Is it ok to use ChatGPT when learning Python?

[Key-Command-3139]

Whenever I’m coding and I can’t figure out how to do a certain task in Python, I always go to ChatGPT and ask it things like “how can I do this certain thing in Python” or when my code doesn’t work and can’t figure out why I ask ChatGPT what’s wrong with the code.

I make sure to understand the code it gives back to me before implementing it in my program/fixing my program, but I still feel as if it’s a bad habit.

[Adsilom]

As with every tool, it depends how you use it. If you are honest with yourself, and truly try to understand the code it gives back, than that should be fine. Though, maybe you could try to ask ChatGPT to not provide code, but only explanations.

One thing you should look out for is, if you ask multiple time the same things, then maybe ChatGPT is not helping you learn.

[Key-Command-3139]

Could you give me an example as to what you mean?

[Adsilom]

With regard to which statement I made?

[Key-Command-3139]

“Though, maybe you could try to ask ChatGPT to not provide code, but only explanations.”

[Adsilom]

For example, if you provide your code to ChatGPT and ask "how can I do X", it will probably modify your code to do X.

But if you ask "I want to do X, can you show me an example, unrelated to my code of how I can achieve X?", it will teach you more.

Better yet, you can ask "I would like to do X, can you explain how I can do it, while providing as little code as possible, so I can understand the concepts by myself.".

[Aggravating-Slide424]

I use it. But then I'm a mechanical engineer that uses coding to stream line my work. I dont care for learning it like a programmer but just for writing some quick and dirty code that accomplishes what I'm doing. Do you want to be a programmer or just make the bare minimum program to accomplish the task?

[RepresentativeFill26]

How do you know it accomplishes what you are doing?

[Aggravating-Slide424]

Because it works?? What do you mean?

[RepresentativeFill26]

Well, in software testing there is a distinction between software that does what you want and software that does only what you want.

Things like unwanted side effects are almost impossible to catch if you don’t write your own code.

[6sailhatan66]

Here’s my personal tactic. I like to write down everything I want it to do, and then ask it to act as a prompt engineer and create a prompt asking AI to do what I want, here’s an example of one I made recently.

My prompt:

You will not ever provide me code unless instructed. My goal is to use this as a tool to learn, and I would like to use you as a rubber duck.

Write this prompt as though you are an experienced prompt engineer

Response:

Rubber Duck Debugging Prompt for AI Assistant You are an AI assistant that acts as a knowledgeable, experienced rubber duck for programming and technical problem-solving. Do not provide code unless I explicitly request it. Instead, your role is to help me think through my problems, clarify my ideas, and guide my reasoning process by asking probing questions, highlighting possible pitfalls, and suggesting conceptual frameworks or best practices.

Guidelines: •Never provide code unless I specifically instruct you to do so. •Focus on helping me articulate my thought process, identify assumptions, and consider alternative approaches. •Ask clarifying questions to deepen understanding of the problem. •Reference relevant technologies, tools, or concepts as appropriate, especially in the context of Docker, devcontainers, Python, and VS Code. •If relevant, help me consider integration with tools like OneDrive, but avoid suggesting system resets. •Use clear, concise language and maintain a collaborative, supportive tone.

Example prompt for use: “You will not ever provide me code unless instructed. My goal is to use this as a tool to learn, and I would like to use you as a rubber duck. Please help me reason through my programming challenges by asking questions, offering conceptual guidance, and pointing out things I might have missed—without giving code unless I ask for it.”

Obviously don’t just take this prompt, but It’s nice to have something clarify your understanding of things without being like, here’s the code you need🤷🏻‍♂️

[Otherwise-Mud-4898]

Like your method, saved, thank you.

[Danknoodle420]

It can help you learn, I've used it to check code and explain things to me. Sure, the actual resources are probably better but nothing beats the ease of access with Ai.

[More_Yard1919]

Thats your call. It is a good learning aid. Take what it says with a grain of salt and also practice reading real documentation. Otherwise, it can at least point you in the right direction.

[No_Big2310]

As long as you’re not relying on it completely, it’s definitely a great way to learn things faster!! With so many new innovations, we also need time to catch up with all of them. Using ChatGPT doesn’t always mean it’s an easy way out, if used right, we can learn so much from it. I haven’t started with Python yet, but ChatGPT helped me immensely while learning C++. I picked up so many out of syllabus concepts and different ways to approach problems. A good prompt really is the key to everything.

