Getting Started with AI Programming: A Guide to AI Coding Assistants
AI can now help you complete, explain, refactor, and even automatically write functions. This article will get developers up to speed quickly.
Three Levels of AI Coding Tools
- Completion/Chat: Completion and Q&A within editors, such as GitHub Copilot.
- AI Native Editors: Deeply integrated, multi-file editable, such as Cursor and Windsurf.
- Automation Agents: Automatically write code and submit PRs for tasks, such as Devin and Jules.
Creating Products Without Coding
Generate runnable apps using natural language: v0, Lovable, and Replit.
Usage Suggestions
- Break down requirements into smaller tasks, one at a time
- Make sure to understand and test the code generated by AI
- Do not share sensitive keys or private data with cloud models
Next Steps
Check out our full recommendations: Best AI Coding Tools, or browse AI Developer Tool Categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an AI coding assistant if I don't know how to code?
While it's possible to get started, it's still recommended to have a basic understanding of programming to produce reliable code; AI is best used to accelerate and facilitate learning.
What are some examples of AI coding assistants?
Popular options include GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf, and Claude, among others.
Is code written by AI secure?
It requires review, as AI-generated code may contain vulnerabilities or outdated practices, so it's essential to thoroughly examine and test it.