JavaScript + AI: a Perfect Duo for Low-code Automations
Tags: javascript, ai, lowcode, automation
Published: 2023-09-26 15:57:00

Hello DEV community! It’s Oleg Zankov from Latenode – a cloud-based low-code platform where you can easily create adaptable business process automations and build apps without the hassle of managing any infrastructure. **Whether you're into frontend, backend, or just starting to learn JavaScript, this article introduces a free tool** designed to save you tons of time and effort.

![Latenode Platform Interface](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/sshordfwx3hrp4mfkz62.png)
There's a new addition within the JavaScript module that’s extremely useful for development. It's an AI assistant, that designed to help with a wide variety of coding tasks, such as:

-  **Code writing**
-  **Debugging**
-  **Code explanation**
-  **Modifications on request**

The best part? **All of Latenode's functionality is completely free until the beginning of the new year** (because we’re in Beta now). And before we dive further, check out some early user feedback about our AI assistant:

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/68rhhedl5jeikii1xr1h.png)

## How to Use Latenode AI Assistant?
The assistant resides within the JavaScript node. You interact through the 'AI Chat' window. Its capabilities include:

- **Viewing your workflow and node structure**.
- **Analyzing existing code** within the JavaScript node from where the assistant was summoned.
- **Accessing data structure** on the left side of the JS node.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/s02x1rnsez67ewgua4na.png)

## Use-Cases
The beauty of the AI assistant on Latenode is that it represents a huge step towards the realization of our mission: **now, even those unfamiliar with coding can create their own microservices or build intricate automations**. Let’s demonstrate this with three scenarios.

## Scenario #1: HTML Tasks
Consider a scenario where you need a data collection form accessible via a webhook URL. This could be handy in numerous situations. Initially, you fill out the form. Then, the data can be routed anywhere: either to another automation branch on Latenode for further transformations or into another system. **What about making this scenario without typing a single line of code?**

![Form for Email Composition Targeting User Database](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/udl9iph14342d515agyn.png)

**Step 1. Send a request to the AI assistant:**
Hi! Append my code with a script to generate HTML for a form titled 'create email'. It should have these input fields: 'email subject', 'overview', 'header', 'platform updates', 'useful resources', 'other news'. Place a 'submit' button at the bottom. Beautify the HTML with a pleasing design and proper formatting. Return the result as a JSON object labeled “html”

**Step 2. Replace your current code with the received result.**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1ci7nxhgwcas6wwx77b1.png)
**Step 3: Initiate your new scenario once.**	
The JavaScript module will return the "html" JSON object suitable for webhook responses Besides this, switch the content type parameter to text/html to display the form correctly through our input webhook.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1sd6cbpbbj3m150hhq2m.png)

Now, upon accessing your webhook URL as shown before, a data collection form will greet you.

**Step 4. Data Submission.**

All that remains is to ensure the data collected via the form gets relayed to another scenario's webhook for further processing. **Of course, we won’t be coding this manually.**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/dshht992kp98vtm4nb24.gif)

Now, our form becomes fully functional, ready to receive input. You can channel these captured values to another workflow that, for example, logs the collected data into a Google Sheet

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/cz5xv27tkk3kbhgrzp7o.png)

## Scenario #2: Access to NPM Packages

There are now over 1.2 million NPM packages (pre-built apps for devs to integrate into their code). Latenode's AI assistant offers you access to these. Suppose you require the current USD/EUR exchange rate for multi-currency trading to provide updated info for your website visitors. **Instead of struggling with locating the right API and sifting through documentation, phrase your request like this:**


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9o8zv5sb4smxvn7mt0hb.gif)

> _To solve this, the assistant utilizes the NPM library 'axios' to send a GET HTTP request to the ExchangeRate-API, fetching the latest exchange rates. It then retrieves the exchange value of 1 USD to 1 Euro and returns it in JSON format._

Achieving the right result might take a couple of tries: occasional errors or empty return values can occur. The key is to remember that debugging isn't your chore. **Ask the AI to integrate console.log for a detailed server response. Then, Report any issue back to the AI chat, and you'll have the revised code in no time.**

## Scenario #3: Data Transformation
**Struggling with data transformation tasks?** Say goodbye to those hassles, especially ones like date formatting. We all know how one system may spit out a date in "YYYY-MM-DD" format, but another might require it in “DD MMMM YYYY”.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/berbghybblliz3a88b09.png)


Using the transformation, a webhook date of '2023-07-11' would look like this:
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1q0oyzw7si44wp5wxjin.png)



Likewise, the **AI can assist in manipulating strings, aggregating data, filtering, sorting, transforming, merging, splitting, de-duping, conducting statistical analysis, and even textual analysis.**

## Alternative Mode of Use
In our discussion so far, we approached the assistant via a dialog box. But there's another approach, especially useful for a focused code segment debug or when you need an explanation about code functionality:

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6j7zja2lafwno1mqwgfj.gif)

## The Low-Code Enthusiasts Community

Our community is bustling with activity. As the wave of low-code solutions gathers pace, professionals are joining our chat. We value feedback immensely, and our team is ever-ready to answer your curiosities!

> _**Join us at [latenode.com](App.latenode.com) and become a part of our [Discord community](http://go.latenode.com/space)!**_

_Just a reminder: You have the unique chance to experience the power of our AI assistant and the full functionality of our platform absolutely free until the end of this year_