GitHub Copilot: The Best AI Assistant to Code Faster in VSCode

GitHub Copilot is a Visual Studio Code extension developed by GitHub and OpenAI. It uses artificial intelligence to help developers write code faster, smarter, and more efficiently. Copilot can suggest code snippets, complete functions, and even rewrite code based on comments or just a few initial lines of code.

link : https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GitHub.copilot

Key Features

1. AI-Based Code Autocompletion
   Copilot provides smart, real-time code suggestions—far beyond traditional autocomplete. It understands the context and programming language you're using.
2. Multi-language Support
   Supports multiple programming languages including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Ruby, PHP, C++, Java, and more.
3. Intelligent Code Suggestions
   Generates complex code based on comments. Example: write // calculate triangle area, and Copilot will suggest a complete function accordingly.
4. Contextual Understanding
   Copilot learns from other files in your project and suggests code that aligns with your project's style and structure.
5. Inline Suggestions
   Suggestions appear directly where you're typing. Just hit Tab to accept or Esc to skip.

 How to Use GitHub Copilot in VSCode

1. Install the GitHub Copilot extension from the VSCode Marketplace.
2. Sign in with your GitHub account. A subscription is required (free trial available).
3. Start writing code or descriptive comments.
4. Watch Copilot suggest code, press Tab to accept or Esc to ignore.
5. Use shortcut Ctrl+Enter (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Enter (Mac) to open Copilot Panel for more suggestions.

Pros

•  Significantly boosts productivity.
•  Helps you learn new coding patterns and logic.
•  Ideal for quick prototyping or generating boilerplate code.
•  Suggestions are easy to review and modify.

 Cons

•  Requires a paid subscription after the trial period.
•  Doesn't always grasp complex contexts.
•  Suggestions can sometimes be generic or suboptimal.
•  Not built for debugging or automated testing.

Pricing

GitHub Copilot offers a 30-day free trial, then:

• Personal use: $10/month or $100/year.
• Business (Copilot for Business): $19/user/month.

Who Is It For?

• Beginner programmers looking to learn faster.
• Professional developers aiming to save time.
• Engineering teams frequently writing boilerplate code.
• Active VSCode users wanting to boost coding workflow.

GitHub Copilot is a game-changer in developer productivity. It's not just smart autocomplete—it’s an AI assistant that understands your code. While not perfect, Copilot helps accelerate coding, sparks solution ideas, and reduces workload across many software projects.