You have heard that ChatGPT can code, but whether it can solve complex coding problems like a programmer remains a mystery.
Undoubtedly, it can help simplify a programmer’s job, but replacing a programmer altogether remains farfetched.
Read on to learn how to use ChatGPT best to assist with coding problems.
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Can You Code With ChatGPT?
The short answer is yes, you can code using ChatGPT, but what it can generate remains a topic to be explored!
ChatGPT, developed by an aggressive research lab called OpenAI, is designed to solve various daily applications, and one of them is coding.
Using over 160 billion parameters, natural language prompts, and pre-training on every possible programming language, ChatGPT has become quite capable of generating a computer program independently.
It can write, debug, test, and improve code in JavaScript, Python, Go, Ruby, C++, C#, PHP, Swift, TypeScript, and SQL.
Additionally, it debugs the code and explains the fix so you can learn from your previous mistakes.
As an AI model, it can assist in coding in several ways.
- Generating code snippets based on a specific task or problem statement
- Providing explanations and examples of coding concepts and syntax
- Suggesting optimizations and improvements to existing code
- Debugging, explaining, and troubleshooting code errors
However, this state-of-the-art AI can only perform relatively limited tasks, and researchers claim they are nowhere near replacing human counterparts.
For example, ChatGPT can create a small gaming program like Tic-Tac-Toe using Python.
But, it fails to create a robust application like Instagram or Facebook because it is difficult to specify the behavior of the software and produce thousands of lines of code in a go.
How to Use ChatGPT For Coding? [With Examples]
ChatGPT has a great application in different coding tasks, which it does with quite a finesse.
Here are some examples of using ChatGPT for coding.
1. Generate Code Snippet
ChatGPT’s neural knowledge and experience in different programming languages will be helpful.
Ask ChatGPT to generate a code snippet in a specific language and define its function, and the chatbot will promptly generate it.
Here is an example: I asked ChatGPT to generate a Python code snippet to read a CSV file.
Here is another example: I asked ChatGPT to implement a binary search tree in Java.
Similarly, you can generate code snippets in almost every possible programming language.
2. Get Suggestions For Optimizing Codes
You can actively seek suggestions from ChatGPT for optimizing and completing codes.
One way is to use it to generate optimized code based on existing code snippets or descriptions of a problem.
Additionally, ChatGPT can provide suggestions to create a more efficient algorithm, data structures, or coding techniques for better performance.
Here is an example of how ChatGPT will optimize and complete code.
Similarly, you can ask ChatGPT for suggestions on improving your codes, especially for complex functions.
3. Debug Code To Prevent Errors
ChatGPT is a handy platform to debug and troubleshoot code errors so that you can locate and correct your mistake early.
The AI technology will quickly locate the bug using a machine learning approach and implement a quick fix or provide suggestions for improvement.
Hence, it would help save a programmer countless hours locating and fixing the bug.
4. Translate Code From One Language To Another
Another handy feature of ChatGPT for coding is that it will promptly translate your code from one language to another.
It will be helpful when you need to implement the same feature from one programming language or format to another.
For example, you can convert the following Excel formula to SQL on the go.
=IF(AND(A2>=90,B2>=90),"Pass with distinction", IF(AND(A2>=70,B2>=70),"Pass",IF(OR(A2<60,B2<60),"Fail","Retake"))).
5. Explain The Difference Between Two Functions
With a vast knowledge of programming, computer software, and architecture, ChatGPT can also become your guide.
It will help you learn the differences between two or more features, functions, or applications.
For example, here is how ChatGPT will explain the difference between a linked list and an array in data structures.
6. Explain Dynamic Programming
ChatGPT is quite good at explaining and solving dynamic programming issues.
A part of computer programming, dynamic programming helps solve problems by breaking them down into more minor sub-problems.
Here is an example of ChatGPT solving a complex algorithmic problem in Java.
7. Act As Linux Terminal
Did you know you can convert the ChatGPT interface into a Linux terminal?
Yes, with a slightly clever command, you can turn the ChatGPT interface into a Linux text interface and input requests to get the results.
Similarly, you can use Linux commands to create files and directories or compile and execute codes.
Here is an example.
8. Create an SQL Command Line
ChatGPT is well-developed to replace the work of SQLsmith and can generate random or complex SQL queries based on your input.
In fact, it can create the SQL command for various databases.
Here is an example of ChatGPT creating a table in SQL for an employee database.
Why Would ChatGPT Not Replace Programmers Despite Being Fluent in Coding?
ChatGPT has replaced most human input regarding coding, but its limitations may prevent it from replacing the programmers entirely.
Programming involves much more than just writing code. It is an amalgamation of skills, such as logic, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
While it provides solutions to specific problems, it lacks the creativity and intuition of a human programmer.
Here are five proven reasons why ChatGPT replacing human programmers is still farfetched.
- Lack of Creativity: It may be able to provide solutions to specific problems, but it lacks the innovative and creative skills of a human programmer.
- Limited Knowledge: Its capabilities are limited to the data it has been trained on, which does not include recent updates.
- Inability to Make Decisions: It helps implement specific requirements and decides the overall design or architecture.
- Lack of Domain-Specific Knowledge: It lacks the domain-specific knowledge required to create working software solutions for specific fields.
- Lacks Collaboration: Programming often involves collaborating and communicating complex technical information, which ChatGPT severely lacks.
Although it has successfully generated executable codes for small computer programs, creating robust software is still farfetched.
Furthermore, ChatGPT’s capabilities are limited to the data it has been trained on, the GPT model, and parameters.
Therefore, AI technology replacing human programmers altogether seems highly unlikely.
Final Thoughts
While ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for programmers, it cannot entirely replace a human programmer’s expertise, experience, and critical thinking skills.
However, every programmer should leverage this technology to implement, debug, and solve coding problems.
Sign up for ChatGPT and use it today if you have not created an account yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ChatGPT Reliable For Coding?
ChatGPT has been trained on a large corpus of code and programming-related data, which provides quick and accurate solutions to specific coding problems.
However, it may sometimes provide incorrect or suboptimal solutions, which require further inspection before implementation.
Can Programmers Use ChatGPT API to Code?
Yes, ChatGPT API includes all the features of AI technology.
Programmers can integrate it into their applications to perform code generation, optimization, and debugging tasks.
Does Using ChatGPT Costs Developers a Fee?
Yes, using ChatGPT API may incur costs for developers.
Because accessing the cloud-based service offered by OpenAI applies usage fees based on the number of API requests made and the resources consumed by those requests.
