How Is ChatGPT Useful in Coding

Today's dynamic world is constantly being revolutionized by technology. AI has become crucial for driving innovation across industries. However, ChatGPT has become a widely used AI tool, quickly gaining popularity across organizations. Since its launch, businesses have been using it to streamline tasks and enhance efficiency. 

What is ChatGPT?  

ChatGPT was created by OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research company, on November 30, 2022.  

In short, ChatGPT can understand natural language and respond to users' queries. It can assist employees with various tasks, including project management, content creation, and even writing code.  

In this article, we will understand how ChatGPT is useful in coding. 

1. Code Generation: 

ChatGPT can generate code snippets based on natural language input. For example, if a user asks for code to calculate the average of a list of numbers in Python, ChatGPT can provide it.

Fig. 1: ChatGPT provides the Python code to calculate the average of a list of numbers. 

2. Debugging the code: 

ChatGPT can assist or guide you in debugging the code snippet errors, suggesting potential errors in the code, and helping to find and fix the coding errors. 

Fig. 2: Here, let me explain a Python code; with an error. 

def calculate_average(numbers)

    total = 0

   for num in numbers:

        total += num

    average = total / len(numbers

    return average

# Test the function

numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]

avg = calculate_average(numbers)

print("The average is:", avg)

# Intentional error: Missing colon after the if statement

if avg > 25

    print("The average is greater than 25.")

else:

    print("The average is not greater than 25.")

As you can see from the above screenshot, ChatGPT is not only debugging the code; it is also assisting us with the errors that we made. 

3. Code completion 

Even if an incomplete code is provided, ChatGPT can assist you by completing the code snippet.

For example, if a user enters Prompt martplot, ChatGPT can suggest importing matplotlib' as the completed code.  

from marplot imprt pyplot as pit

x=[7, 14, 13]

y=[1, 4, 18]

plt.plot(x,y)

plt.tile('information')

plt.show()

Fig. 3: This figure shows how ChatGPT is completing the code with the wrong Prompt. 

4. Code Refactoring  

Code refactoring involves restructuring the code without modifying its original functionality. Programmers and software developers conduct refactoring to enhance the design, structure, and implementation of software. It enhances code readability and reduces complexity.

Fig. 4: ChatGPT refactors the complex Java code into simpler code. 

Here I have given a Prompt to ChatGPT by giving Java code saying; My Java code is complex can you guide me into making it simpler. 

public class Factorial { 

    public static void main(String[] args) { 

        int number = 5; 

        long factorial = computeFactorial(number); 

        System.out.println("Factorial of " + number + " is: " + factorial); 

    } 

    public static long computeFactorial(int n) { 

        if (n == 0) { 

            return 1; 

        } else { 

            return n * computeFactorial(n - 1); 

        } 

    } 

}  

Output of the ChatGPT for the Prompt I have given 

5. Code Documentation 

Code documentation serves as written material integrated within computer programs, aimed at explaining the functionality and design of classes, modules, functions, and variables. It plays a crucial role in simplifying tasks related to maintenance, debugging, and reusability.

ChatGPT usage for Developers 

Developers can design various NLP applications through the API paradigm, including chatbots, question-answering systems, sentiment analysis, text summarization, and language translation. As a viable alternative to Google, ChatGPT fulfills those needs with ease. ChatGPT refines its syntax and provides code for reference. Leveraging OpenAI’s GPT-3 model enables asking the question and getting the answer. Subsequently, after receiving the output response, you can integrate it into your application. 

Comparing ChatGPT with Human Coders 

Aspect	ChatGPT	Human Coders
Consistency	ChatGPT ensures code is written correctly, eliminating the possibility of mistakes over time.	Human mistakes may be possible over time because humans IQs are not better than the ChatGPT
Speed	ChatGPT completes coding tasks significantly faster due to its rapid information processing capabilities.	Traditional programmers typically take longer to write code, slowing down project completion.
Multi-tasking	ChatGPT can handle multiple projects simultaneously, reducing the overall project duration.	Humans are limited in their ability to multitask effectively due to the brain's single-task focus.
Availability	ChatGPT is accessible around-the-clock, enabling coding tasks to be performed regardless of time or location.	Human coders are constrained by other tasks and cannot effectively work around-the-clock.

Here are a few other applications of ChatGPT will surely grow in the future 

1.    Conversational AI: ChatGPT's capabilities can be leveraged to develop chatbots, virtual assistants, and other solutions for customer support.

2.    Content Creation: ChatGPT can proficiently generate content ranging from articles and poetry to music and visual creations.

3.    Translation of different languages: ChatGPT enables seamless translation of text between different languages.

4.    Predictive Typing: ChatGPT utilizes the provided context to predict and generate phrases or paragraphs.

Conclusion: 

In summary, ChatGPT simplifies coding tasks with its ability to generate code, debug errors, complete code snippets, refactor code, and document projects. Compared to traditional methods, it offers consistency, speed, multitasking capabilities, and accessibility. ChatGPT's role in technology is set to continue growing, reshaping how we work and innovate in the digital age. 

If you're interested in acquiring knowledge about ChatGPT, then I urge you to check out Skill Up Right’s ChatGPT Training programme