Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
I’m not a programmer, but I know enough to make a mess. I took courses for some basic programming skills and was able to gain some rudimentary knowledge of Python and Linux by installing custom ROMs on my machine Android phones Way back when. But if I were asked to build something – anything – from scratch in any language, it would never happen.
When I first heard about Atmosphere codingI thought, would never go beyond being a utility for people who knew how to do the real thing — a utility for really talented programmers, making basic tasks easier for them. For the most part, this is exactly where we are with regard to bioprogramming. But for someone with no experience at all, Basic may be all you need to create something you wouldn’t have been able to achieve otherwise.
Generative AI tools can turn anyone into a programmer. Just as you can create an image using natural language, vibe coding lets you create websites, applets, widgets, and more, just by directing an AI chatbot like twin or ChatGPT.
To test this myself, I tried creating a project using Gemini and Claudeand both produced satisfactory results, although one required a few more instructions than the other. Below, I’ll cover my experience with biometric programming and why creating a basic app was such a great accomplishment.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased technical content and lab reviews. Add CNET As Google’s preferred source.
What is biocoding?
In its simplest form, biometric programming uses artificial intelligence to create code using natural language prompts and instructions. This code can be used to create a website, application, or function that you can use to perform the task you want.
You can usually do basic programming with your chatbot of choice, but there are more advanced tools for people who know how to work with code and want more control. Google AI Studio is one option. It comes with a useful, Google-based “I feel lucky” button that will create a project to get an idea of what you can do with AI Studio.
Bioprogramming with Gemini
Gemini has created a solid calendar of Halloween events after a little tweaking for October.
A friend asked me if there were any Halloween events happening in the San Francisco Bay Area when their friends visited, so I decided to try and create a calendar of events for them. The primary focus was adult events, from haunted houses to bar visits and anything in between.
Using Gemini, I came up with the basic idea, the sources I wanted to draw events from, and how I wanted to interact with the calendar. The first version succeeded in doing what I asked it to do, but it also highlighted what I didn’t ask Gemini when creating the calendar.
I asked Gemini to improve the calendar further by double-checking that the events were for the year, that the event details linked to active pages and not dead links and that the price was prominently displayed in the event details. Gemini accepted most of these improvements without a hitch, but its interpretation of some requests needed further clarification.
For example, when you click on a specific event in the calendar, Gemini initially only marks the events as free or paid. I’ve asked for clearer pricing and added a range from $ to $$$, which indicates how much each paid event will cost. You’ve finally requested that specific prices appear in your event details. Gemini replied: “This is a more practical way to plan your nights out!” And update the calendar accordingly.
My experience creating a robust events calendar with Gemini was relatively painless, although I had to repeat what I meant for some specific features I wanted to see in it.
Dynamic programming with Claude
Although this was not what I was after, Claude managed to get a lot of my catchy programming requests right without me having to go back and correct them.
Given how easy it was to create an events calendar with Gemini, I expected a similar experience with Claude. I used the same initial prompt to create the calendar. To my surprise, Claude worked wonders.
The layout was different: instead of the calendar view I wanted, Claude chose a list view that could be divided into multiple categories. It also includes a search bar at the top, allowing me to search for specific events, and a small calendar. Although this wasn’t the design I wanted, Claude’s first attempt added more detail than Jiminy did, even after I improved it. Initial prices or exact price ranges were already in place without prompting, and even discount codes were prominently displayed if available.
The effort from Claude made me want to go further, and that’s where the problem started. I asked to add a tab so there would be a different calendar view to match the overall look of what Gemini has created. Claude went to work, took a few minutes to respond, and then returned an error message. After three attempts by Claude to fix the problem, it finally worked and the calendar view tab was added.
Claude’s ability to fix himself made me want to go through with it – another mistake. After I asked him to make the calendar more similar to what Gemini produced, another error occurred. After failing to repair itself three times, she decided to stop the experiment, as Jiminy and Claude did exactly what she asked of them. I had two solid calendars of events, anything else was extra.
Adventures in bioprogramming: general ideas
Vibe coding allows non-coders to create something they wouldn’t know how to create otherwise. You’ll feel empowered if you need something simple with minor to moderate feature additions. For my event calendar, not only did bio programming produce exactly what I wanted, it did it much better and faster than it would have required if I had done it manually.
Jiminy and Claude did exactly what I asked them to do. They both require more instruction for different aspects of the experience, so to say that one is the clear winner or is better than the other would be silly. Both options are more than serviceable for your basic coding needs.
The thing is, at least for me, I don’t know what I don’t know. I could ask a chatbot what it could stand for, but without a concrete idea or idea of its actual limitations, it’s something I don’t think I’ll use very often. If I knew my way around programming, I think enthusiastic programming would be more powerful – offloading simple things that need less attention.
Some people might gravitate toward biometric programming after a successful test and really delve into what they can do with it, and that’s great. For me, Passionate Programming was a good experience, but it made me want to take another programming course.