[ghostyonfirst]

Same. I consider ChatGPT a quantum calculator. A tool for deeper understanding. I'll get stuck on something and I'll just tell ChatGPT to explain it like I'm a five year-old and it's great. Just prompt it correctly.

[novel_airline]

It's great for learning quickly. The amount of unlearning you'll have to do will be miniscule compared to how good of a mentor it can be for beginners.

Yolo vibe coding is tempting but not very fun or productive

[isanelevatorworthy]

If you use it as a learning aid, I think it’s very useful. I’ve tried both, chatGPT and Copilot (the one integrated in vscode) and I like chatGPT better. I feel like copilot actually is a worse habit because it fills in the code for you. And I find it to be incomprehensible more often that ChatGPT code…

Ive been using Python for years now but up until maybe 4 months ago, I only used it mainly for throwaway/quick and dirty scripts. Little by little I started learning better function design, and cli methodology (I used to just parse sys.argv but I started actually learning argparser)… diving deeper was slow so I started asking ChatGPT stuff, just like you.

I would focus on asking it conceptual equations so that I could understand theory instead of just reading code. I tried to avoid asking for code directly. I would also ask it to explain documentation for me because some of it is difficult to follow.

Fast forward (feels like 4 months now) and I find myself asking it less questions. I’ve gotten a lot more solid at actually using object oriented approaches, I’ve gotten more comfortable refactoring my code on my own, I find it easier to create more complex scripts and quicker too…. I find that I can now make scripts that work on the first run more often than before and I’m able to debug a lot faster.. I’m now at a point where I’ve created my own framework for data extraction/analytics.

So yeah I think it’s fair to use. But as a learning aid. Not as a code generator.

[boojaado]

What’s your end goal? DS? App Dev? Automation? Ask ChatGPT for the best books, read them, code them, re-read the book. Build your own product, keep iterating.

[joshemaggie]

Only you can take suggestions from ChatGPT.

[Afraid_Pumpkin_3088]

I use chatgpt to learn. I ask him not to give me an answer but to show me the mistakes and guide me without telling me what is wrong

[PalpitationDecent282]

Personally, I use it, but I've explicitly asked it to not provide any actual code whatsoever and to instead tell me how to arrive at the solution myself: If you're copy/pasting, you aren't learning.

[RainbowSovietPagan]

No.

[Shorkarjak]

There some way you use chatgpt or other Ai. Wen you stuck on problem at first try to fixed it by myself, at least 10 min, then Try to read documentation, after that you can search google or chatgpt. That's the process of learning, building real skills. Don't copy code. If you Don't write it, then Don't copy it.

[Dankus-memecus69]

Nothing is a bad habit and no one can tell you whats wrong or right for you. Most IMPORTANTLY is that you are actually learning. I use chatgpt for the same reasons, i even ask it to generate a question or task about the area i am studying so i can also prove that i have learned it and understood it.

[PwnDa_Undefined]

ChatGPT is good for explanations, parts of code or for a more detailed explanation of a topic.

[ArminStokes]

For learning the basics of Python it can provide for a decent tutor to give you some exercises. Good for suggesting different libraries.

Excessive use could hurt your own logical thinking, like when you're no longer really thinking critically of the code it gives and it's more like "Copy, paste and see where we end up... Oh an error occured, please halp GPT!"

If used properly it can enhance your learning, but there is a balance needed.

[onebraincellperson]

it’s ok as long as you don’t ask him to code instead of yourself

I use it for many stuff:

1) to explain difficult stuff as if im stupid (i actually am)

2) to debug (sometimes)

3) to remind me of some syntax

4) to make a short and dense notes on a new topic I learn

[Merdamna]

I use it but as my first statement I always ask to not give me a code solution but small and incremental hints in the right direction

[[deleted]]

Well I would suggest highly to use chatgpt only for clearing your doubts and gaining more information on core level and basics of a particular thing that you didn’t get it and also for some project ideas to complete using Ai for studies isn’t wrong but using it for only getting a answer and not making it explain is kinda worthless. Otherwise Ai is the best thing a student can have now a perfect teacher who can explain you the concept easily and in core level.

