[synthc]

This year I switched to a new job, using programming languages that I was less familiar with.

Asking a LLM to translate between languages works really well most of the time. It's also a great way to learn which libraries are the standard solution for a language. It really accelerated my learning process.

Sure, there is the occasional too literal translation or hallucination, but I found this useful enough.

[brianstrimp]

Have you noticed any difference in picking up the language(s) yourself? As in, do you think you'd be more fluent in it by now without all the help? Or perhaps less? Genuine question.

[mewpmewp2]

I do tons of TypeScript in my side projects and in real life, and I usually feel heavy frustrations when I stray away.

When I stray out of this (e.g. I started doing a lot of IoT, ML and Robotics projects, where I can't always use TypeScript). I think one key thing that LLMs have helped me is that I can ask why something is X without having to worry about sounding stupid or annoying.

So I think it has enabled me at least a way to get out of the TypeScript zone more worry free without losing productivity. And I do think I learn a lot, although I'm relating a lot of it on my JS/TS heavy experience.

To me the ability to ask stupid questions without fear of judgment or accidentally offending someone - it's just amazing.

I used to overthink a lot before LLMs, but they have helped me with that aspect, I think a lot.

I sometimes think that no one except LLMs would have the patience for me if I didn't filter my thoughts always.

[n144q]

Well said. CharGPT is almost the opposite of stackoverflow -- you can ask a stupid question, and ask why a language is designed in such a way, and get nice, patient, nuanced answer without judgment or starting a war.

[brianstrimp]

And how much can you trust those replies?

[n144q]

At least 80% of the time.

I have brains and can verify if it's correct or not.

[synthc]

about as much as I trust StackOverflow answers

[synthc]

For me it just speeds up learning the language, so I think i'd become fluent faster.

I do thoroughly review of the the LLM answers, and hardly every directly copy paste answer, so I feel this way I still learn the language.