As a developer, crafting code can be both enjoyable and challenging. However, there are times when we encounter arduous, repetitive, and tedious tasks that can lead to immense frustration. That's why Microsoft-owned GitHub, the web-based platform for version control and collaborative software development using Git, recently launched GitHub Copilot. This AI-powered code suggestion and autocomplete tool is a game-changer for developers, as it helps make our coding journey smoother and more efficient.
How to install it
Using GitHub Copilot in your projects is pretty simple! All you need is a Github account and Visual Studio Code installed on your computer. Once you've installed the Copilot extension from the VS Code marketplace, simply sign in to your GitHub account in Visual Studio Code to authorize it, if you haven't already done it.
After that, GitHub will request for the necessary permissions for Copilot in your browser. To approve these permissions, just click on the "Authorize Visual Studio Code" button and you're all set to start using Copilot in your coding projects.
Top Ways to Use GitHub Copilot in Your Projects
We've consulted with our expert developers, and here are the top ways they leverage Copilot in their daily workflows.
- Writing repetitive code
Copilot can be a huge help in reducing the amount of repetitive code you have to write. By analyzing your code and understanding its structure, Copilot can suggest code snippets that can be reused throughout your project. This means you can spend less time writing boilerplate code and more time focusing on the unique aspects of your project.
- Testing your code
Software testing is crucial, but it can be a monotonous and time-consuming task. Fortunately, GitHub Copilot's powerful pattern recognition and completion abilities can help make the process more efficient and less tedious.
Copilot can be used to generate tests for code by simply providing a comment that describes what you want to test. It uses its understanding of context and programming concepts to generate test code that covers edge cases, boundary conditions, and other scenarios. This can save you time and improve the quality of your code by ensuring that it is thoroughly tested.
- Convert Comments to Code
In addition to generating tests, Copilot can assist with generating code itself. One way to do this is by using comments to indicate the desired code. For example, you can ask Copilot to create a function by commenting on it, and it will generate the code for you. This can save you time and effort in the development process, as Copilot can leverage its understanding of programming concepts and context to generate code that meets your needs.
GitHub Copilot is a game-changing tool for developers that can improve coding efficiency and productivity. By following the simple installation process and utilizing its code generation, software testing, and comment-to-code conversion abilities, Copilot can streamline your workflow and take your coding skills to the next level.
