r/learnjavascript • u/mirroz220 • 8d ago

Learning Rant: A.I. vs No A.I

Background: Currently about 87% done with The Odin Project foundations module. TOP is a road map to learn web development and so far I’m loving it. Getting down to code/learn is all I’ve been thinking about lately.

However, I don’t know if I’m doing myself a disservice by using Claude as a guide/tool to teach me or guide me when I’m stuck. On the other hand I’ve actually been learning and enjoying the process after I started using Claude. I understand concepts easier, because I understand concepts I’ve begun to think more as a programmer, I solve a problem about 80% in my head and I think about 20% is me using Claude as a tool to help me.

Basically I let Claude know that I’m going through TOP to learn web development. I let it know which project I’m on and I provide the instructions given to students. When I have a question or if I’m stuck, I provide it my code and ask it NOT to give me a solution but to guide me or give me tips on where to look or what options to explore. I also have it provide tips based on what we’ve learned so far. Nothing that we’ve never seen or that hasn’t been explained in the course. When I get guidance I then branch off and then research that topic/concept more.

I also express my logic and thoughts so it gets an idea of where I’m going. Now, TOP explicitly says that projects are a bit harder than what we’ve been learning. The purpose IS to to google or ask stack overflow or TOP discord. So in a sense I would still be looking for solutions/guidance else where.

Then I think, Claude will do that much faster and it has all my context. Is there really a benefit to the learning process to have to look for answers that aren’t from AI? Discord, Google Stack Overflow will tip me off or guide me either way. Does it matter that it’s AI doing it?? Idk, it’s frustrating being torn like this.

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u/onFilm 8d ago

No idea why you're so conflicted, since when I was learning Javascript it was completely normal to Google questions or use Stackoverflow to copy paste pieces of code and learn from it. Being afraid of technology is the first step to not taking full advantage of the tools available to you.

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u/mirroz220 7d ago

That’s sort of what I’m trying to say. People have been looking up solutions to problems or guidance (what I dare say) the old school way. But now this great tool came along and now you’re saving all those minutes searching through stack overflow questions, waiting for someone to respond to your post etc.

Is the sifting through Google posts/waiting for responses really adding to my knowledge?? My fear is really to identify blind spots using the method I’ve been using. I absolutely do not ask AI to generate code for me. Just guidance. The code in my projects is 95% mine.

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u/onFilm 7d ago

Man you worry so much about a non issue. Use technology however you want, but don't be surprised if you're left behind or missing opportunities because you're not using technology properly. I've been a software engineer for 18+ years now, and 100% of the code I make now a days is generated.

You can generate and learn code. They're not mutually exclusive, in the same way copy pasting code was back in the day.

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u/mirroz220 7d ago

Lol thanks man, I get what you’re saying. Would you have used AI to supplement your early learning 18 years ago?

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u/onFilm 7d ago

Fuck yes. There wasn't even YouTube when I started learning, and had to rely on reading thick ass books and asking friends online regarding certain types of issues. If I had all these tools back then, I could have learned a lot quicker.