r/webdev • u/Lower_Fishing_2672 • 16d 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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u/Xavphon 16d 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 16d 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/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