With the advent of advanced AI language models like ChatGPT, many people have started to question whether these tools can replace programmers. In this blog post, we will discuss why ChatGPT is an excellent tool to improve programming efficiency but not a substitute for skilled engineers.
A Simple Problem and ChatGPT’s Solution
To demonstrate ChatGPT’s capabilities, we asked it to write JavaScript code for two functions: one to accept a list of key-value pairs (country abbreviation and population) and another to return the population of a requested country in constant time. The code generated by ChatGPT was accurate and efficient. However, three key points should be highlighted:
- Knowing how to ask the right question: A skilled engineer is required to phrase the problem in such a way that ChatGPT can provide an optimal solution.
- Evaluating the generated code: An experienced programmer is needed to review the code, determine if it works, and identify areas for improvement.
- Complexity of the problem: The sample problem was simple, but as the complexity increases, ChatGPT will have fewer examples to draw from, and the chances of generating incorrect or inefficient code increase.
When Problem Definition is Incomplete
Suppose a non-programmer asked for a JavaScript function to return a country’s population without providing a clear problem definition. In this case, ChatGPT would generate code based on the given parameters, but the solution might not be suitable for every situation. For example, if a country is not on the list, the user would need to manually update it. This demonstrates the importance of a well-defined problem statement.
Effective Communication with ChatGPT is Programming
Learning to communicate effectively with ChatGPT to obtain desired results is, in essence, programming. ChatGPT can certainly make programming faster and easier, but engineers still need to be able to articulate their needs clearly, read the output, evaluate it, and improve upon it.
Case Analysis: Building an eCommerce Platform
Let’s consider a specific example of building an eCommerce platform. An eCommerce platform is a complex system with various components, such as user authentication, product listings, shopping cart, payment processing, and order management. To build this platform, a team of skilled engineers is required to design, implement, and maintain the system efficiently.
Now, imagine using ChatGPT to build the eCommerce platform without the involvement of skilled engineers. While ChatGPT might be able to generate code snippets for certain components like a user authentication system, it would still require a programmer to define the problem statement accurately and evaluate the generated code for efficiency, security, and compatibility with other components of the system.
If a non-programmer were to ask ChatGPT for help in creating an eCommerce platform, they might ask, “How can I create a shopping cart in JavaScript?” ChatGPT might generate a basic code snippet for a shopping cart, but it would lack crucial aspects like proper integration with the product listing, user authentication, and payment processing.
In this scenario, the generated code might work for a simple and small-scale application, but it would not be suitable for a full-fledged eCommerce platform. The non-programmer would face difficulties integrating different components, ensuring data security, handling edge cases, and maintaining the platform as it grows.
However, if skilled engineers use ChatGPT as a tool to aid in their development process, they can leverage its capabilities to generate code snippets or find solutions to specific problems more quickly. Engineers can then evaluate, modify, and integrate the generated code into the larger system as needed. This collaboration between skilled engineers and ChatGPT would lead to a more efficient development process and a robust eCommerce platform.
This example demonstrates that ChatGPT can be an invaluable tool for improving programming efficiency when used by skilled engineers. However, it is not a replacement for the expertise, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking required from human programmers, especially when developing complex systems like an eCommerce platform.
ChatGPT is an incredible tool that can improve the efficiency of programming, but it is not a replacement for skilled engineers. Attempts to replace engineers with AI models like ChatGPT will lead to buggy, inefficient, and unmaintainable software. Companies that try to cut corners by relying solely on AI tools will eventually need to hire engineers to fix their issues, which will be more expensive than hiring them from the start.
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