Just How Good is ChatGPT at Writing Code?

We’ve all been there, tired after endless hours spent staring at our screens, or wrestling with lines of code while desperately seeking that "aha" moment. You feel like a burden to your Tech Lead and/or Senior Developer because you keep constantly asking for help and strive to be self-sufficient. You keep up with the news and you hear about ChatGPT. Can this be your light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, yes it can.

In an era where technology is advancing at breakneck speed, ChatGPT has emerged as a shining star, showcasing the incredible capabilities of natural language processing. Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT has been trained on a vast corpus of text, absorbing the knowledge and patterns of language from countless sources. It can analyze prompts, understand context, and generate human-like responses. But it doesn't stop there! ChatGPT has also been exposed to a substantial amount of code, making it proficient in the language of programmers.

What Languages Can ChatGPT Write In?

First things first, let's talk about the programming languages that ChatGPT can write in. As a language model, ChatGPT has been trained on a vast database of text, which includes code snippets in various programming languages. This means that ChatGPT can write code in multiple programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, C++, Java, and more.

However, it's worth noting that ChatGPT's coding abilities are not limited to just writing code in a particular language. ChatGPT can also perform tasks such as code completion, syntax highlighting, and error checking, which can be extremely helpful for programmers who are looking to improve their coding efficiency. We talk about this more in depth in our AI Software Development Workshop.

How to Write Code with ChatGPT?

So, how can you start writing code with ChatGPT? Well, it's pretty simple. All you need to do is provide ChatGPT with a prompt, and it will generate code for you. For example, if you're looking to write a Python program to calculate the factorial of a number, you can provide ChatGPT with a prompt such as "Write a Python program to calculate the factorial of a number" and it will generate the code for you.

It's important to note that ChatGPT's code generation capabilities are not limited to just basic programs. It can also generate complex algorithms, machine learning models, and more. Of course, the quality of the generated code will depend on the prompt provided, so it's important to be as clear and concise as possible when providing prompts to ChatGPT.

What are some ChatGPT Coding Examples?

To give you an idea of just how good ChatGPT is at writing code, let's take a look at some coding examples generated by ChatGPT.

Example 1: Python program to reverse a string

Python

  
    def reverse_string(input_string):
    return input_string[::-1]
  

Example 2: JavaScript program to check if a number is prime

Javascript

  
    function isPrime(num) {
  for(let i = 2; i < num; i++)
    if(num % i === 0) return false;
  return num !== 1;
}
  

Example 3: C++ program to sort an array in ascending order

C++

  
    
    void selectionSort(int arr[], int n) {
    int i, j, min_idx;
    for (i = 0; i < n-1; i++)
    {
        min_idx = i;
        for (j = i+1; j < n; j++)
        if (arr[j] < arr[min_idx])
            min_idx = j;
        swap(&arr[min_idx], &arr[i]);
    }
}

  

As you can see, ChatGPT is capable of generating high-quality code that is syntactically correct and efficient.

How Can I Use ChatGPT To Help With Coding?

Now that you've seen some examples of ChatGPT's coding capabilities, you might be wondering how you can use it to help with your own coding projects. Here are some ways in which ChatGPT can be useful:

Code completion: If you're stuck on a particular piece of code, you can use ChatGPT to generate suggestions for how to complete it.

Code review: You can use ChatGPT to review your code and identify any errors or inefficiencies.

Algorithm generation: If you're struggling to come up with an algorithm for a particular problem, ChatGPT can generate algorithmic solutions based on your problem statement.

Code documentation: ChatGPT can help you generate documentation for your code, saving you time and effort.

Will ChatGPT Ever Replace Coders?

Now, let's address the elephant in the room: will ChatGPT ever replace coders? Well, while ChatGPT is undoubtedly a powerful tool for coding assistance, it's unlikely to replace human coders entirely.

Coding is not just about writing syntactically correct code; it's about problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. ChatGPT may be able to generate code based on prompts, but it lacks the contextual understanding and creativity that human coders bring to the table. Think of it more as a great tool in your toolbox rather than a crutch you can lean on.

Furthermore, coding is a constantly evolving field. New programming languages, frameworks, and technologies emerge all the time. While ChatGPT can adapt to some of these changes, it may struggle with more complex and specialized domains.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a fantastic tool that can significantly enhance your coding experience. It can write code in various languages, provide code completion, and assist with code review. However, human coders will continue to play a crucial role in software development, bringing their problem-solving skills, creativity, and adaptability to the table.

So, embrace ChatGPT as your coding buddy, but don't forget to nurture your own coding skills and continue to learn and grow as a programmer. Happy coding!