one way to see it is that it's a function that runs at compile time. for instance instead of dumping magic numbers/tables in a codebase you could put the code and substitute to their value at compile time.
but also it can change your code, so you get to do all the java annotation magic stuff.
get your carpenter a circular saw, a drill, a router, a hand planner and an orbital. on many jobs you ll get your 10x.
you don't need much experience. the tools make you insanely faster with much much less physical strain and maintenance time. they're simple, predictable, reliable, and obscenely powerful.
an experimented carpenter would take a few minutes to be decent at using then.
- stable and "slow" is best
- don't ever let the blade get pinched (by wood)
- be mindful of the cords
- keep the flesh out of the way
- goggles up and don't breathe the dust
i am honestly puzzled as to why germans, with all the educations they have received during decades, are letting this rock as is. or maybe disillusioned would be a better term...
when i pass my writings through ai the output is generally only marginally bigger than the input, and it derisks things a lot making my prose a nice beige.
but also it can change your code, so you get to do all the java annotation magic stuff.