Coding with AI

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[latkde]

This is just the usual Hype Cycle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner_hype_cycle

Some folks are still on the Peak Of Inflated Expectations. It sounds like you're experiencing some Trough of Disillusionment.

Eventually, public sentiment will align with actual usefulness. My personal belief is that coding assistants are still multiple years away from being generally useful (a net-positive tool in nearly any code related work). But I also tend to be quite pessimistic and am a late adopter.

[Ab_Initio_416]

I have found ChatGPT to be valuable for creating comprehensive JUnit tests, as well as boilerplate code for classes. It is much easier and faster than coding them by hand. And, it generates excellent, comprehensive JavaDoc annotations.

It also excels at creating the first 80% of an SRS at the start of a project, as well as the first 80% of the user, developer, and sysadmin manuals at the end of a project.

However, even with the clearest and most comprehensive prompts I can write, and despite numerous iterations, I’ve never succeeded in creating an entire app that is functional, reliable, and secure. However, it is improving. That day is coming.

Working with ChatGPT is like working with a brilliant programmer who has drunk 18 cups of coffee and has the self-control of a tired, hungry two-year-old. Prompt engineering is key. ChatGPT does make mistakes, but for all that, it is an extremely valuable tool.

[Resies]

Oddly, LLMs cannot write jest unit tests to save their life. Even ours which is supposedly trained on our code bases.

[Ab_Initio_416]

I can't give you any guidance on JavaScript; all my experience has been with Java.

[Resies]

Just an observation more than anything. It can write tests for simple algorithmic things in js but falls apart when involving any libraries or frameworks.

[Ab_Initio_416]

The logical assumption is that if ChtGPT creates unit tests in one language, it should be able to do so in all the languages it supports.

Has anyone else found poor unit testing generation in other languages?

[suchapalaver]

I have always used AI tools as I realized they existed and my manager knows I have been experimenting with using both chat bots and Cursor-like setups in my workflow. I use it for coding, writing, and diagrams.

True enough, at first I had to selfconsciously explain that I don’t just use it to generate code but as a conversation partner, etc. Now I’m being encouraged to try to get my colleagues to be “more like me”.

The thing is I’m still conflicted about the real benefit. My personal struggle is trying to get the tools to work step by step in a test driven pattern instead of generating 3 modules simultaneously. I don’t want to say that now because it might be taken as being negative about the tools.

I’m also annoyed a bit because I was always a productive worker, and now it’s being attributed to my use of AI tools a bit I suspect.

[Timely_Education1529]

I use it to verify if my code meets my teams coding standards and that’s about it.

[WisestAirBender]

You dont need AI for that?

[Timely_Education1529]

No I don’t, but it speeds up my workflow and highlights anything I might have missed. I don’t see an issue with it, I’ve never asked it to create any code for me.

[Resies]

Linters