[boppo1]

Context: I did not study CS in college & wished I had so I read the python data science handbook, K&R's C, and Stroustrup's Programming Practice and Principles. I spend a significant amount of time bashing my head against getting code for personal projects to work (it usually did, eventually!).

I am way way way more capable with AI agents for this experience than if I had not invested the time. I can look at the code they wrote & decide if it's good enough or a bad idea. I have instincts about how to do things. I am much more able to plan things with them. My coworkers with degrees are wildly productive.

If you think you will be interacting with code in any significant way, I would at least read those three books, they will help you understand "how computers really work". If you want to have a career in making software, then definitely learn to write programs without AI.