Introduction

  • 3 minutes

GitHub Copilot is an intelligent coding assistant that enables developers to write code faster. It seamlessly integrates with popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), offering contextual code suggestions that align with your coding style and preferences.

In this module, we look at different ways developers can use GitHub Copilot. We show how it helps increase productivity, fits with developer preferences, and affects the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). This integration helps your team save time, improve code quality, and increase developer satisfaction.

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you're able to:

  • Identify specific ways GitHub Copilot integrates seamlessly into developer workflows, enhancing the overall development experience and supporting individual coding preferences.
  • Explore GitHub Copilot's potential impact on different stages of the Software Development Lifecycle.
  • Evaluate the limitations of AI-assisted coding and measure its impact on development efficiency.

Prerequisites

  • Basic understanding of software development concepts and practices.
  • Familiarity with at least one programming language.
  • A GitHub account and basic knowledge of GitHub functionalities.
  • Access to GitHub Copilot requires either a personal GitHub account or an account managed by an organization or enterprise. For learning purposes, the Copilot Free option with usage limits should be sufficient.

Tip

GitHub Copilot offers a free tier with 2,000 code autocompletes and 50 chat messages per month. To get started, open Visual Studio Code, click on the GitHub Copilot icon, and then click "Sign in to Use GitHub Copilot for Free". Log in to your GitHub account in the window that opens in the browser. Learn more. Educators, Students and, select open-source maintainers can receive Copilot Pro for free, learn how at: https://aka.ms/Copilot4Students.

In the following units, we look at how GitHub Copilot is changing the development landscape. It helps developers code faster, stay focused longer, and handle more complex challenges with confidence.