ChatGPT is Invaluable When You Know What You Want!
Tags: chatgpt, learning
Published: 2023-08-10 13:09:57

ChatGPT is an advanced language model that converses and produces human-like responses, powered by Natural Language Processing (NLP).

It can understand and reply to text in a range of settings and subject areas because to its NLP capabilities. When it comes to streamlining processes or doing troubleshooting, this can be really beneficial.

However, a clear knowledge of your objectives is necessary in order to fully utilize ChatGPT and benefit from it.

In this article, we will look at the advantages of ChatGPT when used with a clear purpose, allowing you to maximize its full potential and achieve your goals.

I had the chance to speak with a web developer who is just getting started, and during our conversation, we brought up ChatGPT. He claimed that ChatGPT had been beneficial to him. I replied that Chat GPT is truly helpful, and this the reason why it was created, but as he is just starting out, ChatGPT shouldn't be his primary source of assistance because doing so won't actually help him learn and advance.

I started a chat with ChatGPT to prove a point, that chatGPT has it's own limitations, especially if you’re asking about anything after September 2021 (where GPT-3 training data ends). 

I needed to learn more about Data Transfer Object, using [Laravel-data package](https://spatie.be/docs/laravel-data/v3/introduction) from Spatie Open Source.

Below, I will show you how I did this with ChatGPT and the lessons I learned:

I started by saying what I wanted to know.
![Starting the conversation](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/mqg488syuy3m7cum3ntt.png)

However, the documentation states that we should install the package in this manner;

![Spatie Laravel Data](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/j0kqkh3j3ay0a669sc1j.png)
After several attempts, I figured out that I needed to be more specific to ChatGPT;

![My response](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ab3q61vdjcf92krd01oa.png)

The problem here is that ChatGPT is using a deprecated version of the package, which will mean that you run into some errors when you follow exactly what you have in this response because the namespace is different from what is in the documentation.

![Deprecated version](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gsppovmd7r5d1mxcrjei.png)

I knew what I was looking for;

![Angry me :lol](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/di3p8vt6pa22u6ad1vqx.png)

After some back and forth, I got the response I was looking for.

![Right answer](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/20d4j4ouuc0w1a1pmmxq.png)

---


#### My final thoughts

When you know what you want and approach it with a clear objective, ChatGPT can be a really useful tool. You can maximize ChatGPT's possibilities by outlining your objectives, giving precise instructions, using an iterative refining process, and analyzing the results critically. 

Most importantly, if you really want to learn as a developer, read documentation, and use forums to be able to pull from a range of opinions, this will inform better decision-making.

##### Here are a few things you can do:
- Define your objectives: Knowing what you want can help you explain your needs to ChatGPT clearly and get helpful responses in return. 
- Provide clear instructions: By providing clear instructions, you can guide ChatGPT to produce more precise, customized, and responsive results that meet your needs.
- Leverage ChatGPT for Code Review: After writing your code, you may have ChatGPT read a section of it and highlight any flaws or potential refactoring.
- Grow the Conversation: The quality of the information produced by ChatGPT can be improved through iterative dialogue.

As you use ChatGPT to _**support**_ and improve your decision-making process, be conscious of its limitations, and use ChatGPT as a tool. When your goals are well defined, ChatGPT can be a helpful ally in your quest for knowledge and information.

By the way 🥳, this is my first article ever, and I hope you found it interesting and useful 🥳.