But there are artistic expressions of programming. Check out the IOCCC for example. (old school stuff) There are similar competitions for newer languages and systems, but I haven't looked into them much. And then there's the demo scene, the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.kkrieger etc...
This is so often missed across most anything.
Rarely do people appreciate or want to fund something that doesn't provide the desired outcome. The lucky few on this planet are those who can find joy in creating something others want to pay for.
Personally, I've spent most of my 20s and 30s having this tremendous imposter syndrome when it comes to actual programming, but through working in sales operations, I have learned a good bit about scalable architecture. So tools like claude code have unlocked many fun challenges for me. Even if. I spend a lot of time cleaning up the sprawl they create.
When I was a junior developer I did see programming as an art but I really don’t see it anymore. What is important is the output. And does the output is in accordance to its design and functions as intended.
You can produce great software with any code or programming languages that you can think of. Some tools and practices produce them faster and/or with higher quality and correctness.
You can replicate the same product with almost any programming language now and good software practices now. AI makes the writing process a breeze but doesn’t solve what is art: the design and the vision (why and what). Therefore I think you can’t call the process of production an art. It’s really not that special.