Stanford University

This website is the official course page for CS146S: The Modern Software Developer, a Stanford University course offered in Fall 2025. The course addresses the transformation of software development driven by large language models (LLMs). It explores how AI automation is reshaping each stage of the traditional software lifecycle, from initial design and coding to testing, deployment, and maintenance. The primary goal is to teach students practical strategies for using modern AI tools to increase their productivity and prepare for careers in an AI-augmented industry. The course content covers a wide range of topics, including how to effectively prompt LLMs for code generation, how to evaluate and validate AI-generated code, how to integrate AI assistants into version control workflows, and how to apply AI for automated test generation, bug detection, and code refactoring. It also discusses the shift from writing code from scratch (0-1 creation) to an iterative, collaborative process where developers guide and refine AI outputs. The website provides a structured overview of the course, including a detailed syllabus that outlines weekly topics, assignments, and reading materials. A frequently asked questions section addresses common concerns