Rev Your Coding Process: 5 AI Tools Every Software Engineer Should Know
Tags: ai, software, computerscience, programming
Published: 2023-03-21 16:19:53

Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate and connect with others, transforming the world into a global village with the help of the internet. 

With this same technology, we can automate and accelerate many processes using AI tools, making it easier for software engineers and coders to achieve more in less time. 

In this blog post, we'll explore five AI tools that you should start using to accelerate your coding process. Before we dive into the tools, let's quickly answer this question:

## Do we need AI tools as software engineers?

The short answer is 'YES'.

With the rapid advancements in technology, the need for software development has increased exponentially. This has made it more challenging for developers to keep up with the pace and maintain the quality of their work. 

**AI tools can help bridge this gap by **

- Automating repetitive tasks,
- Increasing productivity, and
- Improving code quality.

Not that you agree with me that we really need AI tools as software engineers, let's talk about some of the:

## 5 AI Tools to Accelerate Your Coding Process

### 1. ChatGPT

[ChatGPT](https://chat.openai.com/chat), powered by OpenAI, is a leading AI tool that's shaking up the industry. Major companies are integrating this tool to improve their products and services, and smart software engineers are building awesome projects with it. 

However, many people don't use it to its full potential. 

Here's a simple rule to increase productivity with ChatGPT: "**_Give before you ask or take._**" In other words, share your progress by sharing your code before asking a question to get a more precise and accurate answer.

Don't just ask: **_"How do I do this"_** 

But say: _**"I am trying to do ABCD, and I've done ABC so far. Here is my code, could you please help fix/improve/refactor/optimize it?"**_


### 2. Ponicode

As a software engineer, you know that writing high-quality code is key to creating great applications. One way to ensure your code is of the highest quality is by writing unit tests to test your application. However, writing tests can be time-consuming and not every developer enjoys doing it.

Enter Ponicode, an AI tool that can help you review your code while you focus on what's really important - shipping your product to production safely. Ponicode can be easily installed as [an extension in VS Code](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ponicode.ponicode), or as a [package from NPM](https://www.npmjs.com/package/ponicode).

By using Ponicode, you can accelerate your coding process and save valuable time, without sacrificing the quality of your code. [Check out the GitHub repository](https://github.com/ponicode) today and start using Ponicode to take your coding to the next level.


### 3. Gitlens

As a software developer, you are likely to collaborate with multiple developers on a project, and it can be challenging to keep track of everyone's contributions to the codebase.

Fortunately, [Gitlens](https://gitlens.amod.io/) is a powerful AI tool that can help.


![AI tools - Gitlens](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/f0db3tnavr8axzq97um3.png)

Used by over 20 million developers and rated in the top 1% on VS Code, Gitlens excels at tracking contributors and code changes, giving you a complete picture of what's going on in the project's GitHub repository without leaving your IDE.

If you're looking to streamline your development process and make collaboration easier, Gitlens is the perfect solution. It's available as a [free extension on VS Code (here)](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=eamodio.gitlens), so why not give it a try today?

### 4. Blackbox

When we need a quick solution for a coding problem or an idea for handling logic, we often turn to Google and StackOverflow for help. While these resources are valuable, searching through them can be time-consuming.

Thankfully, [Blackbox](https://www.useblackbox.io/) is an AI tool that can significantly speed up your coding process. According to the creators, it can increase your speed by ten times. Here's how it works:

- You can ask questions and receive answers directly in your code editor.
- If you're watching a tutorial, Blackbox can help you copy code snippets from the video.
- The AI tool can even autocomplete your code while you're typing.

![AI tools - Blackbox](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3qaj25zbzxdtr47wcgb9.gif)

Other similar AI tools include [Github Copilot](https://github.com/features/copilot) and [Tabnine](https://www.tabnine.com/).

You can [download Blackbox](https://via.intercom.io/c?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace.visualstudio.com%2Fitems%3FitemName%3DBlackboxapp.blackbox&h=4de60b71aa1413c92608c28578c69e352b667718-dvcyc8ps_11:3951953&l=9336f5c0623b12db1cadd0edd36e0c0d6e8619c1-24128740) for free and start accelerating your coding process today.

### 5. Trevor AI

As software engineers, we often start building our familiarity with a new programming language or framework by creating a basic todo app. But what about a to-do app for managing our own time and productivity?

While there are many great apps out there, such as Google Tasks, they may not offer all the features you need. This is where Trevor AI comes in. Used by over 30 million people, Trevor AI is an AI tool that lets you plan your day, week, and even months ahead by simply dragging and dropping tasks.


![AI tools - Trevor AI](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pgkpkofmvl4n4utm3ppt.png)

One unique feature of Trevor AI is its ability to sync your tasks with your Google or Outlook calendar. You can also control how frequently you want to be reminded of your tasks.

With Trevor AI, you can take advantage of a range of features, including its powerful time-blocking functionality. Whether you're passionate about time management and productivity or just looking for a better way to organize your to-dos, Trevor AI is a must-try tool.

You can use Trevor AI for free on your mobile phone or PC. [Check it out here](https://trevorai.com/) and start taking control of your time today.

## Conclusion: Top 5 AI Tools for Software Engineers

In conclusion, these AI tools have the potential to revolutionize the way we work as software developers. From tracking code changes and contributors with Gitlens to writing code faster and more efficiently with Blackbox, these tools offer valuable features that can save us time and increase productivity. 

Additionally, Trevor AI provides a powerful solution for managing our time and increasing productivity with its unique task management and time-blocking capabilities. 

With the continued development of AI tools for software development, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions emerge in the near future, helping us to work smarter and more effectively than ever before.