Coding with AI

2022: My “Whatever” Phase with GitHub Copilot

I tried GitHub Copilot back when it was new. It felt… fine. Autocompleted a line here, guessed a loop there. Helpful, but not life-changing.

“Cool, but can it fix my WordPress plugin errors?” Nope.
“Will it stop me from Googling PHP syntax?” Nope.

So I shelved it.

2023: ChatGPT Entered the Chat (Literally)

When ChatGPT blew up, I used it for jokes and random trivia. Coding? “Nah, AI can’t debug.”

Then, one day, I pasted a cryptic WordPress error into ChatGPT.

It fixed the code in seconds.

Game. Changed.

Suddenly, I wasn’t just asking it about pizza recipes. I used it to:

  • Debug PHP (“Why is this hook breaking?” → Instant fix).
  • Rewrite clunky emails (My English isn’t perfect—thanks, ChatGPT).
  • Explain AWS errors (No more drowning in docs).
2024: Amazon Q Became My New Copilot

I stumbled on Amazon Q while browsing AWS (ironic, since I don’t even use AWS much). Turns out, it’s like Copilot 2.0 for general coding.

How I use it now:

  • Replace boilerplate code: Start typing a function → Amazon Q finishes it.
  • Fix outdated suggestions: Sometimes it whiffs (like suggesting old PHP methods), but 80% of the time, it’s solid.
  • Ditch Copilot: Sorry, GitHub—Amazon Q’s just… smoother.

Example:

// Me: Start typing a WordPress hook...  

add_action('init', function() {  
  // Amazon Q suggests:  
  register_post_type('custom_project', [  
    'public' => true,  
    'label'  => 'Projects',  
  ]);  
});
“But What About My Job?” (Relax, Let’s Talk)

AI can’t:

  • Read minds: No tool will decode a client’s “make it pop but minimalist” nonsense.
  • Handle cursed legacy code: Your 2010 WordPress site with 15 plugins? That’s your problem.
  • Replace creativity: AI writes code. You solve problems.

The real threat? Developers who ignore AI. I’ve seen “purists” waste hours debugging while I ship fixes faster.

The Messy Truth (Nobody Talks About)
  • AI isn’t perfect: These GenAI sometimes suggests deprecated code. Always double-check.
  • Security matters: Don’t paste client code into public AI tools. Duh.
  • Ethics > speed: Use it to enhance your work—not replace thinking.
Why Bother? (Spoiler: Time = Money)
  • Free tiers exist: ChatGPT’s free version handles 90% of my needs.
  • Learn once, save hours: Mastering Amazon Q took a weekend. Now I save 10+ hours a week.
  • Clients love speed: “How’d you fix that so fast?” “Oh, just magic.”
Final Takeaway

I used to think AI was hype. Now? It’s my unpaid intern.

You don’t need to go full robot. Just:

  1. Try Amazon Q next time you code.
  2. Ask ChatGPT to debug one error this week.
  3. Stop Googling PHP syntax. Seriously, unless you really need to.