The use of AI is rapidly increasing every day. From Chatgpt to Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, almost every institution now has its own AI, which is why Github is not left out. Remember, Github was acquired by Microsoft 6 years ago. Before then, GitHub has always been a code repository. After the acquisition, we have seen so many changes in the app, prompting the introduction of the GitHub copilot.

The launch of GitHub Copilot marks a significant milestone in the integration of artificial intelligence into  development process. It underscores a shift toward smarter, more efficient coding practices, allowing developers to focus on building robust and innovative solutions.

In this article, we’ll analyze the key features of GitHub Copilot, its pricing, supported platforms, and its possibility to transform the future of software development. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just beginning, GitHub Copilot has something worthwhile to offer.

Setting Up GitHub Copilot

Firstly get a pre-account at github.com make sure you’ve got that before you sign up then from there as well you want to make sure you have Visual Studio code which is a local program that you can install on your laptop finally you’re going to install GitHub copilot which is available completely for free.

Exploring GitHub Copilot Features and Availability

GitHub Copilot is available on popular IDEs such as:
• Visual Studio Code
• Visual Studio 2022
• JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, etc.)

Github Copilot is an AI code editor for everyone, now the power of this is that you can build tools you can build websites you can build new projects and you can also just use AI to help you code. Now I can’t code at all but I’ve created many different websites tools and apps using processes like this and one of the biggest benefits of course with GitHub is that has a lot of repositories that you can actually just import into GitHub co-pilot and then from there you can start using that to code or create your own sort of Tools around it.

One of the best things about this is that you can actually code with Claw 3.5 Sonic which just makes everything easier and it’s usually and it’s probably my favorite tool for coding.

Pricing of GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot offers flexible pricing options to cater to a wide range of users, from students and hobbyists to professional developers and teams. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing structure:

1. Free for Verified Students and Open Source Contributors: GitHub provides free access to Copilot for verified students and qualified open-source contributors, this initiative supports learning and collaboration within the developer community.
2. Individual Plan: GitHub Copilot is available at $10 per month or $100 per year. This plan is ideal for freelance developers or hobbyists looking to enhance productivity.
3. Business Plan: Teams and companies can opt for the business plan, which costs $19 per user per month the plan includes additional features like centralized billing and team management tools, making it suitable for collaborative projects.

8 Tips for Using GitHub Copilot

Start with Clear Instructions: When you start writing codes, write clear comments or docstrings explaining what you intend to do. This helps GitHub Copilot understand the context and generate more relevant code suggestions for you. For example, if you’re writing a function to calculate the area of a circle, you might start with:

Language: Python

# Function to calculate the area of a circle

Comment Your Code: Use comments throughout your code to provide additional context. This guides Copilot to offer better suggestions aligned with your goals. For instance:

Language: Python

# This function converts temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit

def celsius_to_fahrenheit(celsius):

    # Formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit

    return (celsius * 9/5) + 32

Review Suggestions: Always take the time to review and understand the code suggestions provided by Copilot. It’s important to ensure that the generated code aligns with your intentions and follows best practices. Even though Copilot is powerful, it might not always get complex logic right, so careful review is crucial.

Cycle Through Suggestions: If the first suggestion from Copilot isn’t quite what you need, use the keyboard shortcuts to cycle through alternative suggestions. This helps you find the best fit for your specific needs. For example, in VS Code, you can use Ctrl + ] and `Ctrl +

Conclusion

GitHub Copilot is more than just an AI tool; it’s a glance into the future of software development. It further help developers to write codes, better, faster, and more efficiently. With features that manage everything from code recommendations to debugging and learning new languages, Copilot serves as an integral assistant for developers at all skill status.

The tool’s pricing structure as mentioned earlier makes it affordable to a broad audience, from students and open-source contributors to professional developers and organizations. While it’s not without its cons such as concerns about code quality or potential over-reliance on AI—the pros far outweigh the limitations.

As technology evolves, tools like GitHub Copilot will continue to grow in functionality and accessibility, reshaping how we approach coding. Whether you’re building your next big project or learning to code, GitHub Copilot provides the support and efficiency you need to excel.

Now is the perfect time to explore GitHub Copilot and experience its capabilities firsthand. With its blend of innovation and practicality, it’s set to become a staple in the modern developer’s toolkit.