12 Best AI Code Writers 2024 → Perfecting Developer Productivity

Dianna
By Dianna

Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts! Are you ready to get into the awestruck world of AI code writers – the digital wizards that are revolutionizing the way we approach coding?

Imagine having a virtual assistant who not only understands your coding needs but also crafts elegant solutions with lightning speed. These AI marvels are like having a team of expert programmers at your fingertips, ready to tackle any coding challenge that comes your way.

Undoubtedly, these AI code writers are game-changers. They can streamline your workflow, boost productivity, and even teach you a thing or two along the way. These AI Code writers are not only reshaping how code is written but also opening up new possibilities for innovation in software development.

So, buckle up and get ready to explore the best AI code writers who are taking the tech world by storm!

What are AI Code Writers?

AI code writers, also known as AI code generation tools, are software applications that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to assist with or automate the process of writing computer code.

These AI Code Writers are designed to enhance the productivity and efficiency of software development by providing coding assistance, generating code snippets, or even writing entire sections of code based on the input provided by the user.

12 Best AI Code Writers In 2024

AI Code WritersFeatures
OpenAI CodexCodex has a memory of 14KB for Python code, allowing it to take into account over 3x as much contextual information compared to GPT-3
GitHub CopilotIntroduces slash commands in Visual Studio Copilot Chat for directing specific tasks
ChatGPT (GPT-3/4)ChatGPT can quickly scan through thousands of lines of code for error identification based on a code or error message
AlphaCode by DeepMindUnlike some AI models, AlphaCode does not have explicit built-in knowledge about the structure of computer code; it learns purely from data
Code Llama by MetaCode Llama is released under the same community license as Llama 2, promoting open access for both research and commercial purposes
Amazon CodeWhispererCompatible with popular IDEs like JetBrains IDEs, Visual Studio Code, AWS Cloud9, JupyterLab, and Amazon SageMaker Studio
ReplitProvides pre-configured Repls as boilerplates for new projects, speeding up the setup process
Sourcegraph CodyCody uses Sourcegraph's code search and code graph (SCIP) to retrieve contextual code snippets and documentation relevant to user queries
AskCodiAutomatically generates unit tests for your methods, using popular testing frameworks like Jest or Jasmine, enhancing code reliability
CodigaCodiga analyzes pull/merge requests in seconds, providing developers with immediate feedback on their code
CodeWPProvides a chatbot trained specifically for WordPress, enabling users to learn and research as if speaking to a WordPress expert
SourcerySourcery reviews changes to your code, providing human-like reviews in seconds, ensuring code quality without delaying the development process

1. OpenAI Codex

OpenAI Codex

OpenAI Codex is a cutting-edge AI model that has revolutionized the way we think about coding and software development. Originating from the same innovative minds that brought us GPT-3, Codex is a descendant of this powerful language model, fine-tuned to understand and generate code across a multitude of programming languages. Launched by OpenAI, Codex has the unique ability to interpret simple commands in natural language and execute them, effectively building a bridge between human intent and software applications.

With its proficiency in over a dozen languages, including Python, JavaScript, Go, Perl, PHP, Ruby, Swift, TypeScript, and even Shell, Codex is not just a tool but a versatile ally for developers. It's the engine behind GitHub Copilot, providing real-time coding assistance that can turn comments into code, suggest entire functions, and even translate between languages.

Key Features of OpenAI Codex

  • Codex has a memory of 14KB for Python code, allowing it to take into account over 3x as much contextual information compared to GPT-3.
  • It can be applied to essentially any programming task, including transpilation, explaining code, and refactoring code.
  • OpenAI has made Codex available in private beta via an API, inviting businesses and developers to build on top of it.
  • Codex's capabilities extend beyond programming to tasks such as writing coherent text, answering questions, and conducting data analysis.
  • By automating repetitive or tedious tasks, Codex helps reduce the risk of errors due to human fatigue or oversight.

2. GitHub Copilot     

GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is a revolutionary AI-powered coding assistant that has taken the software development world by storm. Developed by GitHub in collaboration with OpenAI, Copilot is designed to work alongside developers, much like a trusted co-pilot, offering suggestions and writing code in real-time. This tool utilizes the power of OpenAI's Codex to interpret natural language prompts and generate code snippets, functions, and even entire algorithms, streamlining the coding process and boosting productivity.

With its ability to understand context and provide relevant code completions, GitHub Copilot has become an indispensable tool for many developers. It supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, making it a versatile companion for coding tasks both big and small. Whether you're a seasoned developer looking to speed up your workflow or a beginner seeking guidance, GitHub Copilot offers a helping hand, transforming the way code is written and shared.

