How to Write Your First Program Using AI Assistants in Under 30 Minutes

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into programming but felt overwhelmed by the complexity, you’re not alone. Many aspiring coders feel intimidated by the sheer amount of information out there. But here's the good news: with AI assistants, you can write your first program in under 30 minutes. Yes, it’s possible, and I’m going to show you how.

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, there are a few things you'll need:

1. A computer: Windows, Mac, or Linux will work.
2. An internet connection: Most AI coding tools operate online.
3. A text editor: You can use something simple like Notepad or a more advanced IDE like Visual Studio Code.

You don’t need any prior coding experience, and you can finish this in about 30 minutes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Write Your First Program

Step 1: Choose Your AI Coding Assistant

There are numerous AI coding tools available, but not all are created equal. Here’s a quick comparison of some popular options:

| Tool Name | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |-------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo, free trial | Code suggestions in IDE | Requires IDE setup | We use this for quick coding | | ChatGPT | Free + $20/mo Pro | Conversational coding help | Limited coding context | Great for beginners | | Codeium | Free tier + $19/mo Pro | Autocompletion and snippets | May miss complex logic | Good for enhancing productivity | | Replit | Free + $7/mo Pro | Online coding environment | Performance can lag | Use for collaborative projects | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo Pro | AI-powered autocompletion | Limited to specific languages | We find it useful for Python | | CodeWhisperer | $19/mo | AWS integrations | AWS-centric features | Good for AWS users |

Step 2: Set Up Your Environment

• Install the Tool: For tools like GitHub Copilot, install the extension in your IDE. For ChatGPT, just open the website.
• Choose a Programming Language: For this guide, we'll use Python, as it’s beginner-friendly.

Step 3: Write Your First Program

1. Open your text editor or IDE.

2. Type a simple command: For example, ask your AI assistant, "Can you help me write a Python program that prints 'Hello, World!'?"

3. Follow the suggestions: Your AI assistant will generate code. Copy it into your editor.

   Expected output:

   print("Hello, World!")
   

4. Run the program: If you’re using an IDE like Replit, just click “Run.” If you’re using a local environment, save the file as hello.py and run it using the command python hello.py in your terminal.

Step 4: Experiment with Modifications

Now that you have a basic program running, ask your AI assistant to modify it. For instance, request a version that asks for user input and then prints a personalized greeting.

Expected output:

name = input("What's your name? ")
print(f"Hello, {name}!")

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Error Messages: If you encounter errors, ask your AI assistant for help. For example, "What does this error mean?"
• No Output: Ensure you've saved and run your file correctly. Verify that your environment is set up properly.

What's Next?

Once you’ve successfully run your first program, consider exploring more complex projects. You could try building a simple calculator or a to-do list app. Use your AI assistant to guide you through these projects.

Conclusion

Getting started with coding doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right AI tools, you can write your first program in under 30 minutes. Start with the tools mentioned above, and don’t hesitate to experiment and ask for help.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into coding, check out our podcast, Built This Week, where we discuss tools and strategies for building in public.