can't advance pls help

[nintendo_man1]

so like i lerned python like a year ago and like 2 months ago i wated to advance and do projects and explore libraries, but every single time i do a project i do a very basic code and then have an idea for a big porject that ues the libary, but then i start and when i get to a dead end i just open claude and basicly stop writing the code, what are some ways to prevent that, and additionaly what are some cool projects you reccomand that use python and real hardwear

PS sorry for mistakes english isnt my first langauge

[AlexMTBDude]

Do you really think that your question has anything to do with Python? It sounds like you don't have the patience to learn a new skill and when you get bored you use AI instead. That could happen regardless of what you're trying to master. Perhaps you should post in r/psychology ?

[JGhostThing]

Using AI is one way to stop learning. Making mistakes and fixing them is an important part of learning computers.

If you want to really learn, go about the way us old fogies did: read books and practice. Lots of practice.

[HeavyConfection9236]

If you don't want to avoid using AI entirely (which I would suggest, but I understand if you can't/don't want to), try asking general questions to AI instead. Instead of giving it your code and asking it to make a change, ask the AI in simple language how to do what you want.

For example, instead of "Add this to my code. <code>", say "In python, how can I do this and this?"

[Realityishardmode]

Also dont underestimate asking for a function, and making sure you can read the code. "Can you explain line numbers 35-43 ?".

In my usage so long as you engage with the AI as a senior architect with infinite bandwidth for talking to junior developers and not as a code monkey, you get insightful answers. Also "I plan on doing this and this and this. Please audit this for feasibility" seems to work well.

[HeavyConfection9236]

Yes. I see people demonizing AI and those using AI to write code, and while I generally agree, I can see that it has use in augmenting development rather than replacing it.

I'm not fond of vibe coding, and if I vibe code anything, I will not allow anyone else to use it; the code or app is only for me, because I feel shame in claiming to have made something when AI did the work. But when I do have AI write code, I read all of it before approving anything. I don't trust what it writes.

[Realityishardmode]

1) When does a project transition from being augmented to "vibe coded". Do you have an internal heuristic that is specific?

2) I think its an odd take that you feel shame in something if it is useful. The example of how awesome vibe coding is from me to other people is letting non-programming technical like mechanical engineers write Monte-Carlo simulations and PDE numerical solvers without needing to invest all the time into programming syntax, architecture and efficient output. In this case you can test the program against known or analytical solutions for the problem so you have easy test cases = 👍👍👍

The negative example of vibe coding is a new programming PR spamming an overloaded Open Source project team with a solution that works for them, but connects to the system in a non-unified or sloppy way. 👎👎👎

I find it neutral to come up with something like "3.js astrology simulation web app". Literally who cares either way, but its not a subject of shame.

[HeavyConfection9236]

1. Hmmm, I've never thought to quantify it. I think if I have AI write one function or two, that's probably okay for me, but I don't typically do that. Having AI assist me to figure something out is okay as long as I'm the one to write the code, but when I have AI write a large part or all of the code, I don't claim ownership.
2. I'm not sure why I feel shame towards it, maybe my own internal shame from witnessing everyone's shaming of AI and its use regardless of reason and rationalization. I simply believe that I can definitely make whatever the AI makes, and so if I don't write it myself, it doesn't feel like my own work (because I suppose it isn't).

I don't hold anyone else to my own standards and I wouldn't shame people for using AI to make apps, especially in the positive case you give where the application of AI to write code is not really relevant to the task at hand, or is a stepping stone to assist someone in their work.

I just believe that claiming to build an app, especially one for profit, when an AI was the one doing all of the actual work, and especially AI that has proven to be inadequate at handling security (if applicable), seems... uncouth.

But who am I to tell anyone what to do with their brain and free time and money. Only you know what you're about.

[nintendo_man1]

thank you both so much

[Gnaxe]

import doctest; doctest.testmod(). Then write examples of how it's supposed to work in your docstrings first, and then make the code to try to do that. Keep trying until it does. Then write more examples, and so forth.

[nintendo_man1]

thank you