I wanted to know whether AI can understand legacy code.
Not compile it. Understand it.
The problem: real legacy systems don't come with an answer key.
So I decided to build one — starting in 2008.
It is 2008.
I Tried to Recreate a 2008 .NET Developer With AI. I Broke My Own Experiment 4 Times.
I wanted to know whether AI can understand legacy code. Not compile it. Understand it. The problem:...
TL;DRAI
Four Codex experiments on legacy code failed as the setup shifted at each iteration, confusing model capability with measurement failure. Tech leaders need fixed baselines for modernization. Shifting conditions obscure real model differences from experimental flaws.
1,166 words~5 min read
