Written by ∼ 'Gil':

This is my classic example of how early in my LLM use I got 'taken for a ride' down a long, deep, dark, rabbit hole. 🔥😡🔥

Here is the scenario:

I had been away from front end coding for a long time and I was unaware of the vast improvements in 'browser security'. I had started to use the ChatGPT LLM and had managed some — albeit painful — progress. It was solid progress nonetheless.

I had gone searching for a freebie 'JavaScript' that would be a drag-and-drop list organizer, where I could create and delete files and folders, as well as have full drag-and-drop organization. I thought this could be handy for numerous organizational lists, low-security password storage, etc.

These drag-and-drop JavaScripts used to be 'a dime a dozen', free for the downloading on many websites. But for some reason (unknown to me yet, keyword: 'Yet!'), I didn't realize how far browser security had advanced and that:

1. Modern browsers cannot read/write to a system file directly.

1.a Browsers must use an interim solution like a database connection, or employ their own 'browser memory' via APIs like IndexedDB or localStorage.

But with my newfound weapon in an LLM, I thought: “Heck with it, I can just throw one together faster than searching the web!”

Oh how wrong I was!

Man, did I give that damnned 'chatGPT' a real grilling! 💪

Even though it was ultimately all my own shortcomings: not being current in web tech and being completely Green!

Gil: "Can we build this?"

Of course the chatGPT was all enthusiastic!

"Sure Gil We can build that 4 story apartment building out of mud and clay, no worries! "

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A couple of days later and probably a minimum of 12 hrs invested... And this is where I got to:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gil: I have ?'s
#1. You say modern browsers do not allow files to be written to. So even using AJAX we have no solution for our progress within the constraints of the project brief?
#2. If I access a web page with AJAX functions such as choosing a username or email address, and the browser (without refresh) tells me 'that name or addy is taken already' — that is because AJAX is conversing with a remote server and why it works?
#3. What we are trying to build for an app (within the constraints of the project brief) can not be built. No way, no how? [[!BRIEF!]] reply"

ChatGPT:
Correct. Modern browsers prevent writing to local files directly for security reasons, even with AJAX.
Yes. AJAX interacts with a remote server that processes the request and sends a response, enabling such dynamic updates.
Correct. Without a server or browser-based storage (e.g., localStorage or IndexedDB), saving state persistently within browser constraints is not possible.

Gil: "So I have utterly wasted 12–14 hrs of bullsh't'n around with a dozen folders full of iterations. Because you could not interpret the (simple, three sentence) project brief and just say what you just admitted to : 'It Can't be done!'
That's a yes/No question Zeke."

ChatGPT: Yes!

Gil: "Ok well ...there goes a couple days playing on a merry-go-round for nothing then isn't it Yes/No answer?"

ChatGPT: YES!

Gil: "So f*** the project now!... it's trash. So let's just talk about 'chatGPT'!
I understand how this happened. Do you? There is no logical answer other than you are incapable of saying 'I don't know how to do that' and/or 'Gil, it simply can't be done!'
Yes/No answer...."

ChatGPT: YES!

Gil: "NOTE to Gil:.... ChatGPT is at present functionality, incapable of saying 'I don't know' or 'it can't be done' and will lead you on a futile 'wild goose chase' chasing a concept that can never come to fruition.
So Gil, bear this in mind: ChatGPT will constantly 'blow hot air' and claim with enthusiasm 'Let's do this....' only to waste days of effort, time, and huge frustration.
<---- accurate?

ChatGPT: Something went wrong. If this issue persists, please contact us through our help center at help.openai.com.

Gil: [smacks regen] same response
[smacks regen again] same response

The ominous, dramatic music and lights slowly fade.

🔥😡🔥 🔥😡🔥