How To Utilize ChatGPT To Improve Your Coding Skills?

Chat-GPT is a large language model chatbot developed by Open-AI. It is trained on a massive dataset of text and code, and it can generate text, translate languages, and answer questions. Chat-GPT can be used to improve coding skills in several ways. It can provide quick answers to simple questions about syntax, algorithms, and data structures, which can save students time and help them better understand programming concepts. Chat-GPT can also assist students with more complex coding problems by suggesting potential solutions, providing examples, or explaining coding concepts clearly and concisely.

How To Utilize Chat-GPT To Improve Your Coding Skills

How to utilize Chat-GPT to improve coding Skills:

To utilize Chat-GPT to improve coding skills you can follow these steps:

1. Ask conceptual questions:

If you are unclear about a programming concept or language feature, you can ask Chat-GPT to explain it to you in a simplified manner. For example, you could ask about object-oriented programming, recursion, or the usage of specific libraries.

2. Seek code examples:

Request code examples for specific tasks or algorithms you want to learn or understand better. Ask for examples of how to implement certain functionalities or solve common coding problems.

3. Discuss best practices: 

Ask Chat-GPT about coding best practices, design patterns, or efficient algorithms. This can help you improve your code structure and optimize your solutions.

4. Request code reviews: 

Share your code with Chat-GPT and ask for feedback. It can help you identify potential issues, improve code readability, and learn alternative approaches.

6. Solve coding exercises: 

Ask Chat-GPT to provide you with coding exercises or challenges. Work through them and compare your solutions with the suggestions provided. This will help you practice problem-solving and learn new techniques.

7. Explore new technologies: 

Inquire about emerging technologies, frameworks, or libraries that you’re interested in. Chat-GPT can provide you with information on their usage, advantages, and implementation details.

8. Debugging assistance: 

If you’re encountering a bug or an error, describe the issue to Chat-GPT and ask for suggestions on how to approach debugging. Chat-GPT might provide insights or ask clarifying questions to help you identify the problem.

9. Experiment and iterate: 

As you interact with Chat-GPT, try out the suggestions and solutions it provides. Experiment with the code and explore alternative approaches. Learning and improvement come through practice and hands-on experience.

The point should be noted before using Chat-GPT:

Remember, while Chat-GPT can be a helpful resource, it’s important to validate the information it provides and cross-reference it with reliable sources. Utilize official documentation, programming forums, tutorials, and other learning resources to deepen your understanding and broaden your knowledge.

Ways to Utilize Chat-GPT to improve your Coding Skills:

1. Writing a Piece of Code:

Chat-GPT can generate code for simple or repetitive tasks, such as file I/O operations, data manipulation, and database queries. However, it’s important to note that its ability to write code is limited and the generated code may not always be the accurate, optimized, or desired output.

Sample 1. Chat-GPT writing code for the comment:

Example: “Can you write a C++ Code that takes an input integer N and print a Fibonacci sequence ? “.

Below is the image of Generated Output:

Chat-GPT writing code for the comment

Chat-GPT is primarily designed to generate Text. Besides, instead of being specifically designed for writing code, however, it can generate simple code snippets based on natural language inputs and can suggest improvements to the existing code.

Sample 2. Chat-GPT suggesting another/ alternative approach for the given code:

Example: “Can you prove some alternate approach to print a Fibonacci sequence ? “.

Below is the image of Generated Output:

Chat-GPT writing code for the comment

2. Debugging:

Debugging is the process of identifying and resolving errors, or bugs, in a software system. It is an important aspect of software engineering because bugs can cause a software system to malfunction, and can lead to poor performance or incorrect results. Debugging can be a time-consuming and complex task, but it is essential for ensuring. Using Chat-GPT we can also debug the codes by providing the piece of code and the potential error problem.

Chat-GPT’s bug-fixing performance is also quite useful for programmers. It can debug code by suggesting potential causes of errors and providing solutions to fix them. When a programmer encounters an error in their code, they can input the error message or code snippet into Chat-GPT, and it can analyze the code and suggest possible solutions to fix the error.

Sample 1: Chat-GPT helping in Debugging the Code:

Example: 

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {
   int n;
   cout << “Enter a positive integer: “;
   cin >> n;

   int fib1 = 0, fib2 = 0, fib3;

   cout << “Fibonacci sequence up to ” << n << “th term:” << endl;

   if(n == 1) {
       cout << fib1 << endl;
   } else if(n >= 2) {
       cout << fib1 << ” ” << fib2 << ” “;

       for(int i=3; i<n; i++) { // Changed i<n to i<=n
           fib3 = fib1 + fib2;
           cout << fib3 << ” “;

           fib1 = fib2;
           fib2 = fib3;
       }
   }

   cout << endl;
   return 0;
}

Command: “Can you please debug this code? “.

