Hey everyone! I'm a newbie here and currently taking a Coursera course on Python fundamentals through UPenn. Lately, I've been using CoPilot while I code and it's honestly made the experience so much more enjoyable. At first, I worried it might feel unethical or too much like cheating, but I feel it's really helped me understand the material much better compared to when I first took this course during my undergrad. I'm curious if anyone else feels similarly or has any tips for someone who's diving back into learning Python in this AI age. I'm not letting the auto-suggestions completely dictate my coding, but I find it amazing how often it seems to preempt my next line of thought before I can even type it out. It feels pretty cool!
6 Answers
Totally get where you're coming from! The key with tools like CoPilot is how you use them. Just like when we had calculators that could solve complex problems, the potential to cheat is there, but it's all about learning from the tool. Don't rely solely on it; use it to enhance your understanding instead! I've done something similar with math tools in the past and found it really beneficial for getting to grips with concepts by generating extra practice problems for myself.
I've found AI super helpful too! The trick is to stay engaged with what it's suggesting and ask questions if you're unsure. As a developer, I often now use it to explore areas that are new to me. You can learn so much about different technologies by just paying attention to its suggestions and using them to expand your knowledge.
Same here! My whole team was nervous about using tools like CoPilot at first, worried it would dilute their skills. But after a few months, I've seen everyone start branching out into each other's fields. It’s been great to witness—a real game changer since I can't always spend one-on-one time to guide them!
That’s reassuring! I was worried about that narrative that using AI is somehow 'cheating.' I’m really focused on fundamentally grasping the concepts and not just letting it take over my coding. I love how it gives suggestions that help me form a better understanding. This feels like such an exciting development!
CoPilot has saved me hours since I started using Python! Didn’t even know it existed two weeks ago and already, I’m automating scripts like a pro. I just want to reach a level where I fully understand the code I’m writing. CoPilot's suggestions are really helpful in that regard, especially when syntax errors trip you up. It prompts ideas that spark those 'lightbulb' moments!
Just a note from someone who uses AI in professional coding: I always make sure to understand everything fully before rolling out any code, whether it’s AI-generated or not. Automation helps a lot, but having solid test coverage is crucial. Especially when you're learning, writing tests for your code can really help you think critically about how it works, like what happens if an API call fails.
Are you using Visual Studio or VS Code?
Oh goodness me, yes, I'm all about VS Code!
I 100% agree. Thank you!