ChatGPT is a great tool to analyze code that I don't understand. I'm working on a backend .Net Core WebAPI that intergrates with a Vue component that is written with Quasar UI. I wanted to know why the costModifier variable of the Question object wasn't being set by the UI before the object payload was passed to the API I'm working on. Instead of Googleing how to set up and run a Vue/Quasar debugger - because I don't know anything about those two frameworks - I decided to shortcut the process and use ChatGPT. I copied the whole Vue file and posted it to ChatGPT with the simple prompt: "Do you understand Vue?”
ChatGPT analyzed the file then provided me with the summary, core features and an exmplanation of the main data structure from the file. In a minute I fully understood what this component was doing and capable of.
My next prompt was: "Is there a way to update costModifier for the question object?". ChatGPT responded by saying Yes — you can update the costModifier for a question object via the questionForm.costModifier field inside the Question modal. Here's how it works:" along with a javascript and Quasar code blocks showing exaclty how this is done in the component. In it's response was one special line that caught my attention. It was "Inside the modal, if questionForm.questionType === 'bool', the Cost Modifier field is shown". This caught my attention because the bug I'm working with had a qustionType of 'select', not 'bool'.
Right here I can see why my variable was not being set and could return to the front end folks with some information. I wanted to double check so I asked ChatGPT: "If the question type is something other than bool, will the costModifier variable be set?". The response was the same "No — the costModifier input field is only displayed if the question type is 'bool'.". Along with the correct answer, ChatGPT showed me exaclty where in the code this was being set and how I could update the code to allow for 'select' to allow for the variable to be modified.
Double-check the logic.
From there I was able to articulate to the team that handles this code as to the issue and provide a path to the solution.
Without AI assistance, this bug could have taken a while to troubleshoot. Not that I don’t want to learn Vue or Quasar, but I would rather have this fixed sooner than later for the client’s sake. This is just one of the many benefits I see from ChatGPT as a developer and consultant. You can use its computing ability to summarize a code base so you can quickly get up to speed. Saves me time and my clients money.