The ChatGPT Prompt That Defines Coding in 2024

                                                                             Photo by Dynamic Wang @dynamicwang on Unsplash

In 2023 it felt like AI had hit its stride. We cannot state the initial rush everyone felt by typing in a simple prompt and getting a representative image back. The wonder of creating a website by simply prompting ChatGPT with “solve fizz buzz in Pascal” was super-hype.

In 2024, the excitement has given way for something a little more practical. As a developer you’ve probably run countless prompts to debug code and optimize your workflow.

Yet there is a single prompt that sums up 2024 for software developers in one fell swoop.

“Can You Write My Entire Codebase?”

This is the key prompt. Not because of the practicality, but due to the wild optimism and desperation that has overwhelmed tech. The game seems to have changed, but we are all still waiting to fully understand what that means to us.

This one prompt keeps popping up, illustrating where developers are in terms of AI.

Why This Says It All

This is a variation on deciding that the whole project should be deleted. It’s ultimately thinking magic wands are possible in software development and promoting the idea that AI will solve all our problems.

There are environments where managers want applications to be built yesterday. Juniors are using ChatGPT to cheat in interviews and are unable to be productive if their favorite flavor of AI is unavailable. 

The truth is that AI can speed up tasks and can provide code snippets that can be helpful. However, it can only go so far. You’ll get some structure, maybe even some good ideas, but it’ll lack the finesse, understanding, and problem-solving only a real developer can bring.

Why AI Isn’t Replacing You Anytime Soon

AI cannot replace human insight. That insight is essential when it comes to the complexities of software architecture, debugging and edge cases.

We must use AI as a (semi-useful) assistant for confirming things and bouncing off ideas.

Handle Unique Business Logic

If you need AI to handle specific business rules, expect a lot of trial and error. Nuances and industry-specific knowledge aren’t something AI can fully grasp yet.

Creative Problem Solving

AI can’t replicate that developer “aha!” moment when you figure out an elegant solution to a complex problem. It can only mimic patterns, not invent them.

Fix Itself (Usually)

As much as we’d love an AI that can solve bugs it accidentally introduces, we’re not there yet. In many cases, it still takes a human to untangle complex errors, understand the context, and implement a sustainable solution. AI is frequently unable to see the mistakes it makes and needs to be guided to remove these. 

Conclusion

In 2024, AI is a tool. It’s smart, it’s helpful, and it’s revolutionizing how we code, but it still requires a human at the helm. Until AI can tackle deadlines, requirements, and office politics, the developer’s role is safe. 

Now what might happen in the future, nobody can say…