This VS Code AI Coding Assistant Is A Game Changer!

Introduction

In today's video, I'm going to explore yet another VSS code AI coding assistant. Yes, I know what you're thinking - there are tons of these things now, but this really just might be the best free alternative to GitHub co-pilot, so let's check it out!

Codium: The Modern Coding Superpower

Codium is a sponsor of today's video, but the viewpoints expressed are my own. They call themselves The Modern Coding Superpower, and it seems like they have some impressive features. They are loved by hundreds of thousands of developers, support over 40 IDEs, and boast features such as multi-line auto-completion, chat and search functionalities, full repo context awareness, and more.

Free Alternative to GitHub Co-pilot

One of the standout features of Codium is that it is free for individuals. This sets it apart from some other AI coding assistants that require a paid subscription. Codium supports over 70 languages and 40+ IDEs, making it a versatile tool for developers. It even offers deployment options for both cloud and on-premises environments, making it suitable for companies with proprietary code.

Exploring Codium's Capabilities

In the video, I installed the Codium extension in VS Code and tested its functionalities. I asked Codium to create a basic Node.js Express server with a custom API endpoint for currency conversion. The AI chat assistant provided a thorough and fast solution, utilizing the HTTP package, node-fetch, and other necessary code snippets. Though there were slight modifications I made, the provided code seemed to work correctly.

Codium also excels in explaining code blocks and generating JS doc-style comments. It offers various context-aware AI chatbots for different technologies, allowing developers to seek guidance or examples specific to their needs. The Codium Live feature, accessible through their website, provides additional context and information about the technology you're using.

Trying Different Use Cases

In the video, I demonstrated the usage of Codium with other technologies like Bun.js and Next.js. Codium's AI chatbots were helpful in providing code examples and explanations tailored to these technologies. Whether it was a simple HTTP server in Bun.js or creating server actions in Next.js, Codium offered valuable suggestions and even helped with code refactoring and generating JS doc comments.

Tailwind CSS Integration

I also tested Codium's integration with Tailwind CSS. Asking Codium to add Tailwind classes to create cards with movie titles resulted in a satisfactory code snippet. It applied the appropriate classes for a black background, white text, rounded corners, and shadow. Although the generated cards may have looked a bit off, Codium proved capable of assisting with CSS styling and implementation.

Conclusion: A Powerful Coding Assistant

Codium, the VS Code AI coding assistant, appears to be a game-changer for developers. While it is not perfect and does not write all the code for you, it significantly speeds up coding tasks and provides valuable assistance. Its free individual plan makes it accessible to developers of all levels. Give Codium a try and experience the benefits it offers.

Keywords

Codium, AI coding assistant, VS Code, GitHub co-pilot, free alternative, multi-line auto-completion, chat and search, full repo context awareness, individual plan, deployment options, Node.js Express server, custom API endpoint, currency conversion, AI chatbots, Bun.js, Next.js, Tailwind CSS integration, code refactoring, JS doc comments, powerful coding assistant.

FAQ

Q: Is Codium free to use?
A: Yes, Codium offers a free plan for individual users, making it a cost-effective option for developers.

Q: Can Codium be integrated with different technologies and IDEs?
A: Absolutely! Codium supports over 70 languages and 40+ IDEs, making it versatile and suitable for a wide range of development environments.

Q: Does Codium write all the code for you?
A: No, Codium is an AI coding assistant that assists developers in coding tasks but still requires users to understand and modify the suggested code snippets.

Q: How accurate is Codium's code generation?
A: While Codium provides helpful code suggestions, it's important to review and test the generated code to ensure accuracy and compatibility with your specific project.

Q: Can Codium help with CSS styling?
A: Yes, Codium offers assistance with CSS styling, as demonstrated by its integration with Tailwind CSS in the video. However, some adjustments and fine-tuning may be required depending on the desired outcome.

Q: What are the deployment options for Codium?
A: Codium can be deployed both in cloud environments and on-premises, making it suitable for companies with proprietary code that requires additional security measures.