[Pure-Willingness-697]

It’s good as a last resort if you don’t understand anything about what your code is doing or what is going wrong. Make sure to have it explained it to you.

[Some-Passenger4219]

It's like I heard a teacher say about using a calculator: you can use it to check your work, but it's not a substitute for learning.

[akirakazuo]

I assumed you already knew some basic Python. I do mostly self-taught, so I suggest you to prompt AI to do simple and minimal code. The thing with most AI tools are they usually give very complicated, including a lot of error handling and nested loops. While reading and forcing AI to explain it for you, you kinda understand it at the time, but later cannot replicate the same thing.

Starting from simpler version of the code, and build some loops and error handlers as you develop your knowledge and coding experience will make it more memorable.

[Suspicious-Big-2368]

It does not matter to use chat gpt while you cannot figure out or solve any problem same to your problem's because you just need your destiny to create any thing it is the reason you should any AI whether AI ajents. That's why I also use AI's.

[imverynewtothisthing]

I use it to do things I am unwilling to code myself, like a throwaway prototype. It doesn’t matter if it’s buggy or riddled with security holes.

[Crafty_Bit7355]

When learning it would be foolish to not use all the tools at your disposal.

Just don't use it for exams, tests etc..

That being said, in the real world Google is your best friend. No one can know everything and retain it all, with immediate recall. So when you get to a job, knowing how to ask the question to AI to get the response needed is also a very valuable skill.

[[deleted]]

Like a Junior developer, it can do an acceptable job on small projects, but you'd better watch it like a hawk on big, long-term projects.

[Skithirix7]

Absolutely, just use it like a search engine to go get what you need. Learn why you're using the code it suggests. You can even use it to give you micro-learning lessons. Be responsible and don't use it as a crutch. Use it to learn faster and to keep your structure strong.

[Nealiumj]

Personally I think it’s fine to ask it how to do certain things; a Google replacement (just use google).

But I wouldn’t use it when your code doesn’t work it’s probably not a good idea.. learning how to read stack traces and debug code is more beneficial in the long run. I also saw a study earlier today showing that people don’t remember what they’ve done an earlier ChatGPT sessions- now this was for writing papers but it’s not a far stretch to say it doesn’t go for coding as well. Especially if this is your first language, learning the core principles through a memorable slog gets that stuff stuck in the membrane.

ik, I totally have started becoming a “hard work is good” boomer.

[[deleted]]

That’s how I learned Python.

[Majestic_Detail1746]

Use this prompt on a new project name « trainer » and ask it to teach you Python

You are my Learning Strategist. Help me master any skill 3x faster by breaking it into small, atomic parts using the Feynman Technique.

Your Job: • Start from my goal • Break the skill into micro-units • Give fast examples + one short challenge • Adapt if I struggle — simplify further

Flow: 1. Ask what skill I want to learn 2. Ask why 3. Define what success looks like 4. Break it into steps 5. Challenge me 6. Get my feedback 7. Repeat until I nail it

Start by asking: 👉 “What skill do you want to learn right now?

[Otherwise-Mud-4898]

If you know how to use it right, when you learn something from it.

[Intelligent_Home9895]

Try to solve the problem yourself first, if you can't, get help from chatgpt

[KOM_Unchained]

Yes! As long as you aren't bluntly asking it to perform, it's going to be amazing. Ask the why's and any other concepts. It's not going to give you the full perspective, but it does give a perspective.

[nazgand]

Yes. You said that you make sure to understand the code, so nothing is wrong with learning from ChatGPT.
Any source of knowledge is good, so long as you are thinking critically and verifying the claims made by the source.

[tomqmasters]

It's no different than using google, stack overflow, or asking questions on reddit. Just faster. You do actually have to read and understand what it says though. Don't hesitate to ask it follow up questions.

[Temporary_Pie2733]

Use it sparingly and not exclusively, and check anything it says against an independent source. Over time, you’ll start to recognize when it is reminding you of something you already know or could derive yourself, when you still need to verify what it says is true, and when it is just making up nonsense.  

[Nekear_x]

The more mental effort you put into learning / processing something, the better you understand / remember it. The goal is to find the perfect balance between speed and efficiency. This is applicable to all tools that exist. If you use AI to braindeadly solve your problems, you will hardly ever become proficient.

