How would you use AIs to build a full scale program? Say, something like an ERP for a midsized company? Something more than asking Chat GPT to write a procedure or a function. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
For web development,
choose a stack and a database. So ask the GPT this:
1.
I come from ms access, show me some frontend/backend stacks to start with web development
Regenerate the answer multiple times. You will notice a pattern that will help you see what is the most used out there.
Then, to choose a stack, ask the GPT something like:
2.
Show me a minimal example of a frontend file and a backend file for each stack and explain what I can expect from the example. Make sure to include how the html and css files will be generated
Again, regenerate the answer multiple times, it will output a lot of stuff, so it might skip some stacks, make sure it does not skip stacks. That will let you see very quickly what you may want to dive into, for instance, I hate Angular, but love React.
Once you choose one that looks nice to you, ask something like:
3.
how should I arrange my files for ChosenStackName?
Regenerate, again, you will notice patterns. You will see all kinds of folders and file names, just as your questions about them.
Once you're done with the file structures, ask the GPT:
4.
So which folder or file from that structure should I start with?
Yes, regenerate as many times as you can, in fact, you can make suggestions of file structures you might find easier for yourself.
The GPT now knows where you're going, you can ask it something like:
5.
Show me the steps to show something on the browser using that stack right now
You know the deal, regen until you notice the patterns. Now you know what to expect, so go watch some tutorial of someone setting up an app with that stack. And make adaptations.
Make it work. Copy the tutorial, whatever, just make it work. Then, ask the GPT:
6.
How can I adapt this file for an ERP app? and paste the snippet of code from the tutorial.
Make your adaptations. For example, if in the tutorial, they were using MongoDB and you want to use MySQL, ask the GPT for those adaptations.
This is just an example. When I started there was no GPT, but after watching the outputs to these questions I assure you it will give you very decent results. I'm in fact thrilled about some of the responses and I'm already questioning my beliefs. This is absolutely normal in web development, there's a lot of hype everywhere, but if you focus on one stack and you stay there, it will give you results. Problems arise when you're always looking for the newest, shiniest framework. The antidote is to focus on mature, proven frameworks instead of new ones. Old is not always bad, if it's old and relevant today, it's because it works.
Regarding the topic of this thread, the GPT can help you tons here. But it only has a certain "scope" to work with, you must be the captain in charge of the entire project, you can't upload all your workspace and expect it to understand it all for you (not yet, anyway, give it a few months, hint: it won't be free). I pay for copilot, but even though it's supposed to read my workspace, it can't quite do the thing yet, it's still very good suggesting autocompletion, it's good file scoped, but not workspace scoped. So, again, make something work first, then ask the GPT to make adaptations to the thing that already works, file by file. For that, it's very good.
