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Farhad Rahimi Klie
Farhad Rahimi Klie

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How to Use ChatGPT Properly as a Developer

#ai #chatgpt #developer #programming

ChatGPT is not magic.
It will not make you a senior engineer overnight.
But if used correctly, it can multiply your learning speed, improve your problem-solving, and make you a better developer.

Most people misuse ChatGPT.
They copy-paste answers without thinking.
That’s how you stay junior forever.

Let’s fix that.

1. Understand What ChatGPT Really Is

ChatGPT is:

✔ A thinking assistant
✔ A teacher
✔ A rubber duck debugger
✔ A documentation generator
✔ A code reviewer

ChatGPT is NOT:

✖ A replacement for thinking
✖ A copy-paste factory
✖ A shortcut to expertise
✖ A magical bug fixer

If you treat ChatGPT as Google → you get shallow knowledge
If you treat it as a mentor → you grow fast

2. The Right Mindset

Before using ChatGPT, fix your mindset:

❌ Wrong mindset

  • "Give me the solution"
  • "Write full project for me"
  • "Just make it work"
  • Copy → paste → forget

✅ Correct mindset

  • "Explain WHY"
  • "Show me alternatives"
  • "Help me think"
  • "Review my code"
  • "Break it down step by step"

Goal:
Use ChatGPT to learn, not to escape thinking.

3. How to Ask Good Prompts (Prompt Engineering for Developers)

Bad prompt:

"Fix my code"

Good prompt:

"Here is my code. It crashes with segmentation fault. Explain why it happens and how to fix it step by step."

Prompt Formula

Use this structure:

Context:
I am learning C programming.

Problem:
My program crashes when reading input.

Code:
[paste code]

Request:
Explain the bug and how memory works here.
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Examples

✅ Learning

Explain how pointers work in C like I'm a beginner.
Then give me 3 exercises.
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✅ Debugging

Here is my code.
Explain every mistake and best practice.
Do not rewrite it directly.
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✅ Deep understanding

Compare B-Tree vs B+Tree in database engines.
Include real-world usage.
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4. How to Use ChatGPT for Learning Programming

Step 1 – Ask for concepts 

Explain recursion with diagrams and examples.
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Step 2 – Ask for edge cases 

What are common recursion mistakes?
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Step 3 – Ask for exercises 

Give me 5 problems to practice recursion.
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Step 4 – Solve yourself

Then paste your solution:

Review my code and suggest improvements.
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This loop is gold:

Learn → Try → Fail → Ask → Improve → Repeat

5. Using ChatGPT for Debugging (Correct Way)

DO NOT:

"Fix my code"

DO THIS:

My code crashes when input > 100.
Explain the root cause.
Do not rewrite.
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Why?

Because:

  • You learn debugging
  • You learn memory behavior
  • You stop being dependent

6. Using ChatGPT for System Design

Ask:

Design a URL shortener.
Explain architecture.
Explain database schema.
Explain scaling.
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Then:

What are bottlenecks?
How would Netflix do this?
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This builds real engineering thinking.

7. Using ChatGPT for Career Growth

Resume 

Review my resume like a tech recruiter.
Be harsh.
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Interview prep 

Ask me DSA interview questions.
Wait for my answer.
Then review.
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Roadmaps 

Create a backend roadmap.
With projects.
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8. Common Mistakes Developers Make

❌ Blind copy-paste

You understand nothing.
You grow nothing.

❌ Asking lazy questions

"Do it for me"

❌ Using ChatGPT during exams or tasks

You destroy your thinking muscle.

❌ Trusting 100%

ChatGPT can be wrong.
Always verify.

9. ChatGPT Learning Roadmap (Serious Developer)

Phase 1 – Foundations

  • Ask for concepts
  • Ask for diagrams
  • Ask for real-world examples

Phase 2 – Practice

  • Request exercises
  • Solve yourself
  • Ask for review

Phase 3 – Debugging

  • Paste your broken code
  • Ask for explanation, not solution

Phase 4 – Projects

  • Ask for architecture
  • Implement alone
  • Ask for code review

Phase 5 – Mastery

  • Ask for optimizations
  • Ask for design patterns
  • Ask for scaling strategies

10. Pro Tips

🔥 Tell ChatGPT your level
🔥 Ask it to be strict
🔥 Ask for multiple approaches
🔥 Ask for time/space complexity
🔥 Ask for real-world usage

Example:

Explain quicksort.
Then compare it with mergesort.
Include complexity and use cases.
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11. Final Truth

ChatGPT will NOT make you great.
YOU make yourself great.

ChatGPT is a:

Gym
You must lift the weights.

Mentor
You must listen and apply.

Mirror
It shows your weakness.

Conclusion

Use ChatGPT as:

✔ Teacher
✔ Debug partner
✔ Code reviewer
✔ Architect

NOT as:

✖ Code generator
✖ Cheating tool
✖ Brain replacement

If you use it correctly:

  • You learn faster
  • You think deeper
  • You become dangerous (in a good way 😎)

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