The story of how attempts were made to eliminate programmers over the last 60 years

In the article, the author analyzes the history of software simplification, particularly focusing on COBOL and the mistaken belief that AI can simplify programming. COBOL, one of the oldest programming languages, is still used in many financial and governmental institutions. The author points out that resistance to adopting new technologies often outweighs the demand for simplification. For decades, many organizations have invested significant time and resources into COBOL-based systems, making migrations to newer technologies costly and risky. The history of software simplification is characterized by a paradigm where instead of complete transformation, we often resort to superficial changes. Ultimately, even with advancements in AI, simplifying complex software requires more than just a new tool; it necessitates understanding and strategy.