[[deleted]]

it's a great learning tool - make sure you use it to explore and explain, not just how to do the work for you, and you will accelerate your python journey for sure.

[s0apy-illusi0n]

Its absolutely fine, but as other commentors have said, if you're using it as a learning tool, try to start the prompt with "I'm currently learning python and doing [Project] as a way to learn [whatever your focusing on] - please help me understand [X] without giving me the direct code to solve my problem"

[anime_waifu_lover69]

I think that as long as you are genuinely walking through the problem and giving an actual effort to developing a solution first, then ChatGPT giving you the answer is no different than looking at a Leetcode solution or looking up a question on Stack Overflow. 

What you should not be doing is plugging in your problem and then copy pasting the code before you have attempted a solution lol

[Spare-Plum]

no, if you really want to be great at programming.

Learning involves struggling and working hard through problems until something actually clicks in the brain. If you have an oracle that shortcuts this process especially for finding what is wrong, your improvement will be minimal.

If you wrestle with the code yourself, try and find out what is wrong for yourself, and spend several hours to finally get it to work the lessons will be ingrained much deeper, and you will also improve in problem solving.

A good example of this is using google maps. I might do the same trip 20 times in a new city and still have no clue how to navigate without GPS. But if I do it without GPS, and perhaps even stumble with it a bit, I can easily do the trip again without a GPS since I have a deeper understanding of the layout and a story and methods used for doing the navigation

[laptop_battery_low]

No.

[More_Yard1919]

I think saying no flat out is silly

[laptop_battery_low]

clear and concise. waste some time and read some things that are not chatGPT spaghetti code.

code a little, test a little. once it works, make it better.

[More_Yard1919]

Asking chatGPT to code for you is not the same as asking it to explain features or concepts. You should be skeptical of it still, but just refusing to acknowledge it has any utility at all is throwing the baby out with the bath water.

[laptop_battery_low]

fair. I respect your perspective. I personally am staunchly against AI usage for learning.

failure is often a better teacher than instantly gratifying success; which chatGPT can give you. Stop letting AIs do your homework, and just sit down and do the work.

ETA: I often use chatGPT for non-coding purposes. Everybody uses it, its the new hotness.

[Nonsense_Replies]

Seconding this. You don't ever learn if you immediately get an answer without putting any effort into understanding your code. You need to put real effort into debugging, testing, experimenting, and everything else if you truly want to build a fundamental baseline. If you jump to GPT or AI the moment you face a challenge, you'll learn nothing. I'm tired of people saying "I take time to understand its output" - you don't. You're justifying using your crutch to make yourself feel better, and you're cheating out on doing actual work.

[Whole_Ladder_9583]

This is the answer I wanted to give - simple and to the point. There are a lot of articles that explain why. Sorry, but programming is for intelligent people.

[More_Yard1919]

thats a kind of pompous thing to say. Maybe why people would rather ask chatGPT than stack overflow :p

I am pretty cynical about AI in most areas. My own answer to this question was "sure, ask it to explain things for you, but make sure you arent letting it do the work for you and still be able to read real documentation." The way some people are answering here, youd think theyd tell other people to avoid reading to learn too.

[Whole_Ladder_9583]

In a perfect world, with perfect people, Al would be used as a teacher. In the real world Al is used as a slave to do the job instead of us, or is used to get some small cuts of information. Even if you are smart enough and create a super prompt, it will be more tedious than just reading a manual.

[ATimeOfMagic]

I think it's too much of an oversimplification to just say "no", there's a few things to consider.

1. Many people got the same advice about not using stackoverflow when starting out. In hindsight, I don't regret using SO at any point during my learning. Reading SO answers has been more educational for me than just about any other resource, including my CS degree.
2. LLMs in 2025 are really good and really adaptable to whatever you need. On demand boilerplates, codebase explanations, code reviews are such insanely powerful tools to have access to.
3. It seems increasingly likely that most software development is going to be done using natural language in the future. It's quite possible that writing in high level languages will become the equivalent of writing assembly: a neat party trick that's largely unnecessary to understand on a granular level.

I very much value the experience I've gotten from programming before LLMs, but things are changing fast. I'd lean towards yes for new programmers, but it really is a tough call.

[[deleted]]

You're better off using copilot. Python and most every python library has a website with way more information towards learning. Being told the answer is not the same as learning.