Michael Feathers is the author of the Leanpub book AI Assisted Programming.

In this episode of the FrontMatter podcast, host Len Epp interviews Michael Feathers, founder of R7K Research and Conveyance. Michael delves into his career journey, from his early interest in technology to becoming a prominent voice in software design and the challenges of working with legacy code.

The conversation begins with Michael sharing his background, detailing how his fascination with technology evolved from his childhood into a professional career focused on software engineering. He discusses the significance of legacy code in the industry, explaining how it presents both challenges and opportunities for developers. Michael’s expertise in this area has made him a key figure in helping companies navigate and modernize their existing codebases.

A major focus of the interview is Michael’s insights on the growing influence of AI in programming. He discusses the potential of AI to change the way developers work, highlighting both the opportunities and the concerns associated with AI-assisted development. Michael emphasizes the need for developers to adapt to these changes and to consider how AI can be used to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and problem-solving in software development.

The discussion also touches on the emotional aspects of coding, where Michael talks about the frustrations and rewards that come with programming. He reflects on how dealing with legacy code can be emotionally taxing but also deeply satisfying when solutions are found. This leads to a broader conversation about the future of software development in an increasingly AI-driven world, where Michael offers his thoughts on how the industry might evolve and the skills that developers will need to thrive.

To learn more about Michael Feathers and his work, you can visit the R7K Research and Conveyance website or follow him on Twitter.

This interview was recorded on August 14, 2024.

The full audio for the interview is here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/leanpub_podcasts/FM300-Michael-Feathers-2024-08-14.mp3. The Frontmatter podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/leanpub, in Apple Podcasts here https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frontmatter/id517117137, and almost everywhere else people listen to podcasts.

This interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.