Key Features of GitHub Copilot  

  • Analyze the context within the file you're editing and related files to provide relevant suggestions.
  • Offers autocomplete-style suggestions, including entire lines or blocks of code.
  • Collects and uses pseudonymous identifiers and general usage data to improve the service.
  • Detects and suppresses suggestions that contain code-matching public repositories.
  • Seamlessly integrates with popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code, JetBrains suite, and Neovim.
  • Introduces slash commands in Visual Studio Copilot Chat for directing specific tasks.

3. ChatGPT (GPT-3/4)

ChatGPT (GPT-3,4)

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a state-of-the-art AI chatbot that has captured the imagination of millions worldwide. As the latest iteration in the series of Generative Pre-trained Transformers, ChatGPT stands on the shoulders of its predecessors, GPT-3 and GPT-4, to deliver an interactive experience that blurs the lines between human and machine communication. This AI marvel has been trained on a diverse range of internet text, enabling it to engage in conversations, answer questions, and even write code with a level of sophistication that is often indistinguishable from a human.

Since its introduction, ChatGPT has seen rapid adoption, attracting 1 million users within a week of its release and reaching 100 million users two months after launch. Its capabilities have not only made it a popular tool for individuals but also a subject of interest for businesses looking to leverage AI for enhanced customer interaction and productivity.

The tool has undergone several updates, with the most recent versions, GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, offering even more advanced features, such as the ability to process and analyze images, and a larger context window for maintaining conversations.

Key Features of ChatGPT (GPT-3/4)

  • GPT-4 can process up to 25,000 words, significantly more than its predecessors, enabling it to handle more complex and nuanced instructions.
  • It has a strong grasp of various programming languages, enabling it to generate code snippets in response to specific programming tasks or queries.
  • ChatGPT can quickly scan through thousands of lines of code for error identification based on a code or error message.
  • Developers can adapt ChatGPT for a wide range of specialized tasks, showcasing the model's versatility in addressing diverse industry challenges.
  • ChatGPT has been designed to prioritize user privacy and security, setting it apart from other language models.

4. AlphaCode by DeepMind

AlphaCode by DeepMind

AlphaCode by DeepMind represents a groundbreaking leap in the world of AI-driven code generation, setting a new benchmark in the intersection of artificial intelligence and software development. Born from DeepMind's ambitious mission to solve intelligence, AlphaCode is not just another AI tool; it's a pioneering system designed to write computer programs at a competitive level, a feat that was once thought to be the exclusive domain of human intellect. This innovation marks a significant milestone in competitive programming, demonstrating the potential of deep learning models to tackle tasks that require not just technical skills but also critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

DeepMind's AlphaCode has challenged the conventional boundaries of AI's capabilities by participating in real-world programming competitions. Impressively, it achieved an estimated rank within the top 54% of participants, showcasing its ability to generate novel and interesting solutions to complex problems. This achievement is not just a testament to AlphaCode's programming prowess but also hints at the vast potential of AI in enhancing programming and problem-solving across various domains.

Key Features of AlphaCode by DeepMind

  • AlphaCode uses efficient-to-sample transformer-based architectures, which are critical for its performance in code generation.
  • Solutions are filtered based on program behavior, ensuring that only functional and relevant code is selected.
  • Unlike some AI models, AlphaCode does not have explicit built-in knowledge about the structure of computer code; it learns purely from data.
  • AlphaCode uses verifiers to judge the correctness of model samples and rerank them accordingly.
  • DeepMind has released its dataset of competitive programming problems and solutions on GitHub, fostering further innovation in the field.
  • It can create programs in both C++ and Python, two widely used programming languages.

5. Code Llama by Meta

Code Llama by Meta

Code Llama by Meta is a leap forward in the AI-driven code generation world. As the latest innovation from Meta AI, Code Llama is not just another large language model (LLM); it's a specialized tool designed to transform the way developers interact with code. Code Llama works on taking coding capabilities to new heights, offering unparalleled assistance in generating code, understanding natural language about code, and even debugging, all from simple text prompts.

With its release, Code Llama sets a new standard for publicly available LLMs on code tasks, promising to make developer workflows faster, more efficient, and accessible to a broader audience. Whether you're a seasoned programmer looking to streamline your coding process or a newcomer eager to break into the world of software development, Code Llama stands ready to revolutionize your coding experience.

