Gem Programming: Stop Reusing Code. Start Reusing Decisions.
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As generative AI models become increasingly capable of regenerating boilerplate implementation code on demand, the core value of software engineering shifts from preserving raw source code to capturing underlying architectural decisions. 'Gem Programming' advocates for explicitly recording and reusing engineering intent, design trade-offs, and domain constraints rather than focusing solely on static code reusability. For engineers scaling their architectural craft, this mental model emphasizes that AI can effortlessly synthesize syntax, but maintaining robust long-term systems requires explicit preservation of the context and rationale that governed those design choices in the first place.