It's true that you shouldn't write any code before you have some sort of backing design planned. However, the role of a programmer is similarly important, even in the design phase. If you're making anything that has to do with computers, a programmer is usually the one who will tell you what is or isn't possible. That's important, no?

This piece of advice is either inadvisable or just poorly written. IMO: Design, prototype, clean up. If you can do that without a programmer, cool. But chances are that you'll need one, either to tell you that you're wrong, or to tell you how to do it better. Code isn't the only thing programmers produce.

This article was brought to you by "Tech Lead at SmartHires (YC S14)" apparently.