The evolution of software development from static cartridges to dynamic, interconnected systems has necessitated continuous updates and maintenance, which come with ongoing costs. Developers increasingly rely on abstractions provided by evolving programming languages and development ecosystems to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) by minimizing the amount of code that needs maintenance. The text discusses the role of AI in this context, noting that while large language models (LLMs) promise to automate coding, they often generate technical debt with third-generation languages (3GL) instead of adding value. In contrast, fourth-generation languages (4GL) like SQL, with their simpler syntax, align better with generative AI, offering direct domain and business value. The text emphasizes the strategic use of abstractions and the potential of generative AI for 4GL to optimize TCO, recommending tools like Couchbase for enterprises to manage these complexities effectively.