This collection of excerpts, primarily from "Effective AI for Software Development" offers a comprehensive guide to building robust software, emphasizing the crucial role of foundational coding principles even in an AI-driven era. The author, a seasoned software engineer, argues that mastering software architecture basics, such as design patterns (like Factory Method, Adapter, Strategy, Mediator, State Machine, Abstract Factory, and Chain of Responsibility) and SOLID principles (Single Responsibility, Open/Closed, Liskov Substitution, Interface Segregation, and Dependency Inversion), is essential before relying on AI for code generation. The text illustrates how these principles contribute to clean, flexible, maintainable, and testable code, contrasting them with the "messy" output AI might produce without proper guidance. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of automated unit testing for early bug detection and confidence in code changes, demonstrating how AI can enhance test case generation when paired with human oversight and well-crafted prompts. The author stresses that effective prompt engineering is key to instructing AI to adhere to these best practices, ultimately enabling developers to use AI as an assistant to produce high-quality, production-ready software.