Use Case

Code Generation

Write, debug, and explain code with AI assistance

Overview

AI models excel at generating code across multiple languages. From writing functions from scratch to debugging existing code, AI can significantly speed up your development workflow.

The key is providing clear context about your requirements, including the programming language, expected behavior, and any constraints.

Key Techniques

Role-Based

Assign a persona like "senior developer" or "security expert" for specialized code

Few-Shot

Provide input-output examples to match your expected format

Chain-of-Thought

Ask for step-by-step reasoning in complex algorithms

XML Tags

Separate requirements, constraints, and test cases clearly

Examples

Example 1: Function Generation
Prompt
Write a Python function that calculates the Fibonacci sequence up to n numbers. Include: - Type hints - Docstring - Error handling for invalid input
Output
def fibonacci(n: int) -> list[int]: """Generate Fibonacci sequence up to n numbers. Args: n: Number of Fibonacci numbers to generate Returns: List of Fibonacci numbers Raises: ValueError: If n is negative """ if n < 0: raise ValueError("n must be non-negative") if n == 0: return [] if n == 1: return [0] sequence = [0, 1] while len(sequence) < n: sequence.append(sequence[-1] + sequence[-2]) return sequence[:n]
Example 2: Debugging
Prompt
Debug this JavaScript function. It should find the index of a target value in a sorted array but returns -1 incorrectly: function findIndex(arr, target) { for (let i = 0; i < arr.length; i++) { if (arr[i] == target) { return i; } } return arr.length; }
Output
Bug Found: Line 8 returns arr.length instead of -1

Fix:
return -1;

Explanation: When the target isn't found, the function should return -1 (standard convention), not the array length.

Best Practices

  • 01
    Specify the language and version

    Python 3.10+ vs Python 3.8 may use different features

  • 02
    Include test cases

    Show expected inputs and outputs to validate behavior

  • 03
    Ask for explanations

    Request the AI to explain complex code it generates

  • 04
    Iterate and refine

    Build on generated code with follow-up prompts

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