Key Features of Code Llama by Meta

  • Code Llama is available in four sizes—7B, 13B, 34B, and 70B parameters, catering to different computational and latency requirements.
  • Code Llama is released under the same community license as Llama 2, promoting open access for both research and commercial purposes.
  • Code Llama has shown superior performance on popular coding benchmarks like HumanEval and Mostly Basic Python Programming (MBPP), outperforming other open-source, code-specific LLMs.
  • The models provide stable generations with up to 100,000 tokens of context, allowing for the generation of longer programs and handling larger codebases.
  • Meta promotes an open approach to AI development, encouraging the community to evaluate capabilities, identify issues, and fix vulnerabilities.

6. Amazon CodeWhisperer

Amazon CodeWhisperer

Amazon CodeWhisperer is the AI-powered coding companion that's transforming the way developers write code. Launched by Amazon Web Services, CodeWhisperer is designed to enhance developer productivity by providing intelligent code recommendations in real-time, directly within the integrated development environment (IDE). By simply writing a comment in plain English, such as “upload a file to S3,” CodeWhisperer springs into action, automatically generating code snippets that are tailored to the task at hand.

This innovative tool is not just about speeding up the coding process; it's about making it more intuitive and accessible. With CodeWhisperer, developers can stay focused on their IDE, reducing the need to switch contexts and search for code samples or documentation online. Whether you're building applications on AWS or working with a variety of programming languages, CodeWhisperer offers a seamless coding experience that aligns with best practices and boosts overall productivity.

Key Features of Amazon CodeWhisperer

  • Completes code blocks for structures like if/for/while/try, enhancing coding efficiency.
  • Compatible with popular IDEs like JetBrains IDEs, Visual Studio Code, AWS Cloud9, JupyterLab, and Amazon SageMaker Studio.
  • Provides CLI completions and natural-language-to-bash translation, modernizing the command line experience.
  • Filters out code suggestions that might be considered biased and unfair, promoting responsible AI use.
  • Offers administrative capabilities for organizations, including single sign-on (SSO) with AWS IAM Identity Center integration and organizational policy management.
  • Offers unlimited code suggestions and 50 security scans per user, per month, for individual developers.

7. Replit

Replit

Replit is not just an online integrated development environment (IDE); it's a multifaceted platform that's redefining the way software is created and shared. With its roots firmly planted in the cloud, Replit offers a seamless blend of an IDE, a collaborative coding space, and a community-driven hub, all accessible from any web browser. It's a place where ideas come to life in seconds, and where the barriers between learning, coding, and launching are virtually non-existent.

Celebrating a community of over 20 million developers, Replit has seen a staggering 34000% growth in AI projects, showcasing its commitment to empowering the next billion software creators. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, Replit provides the tools and resources you need to build, collaborate, and deploy your applications with ease.

Key Features of Replit

  • An ML-powered pair programmer that completes your code in real-time, offering tools to generate, transform, and explain code.
  • Replit supports a wide range of programming languages, making it versatile for various coding projects.
  • Provides pre-configured Repls as boilerplates for new projects, speeding up the setup process.
  • Offers a seamless coding experience on touchscreen devices through the official Replit Mobile App.
  • A freelance listing feature where users can post coding projects with a reward, encouraging community collaboration.
  • Bundles advanced AI features, scalable deployments, a faster workspace, and exclusive community events into one comprehensive membership.

8. Sourcegraph Cody

Sourcegraph Cody

Sourcegraph Cody, an overpowered AI coding assistant, is revolutionizing the way developers interact with their codebases. Born from the innovative minds at Sourcegraph, Cody leverages the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Sourcegraph's comprehensive code graph to offer unparalleled coding assistance. This free and open-source tool is designed to understand the entirety of your codebase, drawing upon vast knowledge of open-source code and extensive training data to provide accurate code writing, suggestions for improvement, and insightful answers to your coding queries.

Cody stands out by integrating seamlessly with your development environment, acting as a dedicated AI partner that not only writes code but also enhances your understanding of complex codebases. Whether you're tackling a tricky bug, exploring new code optimizations, or simply seeking to boost your productivity, Cody is equipped to guide you through with precision and intelligence.

Key Features of Sourcegraph Cody

  • Cody fetches relevant code context from across your entire codebase, not just local context or a single repository, to provide more accurate code suggestions.
  • Cody uses Sourcegraph's code search and code graph (SCIP) to retrieve contextual code snippets and documentation relevant to user queries.
  • Allows users to ask Cody to fix or refactor code from anywhere in a file.
  • Cody has quick commands for common actions, such as “Document code,” “Explain code,” and “Generate Unit Tests”.
  • Cody is an open-source project under the Apache 2.0 license, allowing developers to access and contribute to its development.
  • Utilizes graph technology to provide additional context to prompts, making it easier to surface relevant code.

