In the grand scheme of software development AI is the co-pilot, not the captain.
It’s tempting to believe that the mere act of typing out lines of code is the pinnacle of software development.
But this is merely scratching the surface.
Code with intent, not just keystrokes.
When I stroll into a new codebase, my first order of business is to wrap my head around the main function and the overall structure of the code.
What is it used for? & Why I need to know it.
Gotta decode the essence before diving into the nitty-gritty details, you know?
As I eyeball the codebase, I throw a barrage of questions at myself.
It's like a one-person interrogation session:
- What is the first programming concept or element noticed?
- What is the second thing noticed?
💡My goal is to understand the relationships and dependencies within the codebase.
It's not merely about the code I produce; it's about comprehending the codebase.
3️⃣ Steps to Code Prompt
I successfully code prompt GenAI tools like ChatGPT by having context and domain knowledge to help me guide ChatGPT to find the right solution.
I kick off with Step 1 - I lay down the law by specifying crystal-clear expectations for what I want the code to pull off.
No room for ambiguity, my friend.
Step 2 is where the rubber meets the road. I take that code for a test drive, we're talking incremental testing.
💡I want to see how the code runs at each step, making sure I understand its every move.
Next up, Step 3 - I brace myself, for potential errors or exceptions in the AI-generated code.
Cause let's face it, LLMs tend to hallucinate and produce spaghetti code so I must be ready to handle them.
📊Test the Results
💭Why is incremental testing important in code prompt development?
Incremental testing is crucial in my code prompt development strategy for several reasons.
First and foremost, it allows me to systematically assess the behavior of the code in manageable steps.
Breaking down the testing process into bite-sized chunks enables me to identify and address issues.
💡Making it easier to pinpoint the source of errors or unexpected behavior.
To implement incremental testing, I typically follow a structured approach.
I begin by isolating specific components or functionalities within the code.
Testing each one independently before integrating them into the broader context.
This step-by-step testing approach helps ensure that each piece of code functions as intended before moving on to the next.
Finally, I summarize the key points of the codebase and its functionalities.
Allowing me to make informed decisions about subsequent modifications or improvements.
In order to ensure a clear understanding of the purpose and structure of the code.
At the end of the day my code prompt development strategy is all about clarity, context, and incremental testing.
🧐P.S.
I’m curious how do you navigate potential errors or exceptions when dealing with AI-generated code?
Thanks for reading 🖖
Come say hi 👋 I love to chat at LinkedIn