As a developer and data analyst, I’ve always looked at ways to make coding faster and cleaner without sacrificing quality.
When I first heard about GitHub Copilot I was wondering how an AI Tool a help in this arena.
ChatGPT was helpful, but it didn't fully address my specific area of expertise. I wanted something more than just a tool for asking questions;
I was looking for a solution that could streamline my efforts in writing repetitive code and help me use my time more efficiently.
When I heard the word ‘COPILOT,’ all I could think was, really? A co-pilot?
I thought, of course I’m the one flying the plane. Why wouldn’t I want a buddy sitting next to me to help out during those long-haul flights?
I wanted to give it a try and I eventually did it too, I wanted to see if it could make me more productive.
After several months of use, I can confidently say yes! It has given me reasons to enjoy it and explore while simplifying my day-to-day tasks.
Here are a few key insights that I believe have significantly boosted my productivity.
- Legacy Code Analysis -
Many of us find ourselves working with long-lost code, maintaining a codebase created by individuals who are no longer part of the team, yet their work still affects our projects. When issues arise with these applications, we often face challenges in analyzing and resolving them because finding answers can be difficult. It requires patience and time to navigate the code and reach a solution. However, when these issues are flagged as high priority in our inbox, time seems to fly rather than tick away. 😊
My CoPilot did a great job in this instance. By providing clear and well-structured input in simple terms, I was able to reach my goal in just a few easy steps. It guided me to the area of interest that potentially answered my question. This time, I didn't have to spend hours poring over the large codebase—just a few minutes was all it took.
-No More Writing code from Scratch -
When we begin to write a script or code for a project, we usually have a general idea in our minds expressed in plain language. We don’t have the technical syntax or specific coding terms at the forefront; instead, we simply know what we want our code to accomplish. This underlying intent is all we need to start working with GitHub Copilot. There’s no necessity to write out every line of code ourselves. We can input our intent into GitHub Copilot, and it will generate a structure or outline of the code we need. It might not be perfect on the first try, and we may need to refine our inputs, but we’ll eventually get to the desired solution without the stress of worrying about syntax and coding line by line.
_
I appreciate the auto-suggest options offered by many IDEs, but I prefer GitHub Copilot in this aspect. With GitHub Copilot, I don't need to type a specific keyword to get suggestions; I simply provide an idea and receive a skeleton structure. This allows me to build upon it and experiment further._
- Debugging and Error Solving Made Easier –
No one has all the answers, and encountering challenges while coding is a standard part of the process. These momentary roadblocks are merely stepping stones on your journey to mastery. Fortunately, we have plenty of resources at our disposal to tackle these hurdles effectively. Many developers turn to search engines or communicate with AI tools for solutions—this is an established approach.
GitHub Copilot is a powerful tool that integrates directly into your IDE, providing real-time suggestions and fixes as you code. This capability allows you to maintain your focus and productivity without constantly switching between tabs searching for answers.
This tool didn’t just make me faster—it made coding more enjoyable. Tasks that once felt repetitive now flow smoothly, and I have more energy to focus on the parts of programming I truly love.
Of course, GitHub Copilot isn’t magic. Sometimes it produces inefficient or even insecure code. I’ve learned that it’s not about blind trust—it’s about critical use. I treat GitHub Copilot’s suggestions as drafts, not final answers. The key is balancing AI assistance with my own judgment.
For me, this tool isn’t about replacing developers—it’s about empowering them.
If you’ve been on the fence about trying it, my advice is simple: give it a shot. You might just find that your best coding partner isn’t human—it’s an AI.
Top comments (0)