9. AskCodi

AskCodi

AskCodi is an AI code assistant that's transforming the coding landscape for developers around the globe. With the power of OpenAI Codex at its core, AskCodi is designed to streamline the coding process, making it faster, more efficient, and less labor-intensive. Whether you're generating code, creating unit tests, or crafting documentation, AskCodi is your go-to tool for reducing repetitive tasks and freeing up valuable time to focus on innovation and complex problem-solving.

As a testament to its capabilities, AskCodi supports more than 50 languages and frameworks, ensuring that developers can rely on it regardless of their project's requirements. It's not just a tool; it's a smart companion that integrates seamlessly with popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and JetBrains' IDEs, bringing AI-powered efficiency right to your fingertips.

Key Features of AskCodi

  • Automatically generates unit tests for your methods, using popular testing frameworks like Jest or Jasmine, enhancing code reliability.
  • Provides detailed explanations of code snippets, helping developers understand complex code or learn new programming concepts.
  • Codi Chat is an integrated chatbot interface where developers can ask any coding-related questions, similar to interacting with ChatGPT but within your IDE.
  • Leverages the advanced capabilities of OpenAI Codex, trained on billions of lines of open-source public code, for accurate and context-aware code suggestions.
  • Excels at generating boilerplate code, reducing repetitive tasks, and saving developers time.

10. Codiga

Codiga

Codiga is a powerful AI-driven platform that's reshaping the way developers approach coding and code quality. As a comprehensive tool for static code analysis, automated code reviews, and smart code snippets, Codiga is the ally every developer needs to ensure their code is not only efficient but also secure. With its origin in the innovative vision of Julien Delaine, Codiga has grown to become a game-changer in the software development industry, boasting a user base of over 15,000 and a growing number of paying customers.

This platform is not just about identifying issues; it's about fostering a culture of excellence in coding. Codiga's real-time feedback and comprehensive security checks, including OWASP10 and CWE/SANS Top 25, ensure that every line of code is up to the mark. Whether you're working in VS Code, JetBrains, VisualStudio, GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket, Codiga integrates seamlessly, making it a versatile tool for developers across various environments.

Key Features of Codiga

  • Codiga analyzes pull/merge requests in seconds, providing developers with immediate feedback on their code.
  • Developers can create, test, and share new code analysis rules from their browsers in less than five minutes.
  • Works with the most popular languages and libraries and supports multiple branches.
  • Codiga can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines, ensuring code quality throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Provides historical analysis of all errors for each commit, helping developers track and resolve issues.
  • Users can create their own rules for analyzing code or use existing rules from the Codiga Hub.

11. CodeWP

CodeWP

CodeWP is an excellent AI-powered tool specifically crafted for the WordPress community. Founded by James LePage and rapidly evolving since its inception in November 2022, CodeWP has quickly become a leading name in AI research and product development within the WordPress ecosystem. With a mission to simplify the lives of WordPress creators, CodeWP has grown from a simple side project to a full-fledged company that now aids nearly 50,000 WordPress developers in their daily tasks.

This innovative platform is not just about generating code; it's about creating a suite of AI tools that cater to all types of WordPress creators. From conversationally generating complete plugins from a single language prompt to offering plugin-specific modes for the most accurate code generations, CodeWP is setting the standard for AI in the WordPress industry.

Key Features of CodeWP

  • Provides a chatbot trained specifically for WordPress, enabling users to learn and research as if speaking to a WordPress expert.
  • Connects the front end of your site to the AI, offering suggestions on accessibility, conversion, errors, and more (coming soon).
  • Automatically suggests solutions for PHP warnings and fatal errors (coming soon).
  • Offers conversational editing and explanations for existing code pasted into the CodeWP editor.
  • Allows users to fine-tune outputs to their preferences, including OOP mode and inline comments.
  • Offers presets designed for page builders, Gutenberg blocks, dashboard widgets, and more for quick code generation.

12. Sourcery

Sourcery

Sourcery is an innovative AI-powered coding assistant that's transforming the way developers write and improve their code. As a cutting-edge tool, Sourcery refines your Python code by suggesting enhancements and refactoring opportunities in real-time, directly within your IDE. Born from the desire to automate the tedious aspects of coding, Sourcery has quickly become an indispensable tool for Python developers who strive for excellence in their work.

