How to use ChatGPT to write code

OpenAI’s ChatGPT falls into the category of generative AI, which is a type of artificial intelligence that generates new or novel content based on data it’s been trained on. This means that ChatGPT can act as your partner programmer in addition to writing articles, jokes, and poems for you. So let's get started and see how you may utilize it to work more effectively.

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Can ChatGPT write code?

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As a large language model, ChatGPT is all about text. And that text includes—lucky for you!—code. It can write code snippets in popular programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, C#, PHP, and Java. Or generate sample CSV input for a data science problem. Or create bash scripts or infrastructure-as-code templates in JSON or YAML. And a lot more.

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Should you code with ChatGPT?

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So. Just because you can write code with ChatGPT, does that mean you should? Various viewpoints exist on this. On the one hand, some claim that utilizing an AI tool to develop code demonstrates your laziness and lack of independent thought. On the other hand, others claim that using ChatGPT can speed up programming, giving you more time to concentrate on more crucial issues like architecture, best practices, and business requirements.

We can understand both points of view. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons.

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The pros

• ChatGPT makes it quick and simple to generate code. Why not reduce the time it takes to locate a code sample if you were heading to Google or StackOverflow anyway?
• When it comes to syntax, ChatGPT typically gets it right, potentially saving you time from having to hunt down compile-time or runtime problems that people sometimes make when writing new code.
• You might discover some new approaches to problems that you wouldn't have considered otherwise by using ChatGPT for coding.
• With explanations and code all in one interface, ChatGPT simplifies learning new languages and ideas quicker and simpler.

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The cons

• Although ChatGPT is truly amazing and artificial intelligence has come a long way, it is not always accurate. It makes errors the same as we do. And when it commits those errors, sometimes it does so with great confidence. As a result, you still need to test, debug, and inspect it like you have in the past.
• The overall context for what you're building and why is missing from ChatGPT. Yes, it can provide you with a code fragment or even a whole code file. However, it won't comprehend the customs or best practices specific to your business or project. That code's potential impact on other code is unknown. It is unable to comprehend demands for performance, security, privacy, accessibility, and other factors. Again, the final decision on the code that ships rests with you as a human.

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How does ChatGPT help to grow your coding skills?

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ChatGPT can reduce the amount of time it takes to do many things. It successfully compiles data from the various sources it received training from and delivers it to you in a single interface. Additionally, it explains what the code does and, on occasion, even suggests alternatives. It's similar to having a live tutor by your side as you write and study the code. ChatGPT uses natural language processing for both input and output, which is a big benefit for learning. Simply ask questions in straightforward English, as if to a friend or mentor. To ask the inquiry, you don't need to know the precise technical jargon or grammar.

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Will ChatGPT replace programmers? Can I use ChatGPT to do my job for me?

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The "AI revolution" was further accelerated by ChatGPT, which is outstanding, and new tools and features are being released daily. It will also keep improving because it is always learning from user feedback and fresh data. Therefore, it prompts the question, "Will ChatGPT take my job?" Keep in mind that the main responsibility of a programmer is to convert business requirements into code. That calls for extensive investigation, originality, critical thinking, weighing of alternatives, architecting, optimization, and other skills. I don't believe ChatGPT poses a danger to the fact that humans are considerably better at certain talents than robots.

You need to understand how technology functions to ask the proper questions and verify the answers that ChatGPT provides you with, as we've seen from the instances above. To utilize ChatGPT for developer-related purposes efficiently, you must be a proficient developer. But let it handle the tiresome work you'll probably have to undertake nonetheless. To put it briefly, I believe ChatGPT will be utilized to speed up work, exactly like IntelliSense, static code analysis, autocomplete, compile-time error checking, automated testing, IDEs, and other developer tools have for years. It adds to the toolkit you can use to become a quicker and better programmer.

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Conclusion

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It's all done now! Hopefully, you now have a clear understanding of how ChatGPT can help you improve your everyday software development abilities. ChatGPT is a potent tool to make it happen, whether you're an experienced developer who wants to type less or a rookie who wants to learn a new programming language. It's like having a pair of programmers who is an experts by your side, but keep in mind that you still need to validate the expert.

In the next post, we will look at how you can use ChatGPT to write code in Shopify Themes and how to develop Shopify Apps.

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