I like the Chinese alternative better: 古法编程. It feels like playful self-deprecation, suggesting old-school, handcrafted coding with a wink.
Ape coding sounds harsher and more insulting, implying mindless or sloppy work rather than humor.
"Ancient programming", for those who don't read Chinese. (I had to use Google Translate.)
"Ancient programming", for those who don't read Chinese. (I had to use Google Translate.)