How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write Your First 10 Lines of Code

Getting started with coding can feel overwhelming. You might be staring at a blank screen, unsure of where to even begin. That’s where GitHub Copilot comes in. As a coding assistant powered by AI, it can help you write your first lines of code, making the learning process more approachable. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to leverage GitHub Copilot to write your first 10 lines of code, even if you’ve never coded before.

Time Estimate: 30 Minutes

You can finish this tutorial in about 30 minutes if you follow along step-by-step.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, make sure you have:

• A GitHub account (sign up for free if you don’t have one)
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code) installed on your machine
• GitHub Copilot extension installed (comes with a free trial for new users)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set Up Visual Studio Code

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the sidebar or pressing Ctrl+Shift+X.
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and install the extension.

Step 2: Open a New File

1. Click on File > New File or press Ctrl+N.
2. Save the file with a .js extension (for JavaScript) or .py (for Python) depending on your preference.

Step 3: Write Your First Line of Code

1. Start typing a comment about what you want to do. For example, if you're coding in JavaScript, type // Function to add two numbers.
2. GitHub Copilot will automatically suggest a code snippet. If you see a suggestion you like, press Tab to accept it.

Step 4: Write More Lines

Continue by adding more comments and letting Copilot suggest code. Here’s an example sequence:

• Comment: // Function to subtract two numbers

  • Suggestion: function subtract(a, b) { return a - b; }

• Comment: // Function to multiply two numbers

  • Suggestion: function multiply(a, b) { return a * b; }

Step 5: Test Your Code

1. If you’ve written code in JavaScript, you can run it using Node.js. Install it if you don’t have it already.
2. Open a terminal in VS Code and run your script by typing node filename.js.

Expected Outputs

After you’ve written your first 10 lines of code, you should have a simple calculator with functions for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Copilot Suggestions Aren't Appearing: Make sure you’re signed into GitHub and that the Copilot extension is enabled.
• Code Doesn’t Work: Double-check your syntax and ensure you’re using the right programming language.

What’s Next?

Once you’ve successfully written your first lines of code, consider expanding your project. Try adding more functions or even building a simple user interface. You might also explore more advanced coding concepts like loops and conditionals.

Conclusion: Start Here

GitHub Copilot is an excellent tool for beginners looking to write their first lines of code. By leveraging its capabilities, you can accelerate your coding journey and build confidence as you learn.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into coding, consider checking out our podcast, Built This Week, where we discuss tools and techniques for building projects in public.