My thoughts on using AI to learn to code as a self taught developer

Introduction

In recent one-on-one sessions, a common question keeps coming up: Should someone learning to code utilize AI to aid their journey? As a self-taught developer, I have my own thoughts on this topic, which I wanted to share in this article. Using AI for coding has become a major talking point, sparking fear, uncertainty, and doubt among newcomers who worry that AI might eliminate the need for junior developers. However, from my experience, it's unlikely that AI will take our jobs any time soon.

Understanding AI as a Tool

While AI is beneficial for many tasks, it does have its limitations. It's excellent for basic coding questions but struggles when faced with complex problems requiring deep understanding. I have tested tools like ChatGPT-3.5 and the GPT-4 preview and found them to be helpful without being a replacement for foundational coding knowledge.

A large language model (LLM) is essentially an advanced predictive text system trained on vast amounts of data from books, articles, and websites. This allows it to generate human-like text by predicting likely next words based on input. It's essential to remember that despite its capabilities, AI isn't "smart" in the human sense and is mainly just advanced autocomplete.

With this understanding, it’s clear that when you encounter a coding problem, AI can provide quick answers instead of spending hours sifting through Stack Overflow posts or blog articles. For budding programmers, using AI may feel like cheating, similar to when I felt guilty for Googling answers during my learning phase. However, coding involves problem-solving, and AI should be viewed as a helpful tool, not a crutch.

Finding the Balance

While I advocate for using AI in your learning process, struggling through problems is also crucial. Struggling leads to significant learning moments and builds problem-solving skills. A beginner's approach to using AI should differ from that of someone with more experience. Although AI can supply answers instantly, beginners need to engage their thinking skills to solidify their understanding.

Experienced developers often use AI to enhance productivity, such as eliminating boilerplate code. However, they still read documentation and think critically about architectural decisions. When beginners allow AI to solve all their problems, they might miss the chance to genuinely learn how to navigate and debug their code, which can lead to confusion down the road.

Much like the rubber ducky debugging technique—where you explain your problem to an inanimate object—using AI can help you think through issues. In many instances, simply explaining the problem to AI leads you to arrive at the answer yourself.

How to Integrate AI into Your Learning

For beginners, my advice is not to limit yourself or feel guilty about seeking quick answers. Embrace the tools available. However, set a personal rule, like spending a specific amount of time (around 20 minutes) trying to solve a problem independently before consulting AI. This will encourage you to grapple with fundamental concepts while still having the support of AI.

Using AI early in your coding journey can also help bridge the gap experienced learners face when trying to break out of "tutorial hell." This situation occurs when one has consumed numerous tutorials but struggles to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios. As AI becomes more advanced, it'll help facilitate this transition more smoothly.

Although you should be acquiring some basic understanding of programming concepts, don't hold back from leveraging AI. Ask it foundational questions or for project suggestions. The sooner you start integrating AI into your practice, the better equipped you’ll be to utilize this tool effectively.

Conclusion

To sum up, embracing AI tools like ChatGPT can be a game-changer for self-taught developers. They can accelerate your learning, aid in problem-solving, and help you transition from novice to proficient programmer. My main takeaway is: don't shy away from using AI in your coding journey. It's here to stay, and utilizing this resource can help you thrive in an evolving tech landscape.

Keyword

AI, self-taught developer, coding, problem-solving, rubber ducky debugging, tutorial hell, ChatGPT, learning, programming.

FAQ

1. Should I use AI while learning to code?
Yes, using AI can accelerate your learning and help solve basic problems more efficiently.

2. Does using AI mean I'm cheating?
Not at all! AI is a tool to assist you, but you should still put in the effort to understand fundamental concepts on your own.

3. Can AI replace junior developers?
While AI can assist in coding tasks, it is unlikely to replace junior developers entirely, especially in complex problem-solving situations.

4. How can I balance using AI and learning?
Set a time limit (e.g., 20 minutes) to struggle with a problem before consulting AI. This promotes independent thinking and problem-solving.

5. What is "tutorial hell"?
"Tutorial hell" occurs when learners consume content without being able to apply it in real-world scenarios. AI can help bridge this gap by providing tailored answers.