Why AI for coding?
Efficient: automatic code/documentation generation
Speed: accelerate data analysis pipeline development
Troubleshooting: get instant help with complex R/python errors
What is an AI Coding Assistant?
Definition: Large language model (LLMs) trained on massive code datasets.
Key capabilities: Code generation, code completion, Documentation, Language translation (e.g., python to R)
Set Clear Expectations: AI is a pair programmer, not a replacement for developer judgment. It accelerates work but requires human oversight.
Key Features of AI Coding Assistants
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Code suggestions | Provides code suggestions based on comments and file context |
| Context-aware completions | Offers context-aware code completions based on all or a part of the codebase |
| Test generation | Analyzes code to generate tests |
| User-IDE interaction | Automatically provides guidance as users type code in the IDE; Chat within IDE |
| Code analysis | Analyze code snippets to provide reliable code prediction and tag suspicious code |
| Bug detection and fixing | Identifies bugs and suggests to fix them |
| Code autodocumentation | Automatically adds docstrings and enhances code documentation |
| Routine task automation | Helps with code creation for routine or time-consuming tasks |
| API and SDK usage optimization | Aids in making correct and effective use of APIs and SDKs |
| Open source discovery and attribution | Facilitates discovery and attribution of open source code and libraries |
*Source: AI-Assisted Programming, by Tom Taulli (O’REILLY)
Popular Tools for AI coding
Chat-based (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude)
Best for: reasoning, debugging, learning, prompt iteration
IDE-integrated (Github Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code)
Best for: writing code faster inside existing projects
Best Practices for Using AI Tools in Coding
AI coding assistants can significantly boost productivity, but their effectiveness depends on how well you interact with them. These guidelines help you get the most out of AI tools while maintaining code quality and continuing to grow as a programmer.
1. Crafting Good Prompts
The quality of AI output is directly tied to the quality of your input. A well-structured prompt produces a focused, accurate response.
1.1 Define the problem clearly
Before asking for help, take a moment to think about exactly what you need. Vague requests lead to generic answers.
❌ "Fix my code."
✅ "I'm trying to optimize this Python function that clusters sequence alignment positions recursively, but it's too slow for large inputs. How can I improve it?"
1.2 Specify language, framework, and version
Always include your technical environment to avoid receiving outdated or incompatible suggestions.
✅ "I have a Python script written in Python 2.7. Could you modify it to be compatible with Python 3.8?"
1.3 Break complex problems into smaller steps
For large tasks, ask about one piece at a time — a specific function, how to test it, and then how to integrate it — rather than requesting a full solution in a single prompt.
2. Getting the Most from Responses
2.1 Ask for explanations, not just code
Request that the AI explain *how* and *why* a solution works. This reinforces your understanding and helps you apply the same thinking to future problems.
✅ "Can you explain why you're using a heuristic search algorithm here and how it improves time complexity?"
2.2 Iterate and refine
If the first response isn't quite right, follow up with specific feedback rather than starting over. AI tools improve significantly with targeted clarification.
✅ "The solution works, but it doesn't handle edge cases where the input is negative. Can you adjust it?"
2.3 Request test cases
Ask for test cases alongside any function or algorithm to verify correctness, especially for edge cases.
✅ "Can you provide test cases to verify this sorting algorithm handles empty lists and duplicate values?"
3. Code Quality and Review
3.1 Use AI for code reviews
AI tools can spot inefficiencies, suggest readability improvements, and flag deviations from best practices — use them as a first-pass reviewer before a human review.
✅ "Can you review this Python function for inefficiencies or readability improvements?"
3.2 Use AI to assist debugging
When debugging, provide the exact error message and a clear description of the intended behavior. The more context, the better the diagnosis.
✅ "I'm getting a
TypeErrorin this Python code when performing a log transformation. Here is the function and the full error message. Can you help identify the cause?"
4. Critical Thinking and Validation
4.1 Always review and test AI-generated code
AI tools can produce plausible-looking but incorrect or suboptimal code, especially for complex logic. Never treat output as production-ready without thorough review and testing.
4.2 Cross-reference for critical components
For security-sensitive or functionally critical code, validate AI suggestions against official documentation or have them reviewed by an experienced developer.
4.3 Be aware of knowledge limitations
AI tools have a training data cutoff and may suggest deprecated libraries, outdated APIs, or obsolete syntax. Always verify that suggested dependencies and methods are current.
5. Using AI as a Learning Tool
AI tools are most valuable when they make you a better developer, not just a faster one.
- Ask the AI to explain new concepts or techniques it introduces in its responses.
- Use it to explore unfamiliar languages or frameworks interactively.
- If you can't explain the code it generated, dig deeper before using it.
✅ "You used dimensionality reduction in this solution. Can you explain what it is and when it should be used?"
Summary
| Principle | Key Action |
|---|---|
| Clear prompts | Define problem, context, and environment upfront |
| Iterative dialogue | Refine with follow-up questions |
| Understand the output | Ask for explanations alongside code |
| Validate thoroughly | Test, review, and cross-reference critical code |
| Keep learning | Use AI to understand, not just to copy |
