Matering AI Prompts for better Codiing Results

In order to get relevant, precise, and high-quality results in coding from Artificial intelligence (AI), writing a good prompt is very important. A prompt is a set of instructions we give to large language models (LLMs) or other machine-learning tools.

How to Write a Good Prompt to Get Better Coding Results

1. Define Objective

• The prompt must be precise and clearly describe the goals of coding. It is for sorting data, classifying information, data analysis, or for the goal of producing graphical output.
• In the prompt you can mention details such as handling any particular programming paradigm, data structure, or libraries.
• Example: Write a Python function to sort a list of numbers in a specified order using the quicksort algorithm.

2. Programming Language and Frameworks

• Specify the programming language or framework.
• If you want AI to use specific functions or syntax in certain versions clearly state this as well.
• Example: Using Python 3.8 and the Pandas library, create a function that reads a CSV file and returns the unique values in a specified column.

3. Input and Output Requirements

• Describe the input data and what type of input the code should expect (e.g., list of integers, text strings, JSON files).
• Specify the output (e.g., sorted list, JSON object, and printed statement).
• Example: Write a JavaScript function. It takes a list of numbers as an input. Returns an object with the maximum, minimum, and average values of the array.

4. Constraints and Edge Cases

• If the code is to have any restrictions or limitations, these should be included in the code prompt.
• Draw out any potential edge cases, for example, empty inputs excessive values, or any other unusual data kinds.
• Example: Write a Python function that divides two numbers. Return ‘undefined’ if the divisor is zero. Handle cases where inputs are not numbers.

5. Provide an Expected Output

• For clarity include the example of input and output.
• Example: Write a Python function that converts Fahrenheit to Celsius. Input: 32. Expected output: 0.

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6. Comments or Explanations

• Ask for an explanation in the code if it is to explain, understand logic, or teach a concept.
• Ask for explanations of decisions if they are vital to understanding the code structure or efficiency.
• Example: Provide a Python function to calculate the Fibonacci sequence up to n terms. Include comments explaining each step.

7. Be Concise, Yet Comprehensive

1. The prompt should be clear and straight to the point.
2. Be precise while instructing AI. It helps to avoid any misinterpretation by the AI. Do not use terms that may be understood in multiple ways without any context.
3. Example: Instead of instructing like “Write a function that does math operations,” be specific and instruct like, write a function that can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on two and three numbers.

Writing Prompts for New Code

Prompt 1: Write a function in Python that takes a list of numbers. It should be able to remove the numbers that are divisible by any specific number. Then provide output sorted in descending order. Input: A list of numbers and Divisor, Expected Output: Sorted Numbers.

Write a JavaScript function that takes a list of objects. It filters out objects where a key has a null or undefined value. Then sort the filtered objects in chronological order. Input: List of objects, key to filter, date key to sort by. Output: Filtered and Sorted list

Writing Prompt for Debugging and Review

Prompt 1: Review the following Python function. This function was designed to merge two dictionaries. The function should update values from dict3 and dict2 to dict1 and return the updated dictionary. Identify any issues in the merging process, and suggest improvements.

Input: Three dictionaries. Expected Output: Merged and updated dictionary with updated values from dict2 and dict3.

Explore more detailed examples and tips on AI prompts at freeCodeCamp to deepen your understanding and further improve your skills.at freeCodeCamp to deepen your understanding and further improve your skills.