Chat-GPT helps in Debugging the Code

As we can see that Chat-GPT has cleared all of the errors from the code with explanations.

3. Code Completion:

Automatic code completion by Chat-GPT is a feature that allows developers to receive suggestions for code completion as they type. Using machine learning algorithms, Chat-GPT predicts the most likely code that the developer is trying to write and suggests it in real time. This can help speed up the coding process and reduce errors caused by typos or other mistakes. Automatic code completion by Chat-GPT is available for a variety of programming languages and can be integrated into various development environments and tools.

Sample 1: Code Completion by Chat-GPT

Let’s say we are given a Chat-GPT pseudo-Code of any problem statement then Chat-GPT will write the complete code all by itself.

Example: “Complete the given pseudo-code in C++ language ” 

 function mergeSort(array)
   if length of array <= 1
       return array

   middle = length of array / 2
   left_half = first half of array
   right_half = second half of array

   sorted_left_half = mergeSort(left_half)
   sorted_right_half = mergeSort(right_half)

   merged_array = merge(sorted_left_half, sorted_right_half)
   return merged_array

function merge(left_array, right_array)
   merged_array = empty array

   while left_array is not empty and right_array is not empty
       if first element of left_array <= first element of right_array
           add first element of left_array to merged_array
           remove first element of left_array
       else
           add first element of right_array to merged_array
           remove first element of right_array

   if left_array is not empty
       add all elements of left_array to merged_array
   else if right_array is not empty
       add all elements of right_array to merged_array

   return merged_array

Below is the generated Result:

C++

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

using namespace std;

vector<int> mergeSort(vector<int> array) {
    if (array.size() <= 1) {
        return array;
    }

    // Split the array into two halves
    int middle = array.size() / 2;
    vector<int> left_half(array.begin(), array.begin() + middle);
    vector<int> right_half(array.begin() + middle, array.end());

    // Recursively sort each half
    vector<int> sorted_left_half = mergeSort(left_half);
    vector<int> sorted_right_half = mergeSort(right_half);

    // Merge the sorted halves
    vector<int> merged_array;
    int left_index = 0, right_index = 0;
    while (left_index < sorted_left_half.size() && right_index < sorted_right_half.size()) {
        if (sorted_left_half[left_index] <= sorted_right_half[right_index]) {
            merged_array.push_back(sorted_left_half[left_index]);
            left_index++;
        } else {
            merged_array.push_back(sorted_right_half[right_index]);
            right_index++;
        }
    }

    // Add any remaining elements to the merged array
    while (left_index < sorted_left_half.size()) {
        merged_array.push_back(sorted_left_half[left_index]);
        left_index++;
    }

    while (right_index < sorted_right_half.size()) {
        merged_array.push_back(sorted_right_half[right_index]);
        right_index++;
    }

    return merged_array;
}

int main() {
    vector<int> array = {4, 2, 1, 7, 5, 3, 8, 6};
    vector<int> sorted_array = mergeSort(array);

    cout << "Sorted array: ";
    for (int i = 0; i < sorted_array.size(); i++) {
        cout << sorted_array[i] << " ";
    }
    cout << endl;

    return 0;
}

Java

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;

public class MergeSort {
    public static List<Integer> mergeSort(List<Integer> array) {
        // Base case: if the array has 1 or fewer elements, it is already sorted
        if (array.size() <= 1) {
            return array;
        }

        // Split the array into two halves
        int middle = array.size() / 2;
        List<Integer> leftHalf = new ArrayList<>(array.subList(0, middle));
        List<Integer> rightHalf = new ArrayList<>(array.subList(middle, array.size()));

        // Recursively sort each half
        List<Integer> sortedLeftHalf = mergeSort(leftHalf);
        List<Integer> sortedRightHalf = mergeSort(rightHalf);

        // Merge the sorted halves
        List<Integer> mergedArray = new ArrayList<>();
        int leftIndex = 0, rightIndex = 0;
        while (leftIndex < sortedLeftHalf.size() && rightIndex < sortedRightHalf.size()) {
            // Compare elements from the two halves and add the smaller one to the merged array
            if (sortedLeftHalf.get(leftIndex) <= sortedRightHalf.get(rightIndex)) {
                mergedArray.add(sortedLeftHalf.get(leftIndex));
                leftIndex++;
            } else {
                mergedArray.add(sortedRightHalf.get(rightIndex));
                rightIndex++;
            }
        }

        // Add any remaining elements from the left half to the merged array
        while (leftIndex < sortedLeftHalf.size()) {
            mergedArray.add(sortedLeftHalf.get(leftIndex));
            leftIndex++;
        }

        // Add any remaining elements from the right half to the merged array
        while (rightIndex < sortedRightHalf.size()) {
            mergedArray.add(sortedRightHalf.get(rightIndex));
            rightIndex++;
        }

        return mergedArray;
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Initialize the array to be sorted
        List<Integer> array = List.of(4, 2, 1, 7, 5, 3, 8, 6);

