LLMs Are Not a Higher Level of Abstraction
The article argues that large language models (LLMs) do not represent a higher level of abstraction in programming like previous transitions from binary to high-level languages. Unlike deterministic systems where specific inputs produce specific outputs, LLMs generate probabilistic results, introducing unpredictability and potential unintended artifacts. The author emphasizes the need for programmer self-awareness and cautions against treating LLM-generated code as equivalent to traditionally abstracted programming languages.
- ▪Each prior programming abstraction, such as moving from assembly to C, produced deterministic outputs for given inputs.
- ▪LLMs differ because they generate outputs based on probabilities, meaning the same input can yield different results.
- ▪The author warns that LLM outputs may include harmful or unintended code artifacts not detected by standard testing.
- ▪Using LLMs for programming introduces risks, such as exposing credentials or granting unintended public access through generated code.
- ▪The article challenges the notion that programming with LLMs is a direct evolution in abstraction and calls for critical self-reflection among developers.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
LLMs Are Not a Higher Level of Abstraction " A picture is worth 10K words - but only those to describe the picture. Hardly any sets of 10K words can be adequately described with pictures." -- Alan Perlis previous:C and Undefined Behavior Contents Posted by Lelanthran 2026-04-27 The Myth I am seeing the claim everywhere online that LLMs are a higher level of abstraction. If you claim that you haven’t seen this claim then you had better stop reading now - this blog post is not for you.1 Specifically, I am seeing the claim that LLMs are the net step in the abstractions we had, going from programming in binary to programming in assembly to programming in C to programming in Python. Now, I am told, the programming in LLMs is the next abstraction.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Hacker News: Newest.
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