Fun and Functional Coding for Non-Coders Using AI
In the fast-paced world of technology, using AI to assist in coding can significantly boost your productivity. Whether you’re an experienced developer or just starting out, AI tools can streamline the coding process and help you realize your ideas. If you’ve been following my work lately, you’ll notice I’ve published a few web apps and games. It’s no surprise that these were created with the assistance of AI. Let me walk you through how you can use AI to code, starting with the fundamentals and gradually refining your project.
1. Pick an Environment to Work In
The first step in any coding journey is selecting an environment to work in. For beginners and professionals alike, I recommend starting with the trifecta of web development: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These technologies are:
- Accessible: You only need a text editor and a browser to get started.
- Visual: You can see immediate results in your browser.
- Flexible: They allow you to create anything from static webpages to dynamic applications.
If you’re looking for environments specifically tailored for beginners, here are some additional options:
- Visual Studio Code (VS Code): A free, beginner-friendly code editor with features like syntax highlighting and extensions to make coding easier.
- CodePen: An online code editor ideal for experimenting with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in real-time.
- Replit: A browser-based coding platform that supports many programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, and HTML.
- Glitch: A collaborative platform that allows you to build and remix simple web applications without complex setup.
If you’re new to coding, start small. Create a folder on your computer for your project, or use one of these platforms to begin writing your first lines of code!
2. Build a Simple Interface
If this is too complicated for you, feel free to interrupt the AI at any time to ask for simpler steps or how to execute the code. Here’s a sample prompt you can use to generate the code using AI tools:
Prompt:
“I want to create a basic HTML file that displays an image dynamically using JavaScript. Please provide the code and include annotations explaining each line. Be sure to include clear, beginner-friendly comments explaining the purpose of each line.”
That brings us this response:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<!-- Define the character encoding and make the page responsive -->
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Dynamic Image Example</title>
<!-- Apply basic styling for the body and images -->
<style>
body {
font-family: Arial, sans-serif; /* Use a clean font for readability */
text-align: center; /* Center align text and elements */
margin-top: 50px; /* Add space at the top of the page */
}
img {
max-width: 100%; /* Make the image responsive */
height: auto; /* Maintain the aspect ratio */
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<!-- Page heading -->
<h1>Welcome to My AI-Assisted Project</h1>
<!-- Informational text -->
<p>Here is an image displayed dynamically:</p>
<!-- Placeholder for the dynamic image -->
<div id="imageContainer"></div>
<script>
// Define the URL of the image to display
const imageUrl = 'https://via.placeholder.com/600'; // Replace with your image URL
// Create an image element dynamically
const imgElement = document.createElement('img');
imgElement.src = imageUrl; // Set the source of the image
imgElement.alt = 'Dynamic Image'; // Set alternate text for accessibility
// Append the image to the container div
document.getElementById('imageContainer').appendChild(imgElement);
</script>
</body>
</html>
This simple example dynamically displays an image on the webpage. Each line is annotated to explain its purpose. You can copy this text into any text editor and save as an html file and then check it out in your web browser! Once you have the basics in place, you can start iterating.
3. Iteratively Add Features Using AI
With your foundation ready, it’s time to leverage AI for enhancements. Here’s how an iterative process might look:
a. Define the Next Step
Ask yourself: What do you want your project to do next? For example, you might want to:
Allow users to upload their own images.
Add animations or styles.
Create a gallery of images with captions.
b. Use AI to Generate Suggestions
Here’s where AI tools like ChatGPT shine. You can prompt the AI with specific tasks. For instance:
“Add a feature to let users upload an image and display it dynamically on the page.”
The AI might provide:
const uploadInput = document.createElement('input');
uploadInput.type = 'file';
uploadInput.accept = 'image/*';
uploadInput.addEventListener('change', function(event) {
const file = event.target.files[0];
if (file) {
const reader = new FileReader();
reader.onload = function(e) {
imgElement.src = e.target.result;
};
reader.readAsDataURL(file);
}
});
document.body.appendChild(uploadInput);
c. Test and Refine
Implement the suggestion, test it in your browser, and refine it further. If you want the uploaded image to have a frame, ask the AI:
“How can I style the image with a border and shadow effect?”
The AI might suggest updating the CSS or dynamically adding a class.
d. Expand the Scope
As you gain confidence, you can expand your project. Consider adding:
- Interactivity: Allow users to add captions or manipulate the image.
- Backend Integration: Save user-uploaded images to a server.
- AI-Powered Features: Use AI APIs to analyze or transform the uploaded images.
4. Iterate Towards Complexity
As your project evolves, the iterative cycle of adding features, testing, and refining will guide you to create more complex and functional applications. By relying on AI to assist with coding, you can:
- Overcome writer’s block.
- Learn best practices.
- Accelerate development.
5. Troubleshooting Tips
Troubleshooting is a natural part of the coding process. If you encounter errors, don’t hesitate to provide the error messages or screenshots of what’s happening—this can help AI tools or others provide targeted solutions quickly. Coding becomes less intimidating when you realize help is just a question or a screenshot away!
Concluding Thoughts
Using AI to code isn’t about replacing developers; it’s about enhancing creativity and productivity. With what you’ve created so far, you have the foundation for a dynamic and interactive project. This journey can be a powerful learning experience, showing how AI tools can break down complex coding tasks into manageable steps.
I’m looking forward to creating a series on AI for coding in the classroom. These lessons will explore how educators and students can harness AI to foster creativity, build coding skills, and solve real-world problems. Together, we can redefine how coding is taught and learned. Stay tuned for more!