        // Perform merge sort on the array
        List<Integer> sortedArray = mergeSort(new ArrayList<>(array));

        // Print the sorted array
        System.out.print("Sorted array: ");
        for (int i = 0; i < sortedArray.size(); i++) {
            System.out.print(sortedArray.get(i) + " ");
        }
        System.out.println();
    }
}

Python3

def merge_sort(arr):
    if len(arr) <= 1:
        return arr

    # Split the array into two halves
    middle = len(arr) // 2
    left_half = arr[:middle]
    right_half = arr[middle:]

    # Recursively sort each half
    sorted_left_half = merge_sort(left_half)
    sorted_right_half = merge_sort(right_half)

    # Merge the sorted halves
    merged_array = []
    left_index = right_index = 0

    while left_index < len(sorted_left_half) and right_index < len(sorted_right_half):
        if sorted_left_half[left_index] <= sorted_right_half[right_index]:
            merged_array.append(sorted_left_half[left_index])
            left_index += 1
        else:
            merged_array.append(sorted_right_half[right_index])
            right_index += 1

    # Add any remaining elements to the merged array
    while left_index < len(sorted_left_half):
        merged_array.append(sorted_left_half[left_index])
        left_index += 1

    while right_index < len(sorted_right_half):
        merged_array.append(sorted_right_half[right_index])
        right_index += 1

    return merged_array


def main():
    array = [4, 2, 1, 7, 5, 3, 8, 6]
    sorted_array = merge_sort(array)

    print("Sorted array:", end=" ")
    for element in sorted_array:
        print(element, end=" ")

    print()


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

C#

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;

class Program
{
    static List<int> MergeSort(List<int> array)
    {
        if (array.Count <= 1)
        {
            return array;
        }

        // Split the array into two halves
        int middle = array.Count / 2;
        List<int> leftHalf = array.GetRange(0, middle);
        List<int> rightHalf = array.GetRange(middle, array.Count - middle);

        // Recursively sort each half
        List<int> sortedLeftHalf = MergeSort(leftHalf);
        List<int> sortedRightHalf = MergeSort(rightHalf);

        // Merge the sorted halves
        List<int> mergedArray = new List<int>();
        int leftIndex = 0, rightIndex = 0;
        while (leftIndex < sortedLeftHalf.Count && rightIndex < sortedRightHalf.Count)
        {
            if (sortedLeftHalf[leftIndex] <= sortedRightHalf[rightIndex])
            {
                mergedArray.Add(sortedLeftHalf[leftIndex]);
                leftIndex++;
            }
            else
            {
                mergedArray.Add(sortedRightHalf[rightIndex]);
                rightIndex++;
            }
        }

        // Add any remaining elements to the merged array
        while (leftIndex < sortedLeftHalf.Count)
        {
            mergedArray.Add(sortedLeftHalf[leftIndex]);
            leftIndex++;
        }

        while (rightIndex < sortedRightHalf.Count)
        {
            mergedArray.Add(sortedRightHalf[rightIndex]);
            rightIndex++;
        }

        return mergedArray;
    }

    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        List<int> array = new List<int> { 4, 2, 1, 7, 5, 3, 8, 6 };
        List<int> sortedArray = MergeSort(array);

        Console.Write("Sorted array: ");
        foreach (int num in sortedArray)
        {
            Console.Write(num + " ");
        }
        Console.WriteLine();
    }
}

Javascript

// Merge sort implementation in JavaScript

// Function to perform merge sort on an array
function mergeSort(array) {
    // Base case: if the array has 1 or fewer elements, it is already sorted
    if (array.length <= 1) {
        return array;
    }

    // Split the array into two halves
    const middle = Math.floor(array.length / 2);
    const leftHalf = array.slice(0, middle);
    const rightHalf = array.slice(middle);

    // Recursively sort each half
    const sortedLeftHalf = mergeSort(leftHalf);
    const sortedRightHalf = mergeSort(rightHalf);

    // Merge the sorted halves
    const mergedArray = [];
    let leftIndex = 0, rightIndex = 0;
    while (leftIndex < sortedLeftHalf.length && rightIndex < sortedRightHalf.length) {
        if (sortedLeftHalf[leftIndex] <= sortedRightHalf[rightIndex]) {
            mergedArray.push(sortedLeftHalf[leftIndex]);
            leftIndex++;
        } else {
            mergedArray.push(sortedRightHalf[rightIndex]);
            rightIndex++;
        }
    }

