Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- How GitHub Copilot works?
- Key features of Copilot
- Benefits
- Steps to install & use on VSCode
- Considerations & Limitations
- Copilot Pricing Model
Did you know that GitHub Copilot is transforming how developers write code? This AI-powered tool accelerates development by offering smart code completions and suggestions. By automating repetitive tasks and delivering valuable insights, Copilot allows developers to focus more on innovation and problem-solving. Developers are always looking for ways to streamline their workflows and improve the quality of their code.
In this blog, we’ll explore what GitHub Copilot is, how it works, its benefits, and some considerations to keep in mind when using it.
What is GitHub Copilot?
At its core, GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code completion tool that assists developers by suggesting entire lines or blocks of code based on the context of what the developer is writing. Built on OpenAI’s Codex model, which is a descendant of GPT-3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), Copilot is trained on a vast amount of public code from GitHub’s repositories, making it capable of understanding various programming languages, frameworks, and coding patterns.
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Copilot can suggest anything from simple syntax to entire functions, enabling developers to write code faster, reduce repetitive tasks, and even discover new programming techniques.
How GitHub Copilot Works
GitHub Copilot operates by analysing the code you write, understanding the patterns within it, and then using machine learning models to predict the next part of the code. Here’s a simplified breakdown of its process:
- Input: You begin by writing some code or even just a comment describing what you want to do (e.g., “Create a function to reverse a string”).
- Prediction: GitHub Copilot, powered by the Codex model, processes your input and looks at millions of lines of code that are similar to what you’re trying to achieve.
- Suggestion: Copilot suggests code based on its understanding of your request. It could offer a single line or an entire function.
- User Feedback: You can accept, modify, or reject the suggestions. Over time, Copilot learns from the choices you make to refine its suggestions.
This interactive feedback loop between the developer and Copilot is what makes it an evolving tool, becoming more aligned with the specific needs of the user over time.
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Key Features of GitHub Copilot
- Context-Aware Code Completion
Copilot doesn’t just provide random suggestions; it adapts to the context of the code you’re working on. This means if you’re building a function, Copilot will intelligently suggest the next few lines based on what you’ve written so far. - Multi-Language Support
While it’s most famous for supporting Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, and Go, GitHub Copilot also offers suggestions for dozens of other languages, including C++, Java, Rust, PHP, and more. - DocString Generation
Copilot can generate docstrings for functions, making it easier for developers to document their code. Simply start typing a comment, and Copilot can provide a full docstring based on the function’s signature and the parameters involved. - Learning from Your Code
As you continue to use Copilot, it learns your coding style and preferences, which makes it better at suggesting code that fits your needs over time. - Code Refactoring
Copilot can assist in refactoring your code by suggesting cleaner, more optimised versions of existing code, which is especially helpful for improving performance and readability.
Benefits of Using GitHub Copilot
1. Boosts Developer Productivity
The most immediate benefit of Copilot is the time it saves. By reducing the amount of boilerplate code you have to write manually, Copilot allows you to focus more on the creative aspects of coding. Whether it’s auto-completing common functions or generating repetitive code, Copilot helps you get your work done faster.
2. Assists with Learning and Exploration
For beginners or developers exploring new languages or frameworks, Copilot acts as an interactive tutor. It can suggest solutions and alternatives that a novice developer might not have thought of, exposing them to new libraries, best practices, or advanced features.
3. Reduces Cognitive Load
Writing code can sometimes be mentally taxing, especially when dealing with complex algorithms or syntax-heavy languages. Copilot eases the mental burden by automating parts of the coding process, letting developers focus on problem-solving instead of wrestling with syntax.
4. Improves Code Quality
GitHub Copilot’s ability to suggest clean, efficient, and well-structured code can help improve the quality of your work. It can suggest optimisations, error handling, and even identify potential bugs you might have missed. This, in turn, helps in producing more reliable, maintainable code.
5. Boosts Confidence for Beginners
For new developers, Copilot can offer a confidence boost by providing hints and solutions, making them feel supported as they learn to code. It’s a great tool to help reduce frustration and speed up the learning curve, especially when tackling unfamiliar programming tasks.
Steps to install & use GitHub Copilot on VSCode
Step 1: Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure that you have the following:
- Visual Studio Code installed on your system. If you don’t have it yet, you can download it here.
