The archive
Issue #023
Tech Life 5 min read· 1 Oct 2026

The Column Name Debate

I'm deep in a discussion about database design. Back and forth. Point and counterpoint. The kind of debate that shapes the future of a product. Then I realize I'm not talking to a colleague. I'm arguing with Claude AI about what to name a database column.

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CTO takeaway

The lesson, minus the scar tissue.

  • You know you've been coding too long when you start arguing with AI about naming conventions.
  • Rubber duck debugging has evolved. Now the duck has opinions.
  • If you're spending more time debating column names with AI than writing code, take a break.
  • AI is a tool, not a colleague. It doesn't care if you use 'created_at' or 'creation_date'. It just wants to be helpful.
  • Touch grass. Your database will still be there when you get back.
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