Dellenny presents a list of the top ten ways new developers can use GitHub Copilot to boost productivity and accelerate the learning curve, sharing practical tips and insights.

Top 10 Things You Can Do with GitHub Copilot as a New Developer

GitHub Copilot can be a transformative tool for those starting their coding journey. Far beyond simple autocompletion, it’s like having a mentor right inside your code editor, offering real-time suggestions, educational insights, and productivity boosts.

1. Get Instant Code Suggestions

Copilot can autocomplete your code as you type—whether you’re working in Python, JavaScript, CSS, or other languages—providing smart, context-aware suggestions to save time and introduce you to industry coding patterns.

2. Learn by Example

By typing descriptive comments (e.g., “function to check if a number is prime”), Copilot generates working code, letting you observe how specific problems can be solved in different languages and styles.

3. Write Boilerplate Code Quickly

Copilot facilitates rapid project setup by generating commonly required code like server scaffolding, HTML templates, or API routes so you can focus on more meaningful tasks.

4. Explore New Programming Languages

If you’re new to Go, Rust, TypeScript, or other unfamiliar languages, Copilot offers syntax examples and starter code, breaking the barrier to learning new technologies.

5. Generate Unit Tests

Writing tests is vital but often repetitive. Copilot can suggest relevant unit tests for your functions, demonstrating how to validate and verify your work.

6. Get Help with Documentation

Copilot assists in drafting docstrings, inline comments, and sections of documentation—developing your ability to explain code, which is a key skill for collaboration and maintainability.

7. Experiment with Algorithms

When exploring various solutions to a problem, Copilot can provide multiple suggestions, allowing you to compare alternatives and learn best practices.

8. Speed Up Debugging

Although Copilot isn’t a dedicated debugger, it can help fix errors by generating improved code when you describe problems in comments (like “fix function to handle null values”).

9. Improve Your Coding Style

Copilot’s suggestions are based on a vast range of open-source code, encouraging the use of clean, modern, and idiomatic programming patterns.

10. Build Projects Faster

By helping you overcome technical roadblocks—from small scripts to full-stack apps—Copilot increases your development speed and allows you to build more, helping you focus on the logic and reasoning behind code, not just syntax.

Note: GitHub Copilot is best used as a guide—accelerating learning but not substituting genuine understanding. Treat it as a 24/7 pair-programming partner that helps you practice, explore, and gain confidence.

Author: Dellenny

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