Don Aguinaldo
In the ever-evolving world of coding, the learning curve can be intimidating. But imagine a tool that makes this ascent more engaging and less daunting. Say hello to ChatGPT, the AI prodigy that's making waves in the developer community.
If you have been refusing to leave the rock you're under, then you probably haven't heard of ChatGPT. This new AI language model has been making waves in several industries as a job-threatening machine. The text-based nature of software development became a specific target for those who believe that AI is going to replace humans.
On the contrary though, I believe ChatGPT is only going to enhance development and make us better coders going into the future. It's not capable of creating in-depth solutions or building specific programs yet, so don't be alarmed. However, it can definitely research technology, look for bugs, and help understand large codebases.
With its top-tier Natural Language Processing (NLP), ChatGPT feels like you're brainstorming along with an intelligent friend that doesn't say no to you. It deciphers your questions, crafts dialogues, and aids in troubleshooting, making coding feel like a casual chat over coffee.
There are two models to remember GPT-3.5, the free version, and GPT-4, the paid version. GPT-3.5 is much faster, but doesn't always provide accurate information because of the date when it stopped receiving information. At the time of writing this article that would be January 2022. The good news though is that it's completely free if you make an account on their website.
GPT-4 is there latest model that offers much more services at the cost of $20 a month. You are able to use third-party plugins, search with Bing, analyze datasets, and create images with DALL-E in this version. I recommend getting this premium version of ChatGPT because it just gives so much value if you know how to prompt it properly.
Ever been baffled by intricate code? ChatGPT's got your back. It can whip up a plethora of code variations, letting newcomers immerse themselves without feeling adrift. And with ChatGPT, it's not just about mimicking code; it's about genuine comprehension.
For a beginner web developer who just started, this is the perfect tool to help breakdown and explain snippets of code you don't understand. Not only that, it can help scaffold some code blocks that could drastically save time.
In my case as a JavaScript developer, it helps me on the daily to read and summarize what code I've found on other blogs. It also helps breakdown programming concepts, like APIs, that would otherwise confuse me if I was a beginner.
For a deeper dive into JavaScript, here's a guide on 4 Ways to Make an API Call in JavaScript.
The world of coding is riddled with complex functions. But what if there was a buddy that could simplify these for you? ChatGPT, with its dialog-driven learning, unravels these functions, making them a piece of cake. And if things get muddled, it's always ready to re-explain!
This is what makes it a great tutor because it can easily read what every line of code does. It cannot however read an entire applications code base yet, but we take what we can get.
You'll never get lost about what something is doing in your codebase, so make sure to always ask ChatGPT to break things down for you so you can start understanding the codebase that was probably written decades ago.
Bugs - the bane of every coder's existence. But with ChatGPT, debugging is no longer a chore. It not only pinpoints the culprits but also walks you through the rectification process, ensuring clarity at every juncture.
This is one of my favorite things to do with ChatGPT because it just saves so much time. Back when I was in university, I have spent days, and even weeks, googling through bugs and issues just to get a button to work, but with ChatGPT you can easily find solutions within minutes.
Ever been given some requirements for a new project and don't know where to start? Don't worry, you can ask ChatGPT to create some boilerplate for you to kickstart your development.
You can also let it scaffold specific code blocks or functions just in case you get stuck on how to implement an idea or a specific library.
ChatGPT can be a great consultant to bounce ideas off of. If you've ever been wondering what technologies or frameworks to use to fit your situation, more than likely ChatGPT can provide the research to explain what could work for you.
This process becomes easier if you feed the AI some information, or requriements, about your application. It can quickly decpyher what other people use and how to implement the ideas into your project.
Ever just stared at your 100,000 line codebase, and say, "Damn, I need to refactor this." Then you're in luck because it couldn't have gotten any easier now with AI. You can let it scan your code and tell it to consolidate or translate something to other languages.
You can finally clean up those loose bits of code and increase performance of older apps without having to drink thousands of cups of coffee and hate your life!
Fluent in multiple coding languages? ChatGPT's adeptness in translating between languages amplifies your coding versatility. Now moving your backend from TypeScript to Rust couldn't be any easier.
ChatGPT becomes a greate translation tool that isn't 100% accurate, but delivers a suitable start to your refactoring. It handles the whole process of learning syntax and finding similar libraries to integrate, and can even explain how and why things work.
By far one of my most used functions of AI. I absolutely hate writing documentation, so I though, "Why can't I just let ChatGPT do it?" And since then I've only been editing the documentation it creates.
If you feed the AI the correct information, it can write detailed overviews, summaries, and even where you can find specific things in your code.
While ChatGPT is a formidable ally, it's pivotal to blend its insights with the human element. Think of it as your coding pal - ever-ready to assist, but with its unique flair. It's an invaluable tool that I consider to be my daily assistant that can handle much more than mennial tasks.
So as you can see, ChatGPT offers so much value for all levels of developers. It gives back the most valuable thing when it comes to programming--time. Now you can quickly spin up prototypes or fix small bugs without investing as much time as you would've back then.
If you want to test out these techniques, then considering running through my tutorial, a Simple JavaScript Quiz App Using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Observe how much faster it is to spin up such a simple app like this compared to hand-typing all of the code yourself. I guarantee you will enjoy your coding experience a lot more.
Here's a quick list of extensions I use for coding and daily use:
ChatGPT isn't just another tool in the shed; it's a seismic shift in the coding landscape. With its ever-expanding capabilities, it heralds a future where coding is within everyone's grasp. So, whether you're dipping your toes or aiming for the stars, ChatGPT is the ace up your sleeve. I'll leave a couple of prompts I use in my workflow to help get you started with these AI language models.
So get familiar with AI. Become friends with it because who knows, within a years time these AI chat tools could do far more than whatever we could think of. In the programming space, we're always learning so start learning ChatGPT and make your JavaScript journey easier!
If you want to take the next step then consider reading How to Become a Web Developer next.
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