Hey everyone! This is my first post, so I hope I get the format right! I'm a solo developer with about a year of experience, having completed a bootcamp but not following a structured curriculum afterward. Lately, I've been relying on AI for a lot of my coding tasks—like pasting error messages, seeking help with new tools, and brainstorming ideas. While I don't just copy and paste code, I do start off with AI-generated introductions to new tools and then build on those. However, I'm starting to feel like this is hindering my growth as a developer. I've made the decision to completely stop using AI, especially since I'm in the midst of a big solo project and can reach out for help only when I'm stuck for a few hours. I'm looking for advice on how to break this habit and learn effectively on my own. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
I take a different approach by using a mix of AI and personal effort. I ask it questions and get ideas, but when coding, I usually check the functions I get from AI to ensure they make sense before integrating them. It helps me stay aware of what's happening and prepares me for debugging down the line. Just be cautious not to get lazy; blindly copying can lead to confusion later!
AI can be a great asset for quick proofs of concept, but you’re right to focus on deep learning first. It’s definitely getting better and worse at the same time, but your choice to learn deeply will really pay off in the long run!
It's awesome that you're taking a step back from AI to grow your skills! To really understand programming, it's crucial to dive deep into concepts. If you feel AI is a bit too much of a crutch, just don’t use it—sounds simple, but it’s effective!
I totally respect your decision to go cold turkey! I did something similar when I realized I was just becoming good at prompting AI rather than actually coding. One tip: keep a notebook, whether physical or digital. Note down the solutions you solve yourself; it really helps strengthen your understanding way more than copying from AI ever could!
Definitely! Writing things down helps me process and remember. I’ll start keeping track of my pseudo code and questions as well. Thanks!
I appreciate the straightforwardness! I get that feeling too, like I rely on it too much sometimes. Thanks for the nudge!