AWS CodeWhisperer is a machine learning-powered tool provided by AWS, that suggests code in real-time as you write. It acts like a coding assistant, understanding your intent based on the context of your existing code and comments. It can generate suggestions ranging from single lines to complete functions, helping you write code faster and more efficiently.
How does AWS CodeWhisperer work?
CodeWhisperer leverages a massive dataset of code to learn common patterns and best practices. As you write code, CodeWhisperer analyzes the English language comments and surrounding code to infer what code is needed to complete the task at hand. CodeWhisperer suggests one or more code snippets directly in the code editor, accelerating your work as you code.
CodeWhisperer code suggestions are based on large language models (LLMs) trained on billions of lines of code, including Amazon and open-source code. You can quickly and more easily accept the top suggestion (tab key), view more suggestions (arrow keys), or continue writing your own code. Always review a code suggestion before accepting it, and you might need to edit it to ensure that it does exactly what you intended.
Benefits of using AWS CodeWhisperer
- Increased productivity: Studies have shown that CodeWhisperer can boost developer productivity by up to 57%. This is because it saves you time from writing boilerplate code, searching for documentation, and debugging syntax errors.
- Improved code quality: CodeWhisperer can suggest best practices and patterns, leading to more robust and maintainable code. It can also help you avoid common coding mistakes.
- Faster learning: For new developers or those working with unfamiliar languages, CodeWhisperer can be a valuable learning tool. By seeing how experienced developers solve problems, you can learn best practices and improve your coding skills.
- Reduced cognitive load: Writing code can be mentally taxing. CodeWhisperer can help alleviate some of this burden by taking care of the repetitive tasks and letting you focus on the bigger picture.
Limitations of AWS CodeWhisperer
- Not a magic bullet: CodeWhisperer is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise. It’s important to review and understand the code it suggests before accepting it.
- Limited scope: While CodeWhisperer supports many programming languages, it’s not yet perfect for all of them. Additionally, it may not be as effective for specialized tasks or highly complex code.
- Ethical considerations: There are concerns about the potential for bias in AI-generated code. It’s important to be aware of these limitations and use CodeWhisperer responsibly.
Cost of using AWS CodeWhisperer
CodeWhisperer offers both free and paid tiers. The Individual tier is free to use for individual developers. Organizations can pay a per-user, per-month subscription fee for the Professional tier, which offers additional features like security scans and team collaboration.
Getting started with AWS CodeWhisperer
There are two main ways to get started with AWS CodeWhisperer:
- IDE integration: CodeWhisperer integrates with several popular IDEs, such as JetBrains IDEs, Visual Studio Code, and PyCharm. Once installed, you can access CodeWhisperer suggestions directly within your IDE.
- AWS Cloud9: CodeWhisperer is built into AWS Cloud9, a cloud-based IDE. This is a good option if you don’t want to install anything on your local machine.
Is CodeWhisperer right for you?
If you’re a developer who wants to write code faster and more efficiently, CodeWhisperer is worth checking out. It’s particularly helpful for those who are new to coding, working with unfamiliar languages, or dealing with repetitive tasks. However, it’s important to remember that CodeWhisperer is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise. Use it wisely and critically evaluate its suggestions before incorporating them into your code.
