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GitHub 101 - Copilot Intro

The document provides an overview of GitHub Copilot, including what it is, who it is for, how it works, and how to get started using it. It also discusses techniques for crafting effective prompts to maximize Copilot efficiency.

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kbdsoft
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99 views40 pages

GitHub 101 - Copilot Intro

The document provides an overview of GitHub Copilot, including what it is, who it is for, how it works, and how to get started using it. It also discusses techniques for crafting effective prompts to maximize Copilot efficiency.

Uploaded by

kbdsoft
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GitHub – 1 1

GitHub Copilot Introduction


Agenda

Copilot Overview Tips & Tricks


A Peek into AI-Powered Coding Maximizing Copilot Efficiency

Getting Started Frequently Asked Questions


Your First Steps with Copilot Clarifying Common Curiosities

Prompt Engineering
Crafting Effective Commands
Copilot Overview
A Peek into AI-Powered Coding

3
What is Copilot?

“A new AI-powered code completion


tool that helps developers write code
faster.”
GitHub
Who is Copilot for?

Senior Engineers Junior Engineers


Accelerate boilerplate code Expedite learning, facilitate
generation leverage design as a pair programmer, and
patterns and simplify complex mentor.
problem-solving.
Offers code suggestions,
contextualized to your project

Convert comments to code

Autofill for repetitive code

Show alternatives
Copilot Overview

Copilot Copilot Chat


Copilot Chat
Context-aware ChatGPT-styled conversations with Copilot

Slash commands

/explain Explains how the selected code works

/fix Proposes a fix for the problems in the selected code

/help General help about GitHub Copilot

/tests Generate unit tests for the selected code

/vscode Ask questions about VS Code

/clear Clear the session


Limitations

“I’m powered by AI, so surprises and


mistakes are possible. Make sure to
verify any generated code or
suggestions, and share feedback so that
we can learn and improve.”
Copilot
Copilot “Wisdom”

Every Copilot needs a


Captain !

“If you don’t know where you


are going you’ll end up
someplace else.”
Yogi Berra
Copilot Impact

96% say they are faster


with repetitive tasks
Increase developer productivity
And satisfaction by focusing on real problems

88% say they are more


productive
Accelerate innovation
Prototype & innovate more rapidly

74% focus on more


satisfying work
Bridge skill gaps
Learn new languages and techniques
Getting Started
Your First Steps with Copilot

12
What is Required ?

GitHub account Copilot license Supported IDE


Copilot in Your IDE
IDE Extensions
Once Enabled…

Context
Suggestions
GitHub Copilot

Demo ● Copilot

● Inline help

● Open the Completions Panel

● Fix using Copilot


Copilot & Copilot Chat ● Explain using Copilot
Interaction
● Copilot Chat

○ Say Hello

○ Check its limits

○ Test its knowledge

○ Topics ‘/’
Prompt Engineering
Crafting Effective Commands
What is a Prompt?

In the context of Copilot, a prompt is a piece of


code or natural language description that is used
to generate code suggestions. It is the input that
Copilot uses to generate its output.

- Copilot
What is Prompt Engineering?

Prompt engineering is the process of designing


and creating high-quality prompts that can be
used to generate accurate and useful code
suggestions with Copilot.

- Copilot
Why is Prompt Engineering Important?

● Maximizes utility of Copilot

● Minimizes repeated iterations

● Determines code suggestion quality

● Skill prompts guide Copilot to


understand context & nuances

● Refined interactions reduces


misunderstandings
Techniques

Zero-Shot Prompting One-Shot Prompting Few-Shot Prompting


No Example One Example Handful of Examples
Techniques

Zero-Shot
Programming
with Copilot
Techniques

One-shot
Programming
with Copilot
Cornerstones of Prompting
Control Output Verbosity

Chaining Prompts Provide Examples

Evaluate Quality Give Direction

Format your Response


Tips & Tricks
Maximizing Copilot Efficiency
Enable non-programming Meta Files
In settings.json, add

“github.copilot.enable”:
{
“*”: true,
“yaml”: true,
“plaintext”: false,
“markdown”: true
}
Unit Testing Generation - Copilot Chat

Works best for


general unit
testing case
generation
Refactoring codes

Refactoring is
possible through
GitHub Copilot
Chat
Working in a project level

Ask in GitHub
Copilot Chat to
get started

GitHub Copilot Chat (default)


Working in a project level

Type / command
in GitHub Copilot
Chat to start with
a new project
Neighboring Tabs
Role Prompting

Use copilot to assume a role during a task

Focus to improves results


Improves results by narrowing the AI’s focus

Enhanced Results
When to use Copilot vs Copilot Chat

Copilot Copilot Chat

Direct Code Writing In-Depth Assistance

Seamless IDE Integration Learning & Teaching

Solo Development Collaborative Scenarios


The Token Limit
Strategies to overcome the Token
Limit

● Break Down Tasks


● Be Concise
● Iterative Development
● Post-Processing
● Stay Updated
● Feedback Loop
Asking for more Context

Giving Details
There can never be too much

Clarifying Requirements
Let Copilot know what you want!

Answering Questions
Ensure a clear understanding
Let’s think step by step

Breaking Down Tasks


Itemizes each step for you

Ensuring Clarity
Takes time to spell everything out

Avoiding Overwhelm
Organized approach
Let’s think step by step

Breaking Down Tasks

Ensuring Clarity

Avoiding Overwhelm
AI Hallucinations

● Nature of the Model

● Fabricated Outputs

● Highly Creative but not always right

● Reliance on Developers

● Feedback Loop
The
Copilot
effect.
The world’s most widely
adopted AI developer tool.
Maximize developer happiness

Increase developer productivity

Accelerate software development


GitHub – 1 1
GitHub Copilot Introduction

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