Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why a Dog Age Calculator?
- How ChatGPT Helped
- Step 1: HTML Structure
- Step 2: CSS Styling
- Step 3: JavaScript Logic
- Is AI a Threat to Programmers?
- Related Tools
- Final Thoughts
Introduction
As a programmer, I enjoy experimenting with fun projects. Recently, I decided to create a Dog Age Calculator—a tool to convert human years into dog years. Instead of starting from scratch, I teamed up with ChatGPT to speed up the process.
ChatGPT acted as a powerful coding assistant, helping me build a functional base that I could customize and refine. In this post, I’ll show you how we created a Dog Age Calculator, complete with separate files for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Why a Dog Age Calculator?
The concept of “dog years” fascinates many dog owners, who wonder how old their pets are in human terms. This project is:
- Simple yet practical, with input validation and result display.
- Beginner-friendly, perfect for honing your JavaScript skills.
- Fun and relatable, especially for pet lovers.
Let’s get started!
How ChatGPT Helped
To save time, I asked ChatGPT:
"Write a Dog Age Calculator using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript."
ChatGPT generated a solid codebase in seconds, which I personalized to add my own style and improvements. Below is the final version of the project.
Check out this Pen I made!
Step 1: HTML Structure
The HTML provides the structure of the calculator.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Dog Age Calculator</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
<div class="calculator-container">
<h1>Dog Age Calculator</h1>
<p>Enter your dog's age in human years:</p>
<input type="number" id="humanYears" placeholder="Enter human years" min="0">
<button onclick="calculateDogAge()">Calculate</button>
<p class="result" id="result"></p>
</div>
<script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Step 2: CSS Styling
The CSS makes the calculator visually appealing.
/* styles.css */
/* Reset */
* {
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
body {
font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #ffafbd, #ffc3a0);
color: #333;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
height: 100vh;
}
.calculator-container {
background: #fff;
padding: 20px 30px;
border-radius: 10px;
box-shadow: 0 8px 15px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
text-align: center;
width: 300px;
}
.calculator-container h1 {
font-size: 24px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
color: #ff6f61;
}
.calculator-container input {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
margin: 10px 0;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 16px;
}
.calculator-container button {
background: #ff6f61;
color: #fff;
border: none;
padding: 10px 15px;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 16px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.calculator-container button:hover {
background: #e55a4e;
}
.result {
margin-top: 20px;
font-size: 18px;
color: #333;
font-weight: bold;
}
Step 3: JavaScript Logic
The JavaScript handles the calculator’s functionality.
// script.js
function calculateDogAge() {
const humanYears = document.getElementById('humanYears').value;
let dogYears;
if (humanYears === "" || isNaN(humanYears) || humanYears <= 0) {
dogYears = "Please enter a valid positive number!";
} else if (humanYears <= 2) {
dogYears = humanYears * 10.5;
} else {
dogYears = (2 * 10.5) + ((humanYears - 2) * 4);
}
document.getElementById('result').innerText =
typeof dogYears === "number"
? `Your dog's age in dog years is: ${dogYears.toFixed(1)}`
: dogYears;
}
Is AI a Threat to Programmers?
The Pros of AI for Programmers
- Speed and Efficiency: AI helps with repetitive tasks and boilerplate code, saving hours.
- Learning Aid: It’s a fantastic tool for beginners to learn programming concepts.
- Focus on Creativity: AI handles basic tasks, allowing developers to concentrate on solving complex problems.
The Challenges of AI for Programmers
- Over-Reliance: There’s a risk of becoming too dependent on AI, which could hinder learning.
- Job Concerns: Simple coding jobs may get automated, pushing programmers to specialize in advanced areas.
- Code Quality: AI-generated code isn’t always optimized or error-free. A skilled developer is still needed to review and improve it.
Bottom Line: AI won’t replace programmers anytime soon, but it’s essential to adapt and upskill. Think of AI as a tool, not a replacement. Stay curious, keep learning, and embrace innovation!
Related Tools
Explore other dog-related calculators:
Final Thoughts
This project highlights how tools like ChatGPT can complement a programmer’s workflow. It’s like having a coding buddy that handles the basics while you focus on creativity.
While AI is powerful, remember that it’s just a tool. Your unique problem-solving skills and creativity will always make you indispensable.
Happy coding, and don’t forget to give your dog an extra pat today! 🐶
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