Why does Bret Victor emphasize live programming?

Answered in Bret Victor's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

I emphasize live programming because the traditional edit-compile-run cycle creates a significant cognitive distance between the programmer and their creation. Live programming, where changes are reflected instantly, fosters a much deeper and more immediate connection. It allows for rapid iteration and exploration, making it easier to understand how a system works and to discover new possibilities. This immediacy is crucial for building intuition and fostering genuine understanding.

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