Can ChatGPT replace programmers? What programming languages does ChatGPT know? We answer these and your other generative AI coding questions. By David Gewirtz.
One of the more intriguing discoveries about ChatGPT is that it can write pretty good code. I first tested this out last year when I asked it to write a WordPress plugin my wife could use on her website. ChatGPT did a fine job, but it was a very simple project. So, how can you use ChatGPT to write code as part of your daily coding practice? Here’s a quick summary:
- ChatGPT can produce both useful and unusable code. For best results, provide clear and detailed prompts
- ChatGPT excels in assisting with specific coding tasks or routines, rather than building complete applications from scratch
- Use ChatGPT to find and choose the right coding libraries for specific purposes, and engage in an interactive discussion to narrow down options
- Be cautious about the ownership of AI-generated code and always verify the code’s reliability. Don’t blindly trust the generated output
- Treat interactions with ChatGPT as a conversation. Refine your questions based on the AI’s responses to get closer to the desired output
There are two important facts about ChatGPT and coding. The first is that the AI can, in fact, write useful code. The second is that it can get completely lost, fall down a rabbit hole, chase its own tail, and produce unusable garbage. Good read!
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