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🤔 AI-Powered Development Workshop - Frequently Asked Questions

📋 Table of Contents


🤖 General AI Development Questions

Q: "Is AI going to replace developers?"

A: No! AI is a tool that amplifies developer capabilities, not replaces them. Think of it like:

  • 🔨 A power drill doesn't replace carpenters, it makes them more efficient
  • 🤖 AI handles repetitive tasks so you can focus on creative problem-solving
  • 🧠 You still need to understand the code, architecture, and business logic
  • ✅ AI suggestions need human review, context, and decision-making

Q: "How accurate is AI-generated code?"

A: AI accuracy varies significantly:

  • High accuracy (80-90%): Common patterns, standard algorithms, boilerplate code
  • ⚠️ Medium accuracy (50-70%): Business logic, complex algorithms, domain-specific code
  • Low accuracy (20-40%): Cutting-edge tech, proprietary systems, highly specific requirements
  • 🔍 Always review: Never trust AI blindly - always review and test generated code

Q: "Can I use AI-generated code in production?"

A: Yes, but with important considerations:

  • ✅ Always review and understand the code before using it
  • ✅ Test thoroughly - AI doesn't guarantee bug-free code
  • ✅ Check licensing and compliance requirements
  • ✅ Ensure code meets your organization's standards
  • ⚠️ Be extra careful with security-sensitive code

💻 GitHub Copilot Specific Questions

Q: "Why is my Copilot suggestion different from my colleague's?"

A: GitHub Copilot's variability is due to several factors:

Factor Impact Example
Context Different open files = different suggestions Having a test file open might generate test-focused code
History Your recent edits influence suggestions If you just wrote Java code, Copilot might favor Java patterns
Model Version Copilot updates regularly Newer versions might suggest different patterns
Randomness AI has inherent non-determinism Same prompt can yield variations
Settings IDE and Copilot configurations Temperature settings affect creativity vs consistency

Q: "Copilot isn't giving me any suggestions. What's wrong?"

A: Common troubleshooting steps:

  1. Check connection: Ensure you're connected to the internet
  2. Verify authentication: Look for Copilot icon in status bar
  3. Check subscription: Ensure your trial/subscription is active
  4. File type: Copilot works best with common programming languages
  5. Restart VS Code: Sometimes a simple restart helps
  6. Check firewall: Corporate firewalls might block Copilot

Q: "Is Copilot learning from my code?"

A: No, GitHub Copilot:

  • ❌ Does NOT train on your private code
  • ❌ Does NOT send your code to train the model
  • ✅ Uses pre-trained models from public code
  • ✅ Processes your code locally for context only
  • 🔒 Your code remains private and secure

Q: "Can I use Copilot for any programming language?"

A: Copilot supports many languages with varying effectiveness:

  • 🟢 Excellent: JavaScript, Python, TypeScript, Java, C#, Go, Ruby
  • 🟡 Good: C++, PHP, Swift, Kotlin, Rust, SQL
  • 🟠 Limited: Haskell, Scala, R, MATLAB, Assembly
  • 🔴 Minimal: Proprietary or rare languages

📝 Workshop Exercise Questions

Q: "My Calculator code looks nothing like the example. Is it wrong?"

A: Not necessarily! Check if your code:

  • ✅ Has all four operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
  • ✅ Handles division by zero
  • ✅ Compiles without errors
  • ✅ Produces correct results

If yes to all, your code is fine! Different implementations teach us different approaches.

Q: "The string optimization exercise shows minimal improvement. Why?"

A: Performance improvements depend on:

  • Dataset size: Small datasets (10 items) show minimal difference
  • JVM/Runtime optimization: Modern runtimes optimize simple cases
  • Measurement precision: Nanosecond measurements can be noisy
  • Hardware: Different machines show different results

Try with 10,000+ items to see dramatic differences!

Q: "The SQL injection example seems unrealistic. Do developers really write code like that?"

A: Unfortunately, yes:

  • 📊 OWASP Top 10: SQL injection remains a top vulnerability
  • 🏢 Legacy code: Many systems still have vulnerable code
  • 🚀 Rushed development: Time pressure leads to shortcuts
  • 📚 Education gaps: Not all developers learn secure coding

This exercise teaches you to recognize and fix these issues!

Q: "Why do we need to validate input twice (client and server)?"

A: Defense in depth principle:

  • 🖥️ Client validation: Better user experience, immediate feedback
  • 🔒 Server validation: Security (client validation can be bypassed)
  • 🛡️ Never trust the client: Attackers can modify client-side code
  • Best practice: Always validate on the server, optionally on client

🔧 Technical Issues and Troubleshooting

Q: "My Azure resources creation failed. What should I do?"

A: Common issues and solutions:

Error Cause Solution
"Subscription not found" Wrong subscription selected Run az account set --subscription <name>
"Name already exists" Resource name taken Script adds timestamp, try again
"Quota exceeded" Subscription limits Use a different region or contact Azure support
"Region not available" Service not in region Script auto-selects compatible region
"Insufficient permissions" Not enough rights Need Contributor role on subscription

Q: "The workshop files are in the wrong encoding/have strange characters"

A: File encoding issues:

  • