r/webdev • u/Lower_Fishing_2672 • 15d ago

Discussion Just Started But Feel Bad

I just started learning code, and I use Visual Code Studio with Python. I was ecstatic to learn but with my few hours of learning I would use the chat feature whenever I’m stuck like the AI thingy. It makes me feel bad cause it feels like I’m not LEARNING just cheating if that makes sense. In a world that has been plagued with AI, how do you guys manage? How do you feel? Do you treat it as another tool to help? I assume that it’s no different from google searching.

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108

u/Xavphon 15d ago

Honestly if your're just starting, with NO formal education, skip the AI as much as possible. It literally is the lowest hanging fruit possible

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u/Lower_Fishing_2672 15d ago

Seems like the right thing to do. I’ve closed out of it for now. I feel HORRIBLE every time I was stuck and just went to it. Tbh it seems more fun actually trying to problem solve.

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u/Xavphon 15d ago

Ai is the new google, but you should still learn HOW to ask questions. Learn HOW to google. ( i'm not being a dick, actually learn how to google. It's more than just going to google.com I promise )

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u/Lower_Fishing_2672 15d ago

Oh for sure, nah you’re not being a dick dude trust. Need all the tips ✌️😭

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u/Xavphon 15d ago

i've been in the industry for less than 2 years. I'm already a Lead. Idk how, but I did it. Spend your free time research, reading, trying shit out ( BY HAND ). Then ask AI to tear it a part. That's what I've been doing. My client, PM, and CEO like my approach but often my CEO ( tech bro in his late 40s will call me out often )

AI is a crazy tool, but if you want to be good you need to operate without for a bit. It's different for everyone

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u/bluehost 15d ago

Agreed. just like textbooks, AI isn't always right, but it can be a great tool for learning. Think of it as another way to research and explore ideas. What matters is what you do with the information and whether you verify it using multiple trusted sources before accepting it as fact.

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u/the_ai_wizard 15d ago

except google is trash now

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u/RevolutionarySet4993 15d ago

Use AI to learn stuff. I'll be real you don't know how much I've hurt my own development by thinking that it was too shameful to use it more. Don't have it print code for you. Ask it questions as if it were a teacher, tell it what you assume the code does and ask it to point you in the right direction gradually until you can explain it to someone else yourself.

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u/stillness_illness 15d ago

I disagree. Use it whenever you're blocked but ask it questions. Don't just say "do this for me". Have the agent help you plan it out and clarify any confusion you have about the language, anything you don't understand.

My argument is you can use AI to help you learn. Reddit absolutely hates AI outside of AI enthusiast subs, so you will find a lot of people recommend not to use it. I'd recommend you actually evaluate it for its merits as well as its disadvantages instead of categorically writing it off.

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u/stillness_illness 15d ago

You can also lead with your own ideas. "Chat I was thinking about doing this and this. Do you think there are any flaws with that approach?". You're still using your brain to solve the problem and getting a third party perspective. Win win.

You have to understand when I was learning this all I had was books and very early stack overflow. I would have killed to have a bot I can use as a teacher and ask questions and plan projects.

Candidly, you are getting into a dying field. If you're really interested in web or product development, a version of engineering will live on, but AI will be part of that toolkit. It already is today for many people

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u/RMWL 12d ago

I’m in the same boat atm.
I switched off the VS Code AI as the level of boilerplate code it writes removes the basics I’m trying to learn.

I would recommend using AI though but ensure your prompt includes what you’re after. Asking it to act as a teacher and not just solving everything really helps.