These AI TOOLS will help you CODE BETTER

AI is ubiquitous, and the key to thriving in this new landscape is leveraging it to your advantage. While programming jobs might decrease over the next five to ten years, AI offers numerous benefits for large-scale and personal projects today.

I've been exploring and using various AI tools designed specifically for software engineers. Below, I'll delve into what these tools do and how they can enhance your software engineering workflow. Note that this article focuses on AI tools that assist in coding and development, not AI to be implemented as a product or service. Let's dive in.

1. ChatGPT

By now, you're probably familiar with ChatGPT, and while it is often promoted for its generative AI capabilities, its primary value for software engineers lies in quickly answering questions. Instead of bothering senior developers, you can ask ChatGPT anything you need. It’s highly effective for refactoring code, writing unit tests, and much more. But for generative coding tasks, GitHub Copilot may be a better fit.

2. GitHub Copilot X

GitHub Copilot X, released in March 2023, brings ChatGPT directly into your IDE. It can generate code based on plain English prompts, refactor code, write unit tests, debug, and much more. Additionally, it can search documentation and provide tutorials. A standout feature is voice coding, which allows you to dictate code directly. From generating pull request messages to aiding CLI tasks, Copilot X is an invaluable tool for software engineers.

3. Other Generative AI Tools

Several other AI tools focus on code generation, although they are yet to surpass GitHub Copilot. These include Code T5, Tab 9, and Polycoder. While alternatives exist, none match Copilot's current capabilities.

4. Productivity Tools: Microsoft 365 Copilot & Google Workspace AI

Both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Workspace AI can streamline your workflow. These tools can summarize email threads in Outlook or Gmail, generate emails, and analyze data in Excel or Sheets. They can take notes during client meetings and create complete documents or presentations from these notes. These tools are particularly useful for teams, freelancers, or anyone managing client relations.

5. Image Generative AI

For those needing bespoke images, DALL-E 2 and MidJourney offer excellent solutions. However, Adobe Firefly stands out with its enhanced customization, from text-based video editing to creating unique posters and 3D compositions.

6. Bing with ChatGPT Integration

Instead of using traditional search engines, consider Bing with ChatGPT integrated into Microsoft Edge. It can provide comprehensive answers and combine information from various sources, making it an effective tool for software engineers.

In summary, while traditional tools and methods still have their place, these AI tools can significantly improve coding efficiency, client relations, and overall workflow. They allow you to focus more on problem-solving and less on administrative or repetitive tasks.

Keywords

AI tools
software engineering
ChatGPT
GitHub Copilot X
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Google Workspace AI
DALL-E 2
MidJourney
Adobe Firefly
Bing with ChatGPT
coding efficiency

FAQ

Q: What is the main advantage of ChatGPT for software engineers?
A: ChatGPT helps by quickly answering questions, refactoring code, and writing unit tests, reducing the need to consult senior developers.

Q: How does GitHub Copilot X improve the coding process?
A: Copilot X integrates directly into your IDE to generate, refactor, and debug code. It also assists with documentation, voice coding, and CLI tasks.

Q: How can Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Workspace AI enhance productivity?
A: These tools can summarize email threads, generate emails, analyze data, take meeting notes, and create documents or presentations, streamlining the overall workflow.

Q: What image generative AI tools are recommended?
A: DALL-E 2, MidJourney, and Adobe Firefly are the top choices, with Firefly offering the most customization options.

Q: Why should software engineers consider using Bing with ChatGPT integration?
A: Bing with ChatGPT provides comprehensive answers and combines information from multiple sources, making it a more effective search tool.