Article : Using AI to Write, Debug, and Learn Coding Practices for Free.

AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot have become game-changers in the world of coding.

They’re especially useful for writing code, debugging errors, creating WordPress add-ons, and even teaching coding best practices—all for free or at a low cost. Both tools are fantastic for beginners and seasoned developers, offering insights that save time and help improve coding skills.

However, while they’re powerful, it’s still important to know the basics of the language you’re working with. AI can make mistakes, and a bit of background knowledge is crucial to using these tools effectively. Below, we’ll explore what ChatGPT and Copilot offer and resources for learning PHP and other languages to help you make the most of them.

ChatGPT: Your Coding Companion

Overview
ChatGPT, by OpenAI, is a free conversational AI that can answer questions, explain concepts, and generate code across multiple languages. ChatGPT can provide snippets, templates, and advice on coding best practices, whether you’re writing PHP, JavaScript, HTML, or CSS. It’s also useful for WordPress development, as it can assist in creating shortcodes, plugins, and add-ons by providing step-by-step coding assistance and debugging support.

Pros

• Versatile Language Support: ChatGPT covers PHP, JavaScript, Python, and many other languages, making it ideal for diverse coding projects.
• Step-by-Step Explanations: Perfect for beginners, ChatGPT explains its code suggestions, helping you understand not just what to do but why.
• Debugging Assistance: ChatGPT can analyze your code, identify potential errors, and suggest fixes, making it a great troubleshooting companion.

Cons

• Prone to Mistakes: ChatGPT can sometimes miss nuances or make small errors, so double-checking its code is essential.
• Limited Context in Free Version: ChatGPT can only remember a limited amount of conversation history, so that context can get lost in long sessions.

How to Use ChatGPT Effectively

1. Start Simple: Begin by asking for help with a single concept or function. ChatGPT works best with straightforward prompts.
2. Ask for Explanations: To learn more, ask ChatGPT to explain why it chose certain solutions or coding practices.
3. Use for WordPress Add-Ons: ChatGPT can generate code for WordPress add-ons by helping create functions, shortcodes, and custom fields.

To try it out, visit OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

GitHub Copilot: Your In-Editor AI Assistant

Overview
GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code completion tool developed by GitHub and OpenAI. While Copilot isn’t entirely free, it offers a free trial. It is deeply integrated into editors like VS Code, which makes it highly accessible and useful for coding within your workspace. It’s excellent for both creating new code and optimizing existing code, suggesting functions, completing lines, and generating entire code blocks. Copilot works especially well for WordPress projects, helping generate PHP functions, JavaScript scripts, and HTML/CSS for more complex customization.

Pros

• Integrated with Code Editors: Copilot works directly within VS Code, helping you code without needing to switch windows.
• Predictive Suggestions: Copilot provides autocomplete suggestions based on your code’s context, speeding up coding and reducing errors.
• Great for Learning: By following Copilot’s recommendations, you can learn syntax and best practices without manually searching for examples.

Cons

• Subscription Required After Trial: Copilot is only free for a limited trial period, so it’s worth testing to see if it fits your workflow.
• Best for Those with Basic Knowledge: Because Copilot focuses on completing code rather than explaining it, beginners may find it more useful if they already understand coding fundamentals.

How to Use GitHub Copilot Effectively

1. Try the Free Trial: Install Copilot in VS Code and take advantage of the trial to explore how it fits into your workflow.
2. Use in Combination with ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a great complement to Copilot for explanations and debugging help.
3. Focus on Code Completeness: Let Copilot handle repetitive tasks and help structure larger code blocks, such as for WordPress plugins and add-ons.

You can get started with Copilot here.

Why Knowing a Little of the Language Matters

While ChatGPT and Copilot are powerful, they aren’t foolproof. They sometimes make mistakes, suggest inefficient code, or miss the context of your particular project. A basic understanding of the language you’re working with is important to spot potential issues and make the most of AI’s assistance.

Resources for Learning PHP and Other Programming Languages

• W3Schools: A beginner-friendly resource with interactive tutorials on PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and more.
• PHP.net: PHP’s official documentation, offering comprehensive guides on PHP functions, classes, and syntax.
• CodeCademy: Offers PHP and JavaScript courses with real-time coding practice.
• freeCodeCamp: Covers a wide range of programming topics and offers projects to help you practice coding.

By combining these resources with AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, you’ll be able to develop and debug code faster, learn best practices along the way, and feel more confident in your coding skills.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your workflow, these tools provide an amazing opportunity to accelerate learning and development.