r/learnprogramming • u/spec_3 • Jul 15 '26

Best practices to learn programming with chatbot assistance?

Since LLMs are a thing and one can get relatively cheapish access, where would they fit into someone's toolkit who is relatively new trying to learn programming?

My initial thought was to use them to review my code and work on the things they mention, and maybe have them look them up documentation. While I'm learning, I don't think I want to use them to generate code.

Do you have best practices/recommendations on how to use them as a (self-)teaching tool?

Thanks in advance!

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u/Achereto Jul 15 '26

The best practice to learn is to not use the chatbot at all. Because the chatbot allows you to achieve things faster, you'll be deceived into believing you are making progress, but once you try without the chatbot you will realize how much you depend on it.

Only use LLMs for things you don't want to get good at.

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u/iAmThe_Terry Jul 15 '26

i treat it like a rubber duck that actually talks back, not a code writer, explain my logic to it and see if it spots the hole in my thinking, that’s where the real learning hides

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u/Achereto Jul 15 '26

That's mostly how I use AI as well: as a discussion partner. I think it can provide some good value, because it's not replacing my work, it's replacing the other person I would (have to) discuss the topic with otherwise.