With its advanced algorithms, Sourcery analyzes your codebase, identifies areas for improvement, and offers suggestions to make your code cleaner, more efficient, and easier to maintain. It's like having a seasoned Python mentor reviewing your work, ensuring that best practices are always within reach.

Key Features of Sourcery

  • Sourcery reviews changes to your code, providing human-like reviews in seconds, ensuring code quality without delaying the development process.
  • Generates smart code snippets that can be directly integrated into your project, speeding up development.
  • Provides continuous feedback on code quality, helping developers to adhere to best practices.
  • Helps identify duplicate or near-duplicate code across your project, promoting DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principles.
  • While primarily focused on Python, Sourcery also offers suggestions for JavaScript and TypeScript files.
  • Provides in-line suggestions while you work, based on more than 160 Python best practices and more than 40 JavaScript and TypeScript best practices.
  • Quickly quantifies your code’s quality through Sourcery's Code Quality Metrics, offering insights into potential improvements.

How AI will Change the Role and Required Skills of Software Developers?

via GIPHY

As AI becomes more integrated into software development, the role of developers is evolving. While AI can automate mundane coding tasks, it's also enabling engineers to focus on higher-level problem-solving and architecture. Developers will need to hone their skills in AI and machine learning to effectively leverage these tools.

Rather than replacing developers, AI is becoming a collaborative partner – suggesting code, catching bugs, and optimizing performance. To thrive in this AI-augmented landscape, developers should cultivate an understanding of how to prompt, train, and customize AI models for their specific needs. Adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning will be key, as the technology rapidly advances. By embracing AI, developers can become the architects of more innovative, reliable, and efficient software.

Limitations and Risks of Relying Too Heavily on AI-Generated Code

While AI code-generation tools can significantly boost developer productivity, over-reliance on AI-generated code comes with serious risks. AI models can introduce subtle bugs, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues that may go unnoticed without careful human review.

AI lacks the contextual understanding and critical thinking skills of human developers. It may suggest code that appears to work but contains hidden flaws or doesn't fully meet the intended requirements. AI models also have the potential to amplify biases or bad coding practices present in their training data.

Furthermore, blindly accepting AI-generated code without thorough testing and validation can lead to a false sense of security. Developers may become complacent and overly dependent on AI assistance, leading to the deterioration of their own coding skills over time.

To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to maintain human oversight when using AI coding tools. Experienced developers should carefully review, test, and iterate on AI-generated code to ensure correctness, security, and alignment with coding best practices. AI should be treated as a helpful assistant to augment human expertise, not as a replacement for critical thinking and due diligence in the software development process.

How can AI code writers improve coding efficiency?

AI code writers can improve efficiency by providing real-time code suggestions, automating code generation, and reducing the time spent on debugging.

Do AI code writers help with code documentation?

Many AI code writers can assist with generating comments and documentation, helping to maintain a clear and understandable codebase.

Are there any security concerns with using AI code writers?

As with any tool, there can be security concerns, especially regarding the handling of sensitive data. It's important to review the privacy policies of the AI code writer being used.

How do AI code writers handle complex coding tasks?

AI code writers can handle complex tasks to some extent, but they may require human input to fully understand and execute such tasks effectively.

Can AI code writers learn from their mistakes?

AI code writers can improve over time as they are trained on more data and user feedback, which helps them learn from past errors.

Can AI code writers be customized for specific coding styles?

Some AI code writers allow customization to align with specific coding styles and preferences.

Where can I find AI code writers to try out?

AI code writers are available through various platforms and can often be found as extensions in IDE marketplaces or on the websites of the companies that develop them.

Closing Remarks: Best AI Code Writers

As we stand at the precipice of a new era in software development, the emergence of AI code writers has been nothing short of a revolution. These intelligent AI Code Writers have redefined the role of developers, augmenting their skills and enabling them to achieve unprecedented levels of productivity and creativity.

The journey through the 12 Best AI Code Writers has revealed a world where the art of coding converges with the science of artificial intelligence, creating a synergy that propels the industry forward.

The transformative power of AI in coding is not just about automating tasks; it's about elevating the craft to new heights. Developers are now empowered to focus on the complex and creative aspects of their projects, leaving the mundane to their AI counterparts. With the potential to reduce errors, optimize code, and make programming accessible to a broader audience, AI code writers are not just tools but partners in the creative process.

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.