LLMs have a great deal of value in that they are the world's most advanced rubber duck.[1]
They contain all of the references[2] from Google + the ability to somewhat encourage self-evaluation and reflection. However in terms of patterns/anti-patterns, the use of LLMs to create code without human interaction is itself an emerging anti-pattern. Just like any bit of code that functions despite being a form of pasta[3], an anti-pattern doesn't mean things won't function... but you are guaranteed to bake-in a certain level of performance loss and general negative quirkiness; just like in cases of programming in regards to date & time-zones, the devil is in the details and often appears years down the line, not right away.
The fruit of the LLM tree is made more tempting by taking away part of what creates good code: the difficulty. Difficult games or experiences create people who are capable of handling deviations from standard running procedures and anticipate failure upstream. This isn't possible with a LLM structure because the whole aim is reducing the difficulty of production and increasing speed.
Consider the example of the Luddite[4], where the artisan weaver is replaced by a leap in industrialization: this isn't so much the case with a LLM. They work faster, but with far less accuracy. Imagine a rug weaved together in minutes with no discernible pattern. Certainly under the supervision of an expert this improves but imperfections emerge in the system that require a halt of the speed, rollbacks that eat away at production time and create vast effects in terms of customer opinion of the process and the product.
Not to use LLMs at all is likely folly. Knowing how to use them well will be the difference between the master and the apprentice.[5]
Hopefully more identification of LLM patterns and anti-patterns will begin to evolve along with what seems to be another new release from Pandora's Box.[6]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/nov/03/google-search-artificial-intelligence
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_code#Pasta-related
[4] https://www.britannica.com/event/Who-were-the-Luddites-and-why-did-they-protest-machinery
[5] https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/ The_Sorcerer%27s_Apprentice
[6] https://www.nga.gov/educational-resources/greco-roman-origin-myths/pandoras-box
Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50489240
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