Start Coding with AI: A Quick Guide for Beginners

Description:

AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Cursor.ai are transforming how people learn and write code, making programming more accessible and efficient -- even for those with minimal coding experience. In this course, you'll discover how AI can help break down coding problems, suggest solutions, and explain programming concepts in clear, simple terms.

Through guided demonstrations and hands-on exercises, you'll see how AI can assist with tasks such as debugging, code completion, and step-by-step instruction on foundational programming principles. Whether you're a curious learner exploring coding for the first time or a beginner-level programmer who wants to supercharge your development process, this course equips you with practical AI-powered techniques and best practices to write and understand code more effectively.

By the end of the course, you'll have a working understanding of how AI can expedite learning and problem-solving in software development — no advanced coding background is needed.

Duration: 1 Day

Course Code: BDT484

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the role of AI in simplifying coding tasks for beginners.
2. Use ChatGPT and Claude to explain coding concepts in straightforward, beginner-friendly language.
3. Leverage Cursor.ai for smart code completion, debugging, and automation — even with minimal coding knowledge.
4. Improve problem-solving skills by interacting with AI to break down technical challenges step by step.
5. Generate and refine code using AI, making programming more accessible to non-coders.
6. Explore AI best practices and ethical considerations in code generation and learning.

• No prior coding experience is required, although familiarity with basic computer usage is recommended.

• Gen AI enthusiasts, aspiring developers, and professionals curious about AI-assisted coding

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to AI-Assisted Coding

- Overview of AI in code editing

- Understanding the capabilities and limitations of coding assistants

- Walkthrough of ChatGPT Canvas, Claude, and Cursor.ai

2. Effective Prompt Engineering for Beginners

- Basics of prompting for coding tasks

- Structuring prompts for debugging, optimization, and explanation

- Hands-on exercises: Writing prompts for simple coding challenges

3. Using ChatGPT Canvas for Coding

- Writing and refining beginner-friendly code with ChatGPT

- Debugging and troubleshooting code in plain language

- Hands-on: Generating and improving simple code snippets with ChatGPT Canvas

4. Leveraging Claude for Coding

- Claude's capabilities in software development

- Using Claude for code completion and documentation

- Hands-on: AI-powered problem-solving with Claude for entry-level tasks

5. Exploring Cursor.ai for AI-Powered Development

- Cursor.ai as an intelligent coding assistant

- Automated refactoring and AI-driven suggestions for beginners

- Hands-on: Using Cursor.ai for live coding and debugging practice

5. Real-world applications and Best Practices

- Integrating AI coding assistants into personal and professional projects

- Ethical considerations and code quality assurance

- Hands-on: Building a mini-project using AI-powered coding tools

Training material provided: Yes (Digital format)