A Fool With a Tool Is Still a Fool

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a big part of modern software development. Many expert developers are using AI to help them work better and faster. But for new developers, using AI can be tough. It might even lead them to become worse at coding instead of better. Let's look at this strange situation and explore a few real-life examples.

AI is a Helpful Tool, Not a Boss?

AI tools like GitHub's CoPilot and OpenAI's ChatGPT are really useful for coding. They can help with finishing code, fixing errors, and even writing large pieces of code. Experienced developers use these tools to help with the boring parts of coding, leaving them more time to tackle the tough problems. But it's important to remember that AI is there to help, not to take over.

For example, imagine a developer is working on a part of a banking app that handles transactions. AI tools can suggest code for connecting to the database and running queries. But they can't fully understand the specific rules that the developer needs to follow. Expert developers know this and can use AI's suggestions along with their own ideas. In this way, AI becomes a helpful teammate rather than a crutch.

The AI Trap for Beginner Developers

New developers might run into problems with AI. The ease of using AI and the speed at which it can create code can be tempting. This might lead them to depend too much on AI without really understanding how the code works.

Think about a beginner who wants to write a sorting algorithm. An AI tool could quickly create the code for a quicksort algorithm. But this might mean the beginner misses out on learning how sorting works and why quicksort is a good choice.?

Also, these AI tools aren't perfect. They might suggest code that isn't the best solution or doesn't follow best practices. A beginner who takes every AI suggestion as correct might learn the wrong things and might struggle with problem-solving, which is a key skill in coding.

Using AI Wisely: Best Practices?

I've had many instances where AI didn't quite hit the mark with my unique coding challenges. For instance, I was once working on a complex query involving inheritance. The AI tools offered solutions based on a more traditional inheritance model, but in my case, composition was a more suitable approach. However, the AI couldn't grasp this need due to the complexity and specificity of the task.

The key takeaway? AI is a powerful tool, but it needs to be used judiciously. It's important to scrutinize the AI's suggestions and ensure they fit your requirements. Remember, AI is here to assist us, not to override our critical thinking or creativity.