- GitHub Account. You’ll need a GitHub account to authenticate with Copilot and start using it.
Step 2: Install GitHub Copilot Extension
- Open Visual Studio Code
- Go to the Extensions Marketplace in VS Code by clicking the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window
- Find the extension named “GitHub Copilot” by GitHub and click on the Install button next to it.
Step 3: Authenticate with GitHub
- After the installation, you’ll be prompted to authenticate GitHub Copilot with your GitHub account.
- Click Allow to GitHub when prompted. This will open a new browser window.
- Log in to your GitHub account and grant permission for GitHub Copilot to access your account.
- After successful authentication, return to VS Code.
Step 4: Start Using GitHub Copilot
Once installed and authenticated, GitHub Copilot is ready to use. Open a new or existing project in VS Code and start coding! You should begin seeing code suggestions as you type.
Considerations and Limitations
While GitHub Copilot offers great functionality, it has limitations, such as occasional suboptimal suggestions, potential security and privacy risks from public code sources, and the risk of over-reliance. It’s important to use it as a tool to assist, not replace, human expertise and judgment in coding. Always review generated code to ensure its quality and compliance.
GitHub Copilot Pricing
GitHub Copilot offers a subscription-based pricing model, with options available for individual developers, students, teams, and enterprise organisations. Let’s break down the pricing details as they currently stand.
Individual Developers: Copilot is available for individual developers who are looking to enhance their coding efficiency. It costs around $10 per month or $100 per year (USD). GitHub offers a 30-day free trial for individuals, allowing you to experience the full functionality of Copilot before committing to a subscription.
GitHub Copilot for Students: GitHub understands the value of supporting new developers and has made Copilot available for free for students and verified members of GitHub’s Student Developer Pack but provided student must be enrolled in a degree or diploma-granting course of study or verification through GitHub’s Student Developer Pack (requires proof of student status).
Copilot for Teams: It is designed for collaborative environments, enabling organisations to boost the productivity of multiple developers working on the same project. It costs $19 per user per month (USD). For Teams, GitHub offers early access to the Copilot X suite, which brings conversational AI and voice-driven coding to the platform. These advanced features may come with a higher price tag as they move out of beta.
Copilot for Enterprises: For large organisations with specific security, compliance, and infrastructure needs, Copilot for Enterprise provides a tailored solution which costs around $39 per user per month (USD). Enterprise-level users can expect additional customisation, tools for governance, and advanced team management features.
Conclusion
GitHub Copilot is a groundbreaking tool that has the potential to transform the way developers write code. By leveraging the power of AI and machine learning, it offers real-time suggestions that help increase productivity, improve code quality, and make development more accessible for beginners.
While it’s not without its limitations, the tool’s strengths are undeniable, and it’s a must-try for anyone looking to improve their development workflow. Whether you’re a novice coder or a seasoned professional, GitHub Copilot can be a valuable partner in your programming journey, helping you write smarter and faster, without compromising quality.
As the tool continues to evolve, it’s exciting to think about how it will continue to shape the future of software development, making coding even more collaborative, efficient, and accessible than ever before.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GitHub Copilot better than ChatGPT?
GitHub Copilot is better suited for debugging and code assistance because of its direct integration with development environments and ability to offer context-aware code suggestions whereas on the other hand, ChatGPT can provide explanations and steer developers toward coding concepts, but it still lacks a direct link with development tools.
Is GitHub Copilot free?
GitHub Copilot Free is available to individual GitHub customers who don't have access to Copilot through an organisation or enterprise. This free tier provides limited access to select features of Copilot, allowing you to experience AI-powered coding assistance without a subscription.
What is GitHub Copilot used for?
It is an AI coding assistant that helps you write code faster and with less effort, allowing you to focus more energy on problem solving and collaboration.
Who is eligible to access GitHub Copilot for free?
GitHub Copilot Free is a new free pricing tier with limited functionality for individual developers. Users assigned a Copilot Business or Copilot Enterprise seat are not eligible for access.
What languages, IDEs, and platforms does GitHub Copilot support?
GitHub Copilot is trained on all languages that appear in public repositories. It is available as an extension in Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, Vim, Neovim, the JetBrains suite of IDEs, and Azure Data Studio.
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