programmers to perform tasks like database queries.
• Claims: Hyped as potentially eliminating the need for traditional programmers, with - Claims: that they were the "last generation" requiring code writing.
• Impact: Simplified specific tasks but were limited for complex projects, requiring professional developers for broader applications.
• Source: Wikipedia: Fourth-generation programming language

3. Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) Tools (1980s-1990s)

• Era: 1980s-1990s
• Description: Tools to automate software development stages, including analysis, design, and code generation, introduced by companies like Nastec.
• Claims: Promised significant productivity gains, potentially reducing manual coding needs, often oversold as "silver bullets."
• Impact: Faced adoption challenges due to complexity and cost, augmenting rather than replacing developers.
• Source: Wikipedia: Computer-aided software engineering

4. Visual Programming Languages (1990s)

• Era: 1990s
• Description: Languages like Visual Basic (introduced 1991) used graphical interfaces for rapid application development.
• Claims: Made programming accessible to non-experts, suggesting a reduced need for specialized skills for certain applications.
• Impact: Democratized app development but required skilled developers for complex projects.
• Source: Wikipedia: Visual Basic

5. Low-Code/No-Code Platforms (2000s-Present)

• Era: 2000s-Present
• Description: Platforms like Mendix and OutSystems enable application development with minimal coding, coined as "low-code" in 2014.
• Claims: Marketed as empowering citizen developers, potentially reducing reliance on professional programmers for routine tasks.
• Impact: Expanded development scope but professional developers remain essential for complex and custom solutions.
• Source: Wikipedia: Low-code development platform

6. AI-Assisted Coding Tools (2020s)

• Era: 2020s
• Description: Tools like GitHub Copilot (launched 2021) use AI to suggest and generate code, assisting developers in real-time.
• Claims: Sparked fears of replacing programmers, with discussions questioning if AI could automate coding tasks.
• Impact: Enhances productivity but requires human oversight for problem-solving and quality assurance.
• Source: Wikipedia: GitHub Copilot

Please note that these are completely AI-generated, I haven't edited a single thing here.