Why Beginners Shouldn’t Rely on ChatGPT for Coding and How to Start Programming the Right Way

I once read an e-book that teaches how to make money with ChatGPT. One of the money-making strategies suggested in the e-book was intriguing yet misleading. The author claimed that anyone, even a programming novice, could make money with ChatGPT by simply prompting it to write code for any software they wanted to sell.

The premise was simple: just type in your idea, and boom—ChatGPT would spit out the entire code for your software. Then, you could prompt it further for directions on how to piece the code together and deploy it for business. Sounds magical, doesn’t it? But here’s the reality—this scenario is far from realistic.

Why This Strategy Is Unrealistic for Beginners

While ChatGPT is undoubtedly a powerful tool that can assist with code writing and programming guidance, it is not a silver bullet—especially for someone with no programming experience. Building, deploying, and maintaining software, particularly at a commercial level, involves much more than just generating code snippets. Let’s dive deeper into why this approach doesn’t work for beginners:

1. Planning and Architecture: Writing code is just one part of software development. Before you even begin coding, you need to plan the structure and architecture of your software. This involves deciding on the technologies to use, defining workflows, and mapping out how different components will interact. Without this foundational knowledge, creating scalable and functional software is next to impossible.
2. Debugging and Troubleshooting: ChatGPT can generate code, but it doesn’t guarantee perfection. The generated code may contain errors, lack optimization, or require modifications to suit specific requirements. Debugging these issues demands a solid understanding of programming concepts, the ability to analyze code, and problem-solving skills—none of which a novice typically possesses.
3. Integration and Deployment: Once the code is written, it’s only the beginning. Integrating the code into a complete application, ensuring it works as intended, and deploying it to a live environment are complex processes. These steps require knowledge of databases, server management, deployment pipelines, and security protocols—all areas that take time and experience to master.
4. Maintenance and Updates: After deployment, the work doesn’t stop. Applications need regular maintenance to fix bugs, add features, and adapt to user needs. This requires ongoing programming skills and a deep understanding of the software’s codebase.

ChatGPT: A Tool for Experienced Programmers

Let’s be clear: ChatGPT is an incredible tool for experienced programmers. It can:

• Generate Code Snippets: Quickly produce reusable code for specific tasks.
• Aid Debugging: Provide suggestions for resolving errors and optimizing code.
• Explain Concepts: Break down complex ideas or guide implementation of specific features.
• Boost Productivity: Automate repetitive tasks and speed up development workflows.

However, even seasoned developers approach ChatGPT with caution, double-checking its outputs and refining the generated code to ensure it meets their requirements. It’s a productivity enhancer, not a substitute for expertise.

Why Beginners Will Struggle

If a programming novice tries to rely on ChatGPT to create a commercial-grade application, they will inevitably run into significant challenges, such as:

• Misunderstanding or misinterpreting the generated code.
• Struggling to debug and handle unexpected errors or edge cases.
• Lacking the skills to make informed decisions about frameworks, tools, and technologies.
• Failing to ensure the application is secure, efficient, and scalable.

These roadblocks often lead to frustration, abandoned projects, or costly mistakes. In most cases, beginners end up seeking help from experienced programmers to salvage their efforts.

The Right Way to Begin Your Programming Journey

If you’re fascinated by the potential of using ChatGPT or similar AI tools for coding, the first step is to build a strong foundation in programming. Before you can effectively use these tools, you need to understand the basics of coding and software development.

The best way to start? Learn HTML and CSS.

HTML and CSS are the building blocks of modern web development. While they aren’t programming languages in the traditional sense, they provide a foundational understanding of how coding works. Once you’ve mastered them, you’ll have the confidence and skills to move on to more advanced programming languages like JavaScript, Python, or Java.

Why HTML and CSS?

• Simplicity: They are beginner-friendly and easy to grasp.
• Foundation for Web Development: Learning them is essential for creating websites.
• Confidence Booster: They help you build real, tangible projects, giving you a sense of accomplishment.
• Gateway to Other Languages: Understanding HTML and CSS makes learning other languages easier.

Ready to Start?

If you’re serious about starting your programming journey, I recommend checking out my course: “Quick Start to Responsive Web Design: HTML and CSS Basics.”

This course is designed to help you:

• Master the fundamentals of HTML and CSS.
• Build modern, responsive websites from scratch.
• Gain the confidence to explore more advanced programming languages.

Don’t let unrealistic expectations hold you back. Take the first step toward becoming a skilled programmer and unlock the true potential of tools like ChatGPT.