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a16z Podcast

a16z Podcast: The End (and Beginning) of Programming

Jun 8, 2018
Chris Wanstrath, co-founder and former CEO of GitHub, dives into the evolution of programming and the quest for a billion developers. He discusses redefining 'programmer' to include those engaging with data in new ways. Wanstrath emphasizes the significance of visual interfaces and AI, allowing professionals from various fields to adopt coding-like skills. The conversation addresses challenges faced by open-source developers and highlights a future where data ownership empowers individuals in unprecedented ways.
19:21

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast discusses the evolving definition of programmers, emphasizing the need to include non-traditional developers through accessible tools and data manipulation.
  • It highlights the shift towards data as a primary technology interaction method, enabling diverse professionals to optimize processes without relying solely on traditional programming languages.

Deep dives

The Changing Definition of Programmers

The conversation centers around the evolving definition of what it means to be a programmer in today's world. Although there are around 20 million full-time software developers, the actual number of individuals involved in programming is estimated to be closer to 40 million and continues to grow. This shift reflects a broader trend where non-traditional programmers, such as marketers and business professionals, increasingly engage in coding and development tasks. As tools become more accessible, the goal is to open up programming to a billion developers by redefining what it means to develop software.

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