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Published Aug. 14, 2023


OVER-RELYING ON CHATGPT FOR TECHNICAL CODING INTERVIEW CHALLENGES

Using AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, I tried my hand at design and
backend coding. While I nailed a book cover design, the coding gig taught me
that there's no shortcut to real expertise!
By Michal Tomasik in Guides
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As luck would have it, I stumbled upon a Facebook group where someone was on the
hunt for a unique book cover. Seizing the opportunity, I spent one evening
playing around with Midjourney, feeding it various text descriptions and
watching as it effortlessly turned them into magnificent book cover designs. A
few iterations and some feedback later, I had in my hand versions of covers that
the client loved. To my amazement, I had earned my first $50 as a designer, all
thanks to AI!


A SURPRISING JUMP INTO DESIGN

My journey began somewhat unexpectedly with Midjourney. For the uninitiated,
Midjourney is a platform that uses AI to turn text inputs into visual art. Think
of it as having a digital artist at your fingertips, waiting for your every
command. And, as someone with zero formal training in design, the allure of this
tool was undeniable.

One day, while idly scrolling through a Facebook group, I chanced upon a post
from someone desperately seeking a book cover designer. Seeing an opportunity, I
decided to put Midjourney to the test. Inputting various textual descriptions, I
watched in awe as the platform transformed words into visual masterpieces in
mere moments. After a few iterations and some tweaks based on the client's
feedback, I found myself with a series of impressive book covers.

The end result? A happy client, a newly minted 'designer' (yours truly), and a
cool $50 in my pocket. The success was exhilarating, and it set the wheels in
motion for my next experiment.


IMMERSING WITH BACKEND DEVELOPMENT

Emboldened by this success, I pondered: could I replicate this victory in the
realm of backend coding? I wasn’t a stranger to AI's prowess. With ChatGPT, I
had previously obtained quality pieces of code, intricate regex patterns, and
those tricky validation functions that every coder dreads. Out of curiosity, I
even tried pasting raw tasks directly into ChatGPT, observing the varied and
often ingenious solutions it proposed.

However, while it's one thing to generate snippets or tackle isolated tasks,
building a comprehensive backend application is an entirely different beast. My
knowledge was admittedly generalist at best. I had never served in a
professional capacity as a backend developer. My understanding of the current
trends, best practices, and nuanced standards was lacking, to say the least.
And, as I would soon discover, this gap in expertise would be my undoing.

// Configure Express app
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  secret: 'your-secret-key',
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}));

// Initialize database tables
db.serialize(() => {
  db.run('CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS users (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT, username TEXT, password TEXT)');
  db.run('CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS puzzles (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT, userId INTEGER, puzzleNumber INTEGER, solution TEXT)');
});

// Helper function to check if the user is authenticated
function isAuthenticated(req: Request): boolean {
  return req.session && req.session.userId !== undefined;
}


REALITY CHECK

After considerable effort and countless hours, I believed I had a viable
product. To validate my efforts, I approached a senior Backend developer for
feedback, confident in the work I'd accomplished.

The feedback, however, was a reality check. My app, while functional, lacked the
finesse and architectural depth seen in professional projects. It was clear that
I had missed the intricacies and nuances that only come from years of hands-on
experience and deep domain knowledge.

The lesson was evident: "Tools, no matter how advanced, are only as good as the
hands wielding them. While ChatGPT offered solutions, it couldn't replicate the
strategic planning, foresight, and architectural know-how a seasoned developer
brings to the table."


REFLECTIONS & LESSONS LEARNED

Looking back, my adventures in design and coding, powered by AI, were a
rollercoaster of emotions. From the highs of selling my first-ever design piece
to the lows of realizing that backend development was not something I could just
'hack' with a tool, the journey was enlightening.

Every experience, whether it ends in success or not, comes bearing lessons, and
my tryst with AI in design and backend development was no different. Here's a
deeper dive into the insights I gleaned from my journey:

1. There's No True Shortcut to Mastery:

It's tempting to believe that in our age of rapidly evolving technology, with
tools like AI at our fingertips, mastering a new skill can be achieved
overnight. However, while these tools can accelerate the learning process, they
can't replace the hours, days, and years of practice and immersion required to
truly master a craft. True expertise isn't just about knowing how to do
something but understanding the why behind it.

2. Tools Enhance, Not Replace:

AI platforms like ChatGPT and Midjourney are incredibly powerful in their
capabilities. They democratize access to skills, giving novices a taste of areas
they might not have ventured into otherwise. But it's crucial to remember that
these tools should be seen as enhancers or facilitators. They can't replicate
the depth of human creativity, intuition, or strategic thinking.

3. Learning to Ask the Right Questions:

My time with ChatGPT, in particular, taught me the importance of inquiry. While
the tool can generate solutions, the quality and applicability of those
solutions often depend on the specificity and clarity of the questions posed.
It's a reminder that even in the age of AI, critical thinking remains
invaluable.

4. The Importance of Feedback:

One of the biggest lessons from this journey was understanding the significance
of external feedback. Whether you're using traditional methods or AI tools,
regularly seeking feedback is vital. It provides perspective, exposes blind
spots, and offers a route for course correction. Without the input from the
senior Backend developer, I might have continued in my mistaken belief of having
created a stellar product.

5. Respecting Boundaries:


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Steedan Crowe
Technical Product Manager at Hopper
Louie Arthur
Group Technical Program … at Dropbox
Maria Teresa St…
Senior UX Designer at Cerved Group S…
Anastasia Karav…
Data Science Advisor at Blue Yonder
Eric Jude
Business Coach / Startup… at Seedstars
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Software Engineer at Optimizely
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Senior SRE/Chaos Enginee… at Talend
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While AI is transformative, it's also essential to recognize its limitations.
Pushing a tool beyond its scope can lead to subpar outcomes. It's akin to using
a screwdriver as a hammer; it might work temporarily, but it's not a sustainable
or efficient approach.

6. Embracing Failures as Learning Points:

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, this entire adventure taught me the value
of embracing failures. Not getting the desired result in backend development was
initially disappointing, but it also provided a wealth of insights. Each misstep
became an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow.

In conclusion, while AI offers a world of possibilities, it's essential to
approach it with a balanced perspective. Tools are designed to assist and
enhance human capabilities, not replace them. The synergy between human
expertise and technological advancements, like AI, is where the true magic
happens. As we navigate this exciting landscape, it's vital to remain curious,
open to learning, and always value the human element.


WRAPPING UP

 This experience, though initially disheartening, has been instrumental in
shaping my approach to technology. In my subsequent mentorship sessions and
frontend classes, the emphasis shifted from mere tool utilization to a more
holistic understanding. While AI tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney are potent
allies, they are not replacements for deep-rooted knowledge and expertise.

To all the passionate tech enthusiasts out there: dive deep into the core
concepts, and use AI tools as supplements, not crutches. In the fast-evolving
world of technology, foundational knowledge combined with the judicious use of
tools will always be your best bet.

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SIDEBAR

Michal Tomasik
Web3 Frontend Developer @ Freelance

🔥September PROMO🔥 Frontend Development Mastery with Reactjs Awaits!

Skills
JavaScript ReactJS webDevelopment HTML CSS
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