RE: Is Using AI to Generate Code Actually Helpful?

colporteur — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 14:03:08 GMT

Chatgpt and copilot AI have not improved my coding skills but it has improved my coding output.

I use Arduino's for animation projects in model railroading. I recently used WS2812 neopixels in a project. A mini office tower needed lighting at different location. Typically I would run individual LED or an LED strip. I discovered fastled as a library to control individual LEDs in a string. Three wires only required.

I'm a resurrectionist not a programmer. I find code parts and stitch them together to create a finished project. I had no experience with programmable LEDs and wanted to try some fancy light sequences.

After watching a friend of mine (true programmer) use chatgpt (paid service). I started partnering with AI. Learning how to communicate with AI was the biggest challenge. Never assume what it provide is correct. Test, wash-rinse-repeat cycle. I completed the task in record breaking time (for me). AI also provided suggestions on features that would improve what I was trying to accomplish.

When I was employed I could ask professional programmers how to do something. They would provide a framework and I would go off an attempt a solution. AI is that programming partner.

I understand what the code does but to write it myself would have taken me a very long time. Most of the time would be learning the details (i.e. what is the string to initialize the LED lights) to accomplish what I want. I am a novice with this tool. In the hands of a professional I can see advantages.

I confess I have mixed emotions with completed projects. AI limits my sweat equity in a project. Do I deserve all the credit when it is done. I don't recall hearing my carpenter friends says they were not happy with their finished project because they did the work on their new tool.

RE: Is Using AI to Generate Code Actually Helpful?

DAB — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:40:48 GMT

It all comes down to testability.

My beef with AI is that you cannot verify that what the code will do under all input combinations.

That is a BIG risk especially for systems where people can be harmed.

I will continue to watch developments, but for now I would be very cautious about adopting any AI generated code into a project.