The Verbosity Problem: Why LLMs Generate Bloated Code
2025-05-14
This article explores the issue of large language models (LLMs) generating overly verbose and inefficient code. The author argues that the token-based pricing model of many AI coding assistants incentivizes the generation of lengthy code, even if it's less efficient. This is because more tokens processed mean more revenue. The author outlines strategies to mitigate this, including forcing planning before coding, implementing strict permission protocols, using Git for experimentation and ruthless pruning, and utilizing cheaper models. The ultimate solution, the author proposes, is for AI companies to shift their economic incentives to prioritize code quality over token count.
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Development
Economic Incentives