Should I Type Out Code or Just Copy and Paste It?

Typing out code by hand has its perks! Firstly, it helps you build muscle memory of the syntax and coding patterns, which is crucial when you're starting out. Plus, doing it manually makes you think more about each segment, giving you a deeper understanding. It’s like learning a language; you really absorb it by using it.

I often just copy and paste short snippets that are clear, but I always take a moment to review and understand each piece afterwards. If the code is complex, then I'm more likely to type it out line by line to ensure I grasp it fully.

The key is understanding the code. Everyone learns differently; some might grasp it quickly just by looking, while others need to type it out to comprehend it better. You could also use a debugger to step through the code and really see how it functions. The important takeaway is to ensure you're not just treating code as a magic formula that you blindly paste into your project.

When you get code from AI, read it, understand it, and then type it out without looking back at the AI. If you can't write it down, you might not have fully understood it. This process also lets you develop your own coding style instead of just replicating the AI’s output.

The best part of typing the code yourself is that it forces you to process what you're doing. Especially with AI-generated code, which can sometimes be confidently wrong, typing it out encourages you to question everything and gain a proper foundation.