    // Add any remaining elements to the merged array
    while (leftIndex < sortedLeftHalf.length) {
        mergedArray.push(sortedLeftHalf[leftIndex]);
        leftIndex++;
    }

    while (rightIndex < sortedRightHalf.length) {
        mergedArray.push(sortedRightHalf[rightIndex]);
        rightIndex++;
    }

    return mergedArray;
}

// Main function
function main() {
    const array = [4, 2, 1, 7, 5, 3, 8, 6];
    const sortedArray = mergeSort(array);

    console.log("Sorted array:", sortedArray.join(" "));
}

// Invoke the main function
main();

Output

Sorted array: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

4. Research and Learning:

Here are some steps you can follow to research and learn to code using Chat-GPT:

1. Identify your learning goals: Before you start researching, it’s essential to identify what you want to learn. Are you interested in learning a specific programming language, such as Python or Java? Or do you want to learn a particular skill, such as web development or machine learning? Having clear learning goals will help you focus your research efforts.
2. Ask questions: Once you have identified your learning goals, you can start asking questions to Chat-GPT related to your goal. You can ask general questions, such as “What is programming?”, or more specific questions, such as “What are the fundamental concepts of Python?”.
3. Follow tutorials: Chat-GPT can also help you learn coding by providing step-by-step tutorials on specific topics. You can ask for tutorials on specific programming languages or tools, such as “How to write a basic Python program?” or “How to use Git for version control?”.
4. Seek coding resources: Chat-GPT can recommend coding resources such as websites, books, and courses that can help you learn to code. You can ask for suggestions on specific topics or programming languages that interest you.
5. Practice coding: The best way to learn coding is by practicing it. You can ask Chat-GPT for coding challenges or practice problems to work on. You can also share your code with Chat-GPT and ask for feedback on how to improve it.

5. Getting Test-Cases for any Coding Problem:

we can get the possible test cases for any problem statement. Just provide the problem statement with one Example of Input and Output and Chat-GPT will provide you with all possible test cases possible with input statements.

Sample 1: Test-Cases Generated by Chat-GPT

Let’s say we are given a Chat-GPT pseudo-Code of any problem statement then Chat-GPT will write the complete code all by itself.

Example: ” Give me all possible test cases for Longest Common Subsequence Problem. “

Given two strings text1 and text2, return the length of their longest common subsequence. If there is no common subsequence, return 0. A subsequence of a string is a new string generated from the original string with some characters (can be none) deleted without changing the relative order of the remaining characters. For example, “ace” is a subsequence of “abcde”.

Below is the Generated Result

Test-Cases Generated by Chat-GPT

As we can clearly seen that now we have all 8 valid  test-cases for the above problem statement generated Test-Cases.

6. Exploring frameworks and libraries using Chat-GPT:

Exploring frameworks and libraries using Chat-GPT can be a helpful way to gain initial insights and understand the basics. Here’s how you can utilize Chat-GPT for exploring frameworks and libraries in web development:

1. Overview and key features:

If you come across a specific framework or library that you’re interested in, you can ask Chat-GPT for an overview and its key features. 

For example, you can ask questions like: ” What is the purpose of React.js?” or “What are the key features of the Bootstrap CSS framework?” 

Chat-GPT can provide you with a brief summary and highlight the main capabilities of the framework or library.

2. Use cases and real-world examples:

You can inquire about the use cases and scenarios where a particular framework or library is commonly used.

For Example, you can ask questions like “In what scenarios is Vue.js a good choice?” or “Can you provide examples of websites built with Angular?” 

Chat-GPT can give you insights into the typical use cases and provide examples of websites or applications that have utilized the framework or library.

3. Comparisons and alternatives: 

If you’re unsure about which framework or library to choose, you can ask Chat-GPT for comparisons or alternatives.

For example, you can ask questions like “What are the differences between React and Angular?” or “What are some alternatives to jQuery for DOM manipulation?” 

Chat-GPT can provide you with a comparison of features, pros and cons, and suggest alternative options based on your requirements.

4. Getting started and learning resources: 

Chat-GPT can guide you on how to get started with a particular framework or library. 

You can ask questions like “What are the recommended resources for learning Vue.js?” or “Are there any beginner-friendly tutorials for Django?” 

Chat-GPT can suggest official documentation, online tutorials, video courses, or other learning resources that can help you dive deeper into the framework or library.

5. Common challenges and best practices:

You can ask Chat-GPT about common challenges or best practices associated with a specific framework or library. 

For instance, you can ask questions like “What are some common performance optimization techniques in React?” or “What are the best practices for using Bootstrap grid system effectively?” 

Chat-GPT can provide insights, tips, and recommended practices to help you make the most of the framework or library.

In conclusion,

Chat-GPT can be a valuable resource to enhance your coding skills. By leveraging its capabilities, you can ask specific coding questions, seek code reviews and suggestions, practice problem-solving, explore new technologies, receive debugging assistance, learn from examples, and engage in discussions about coding concepts.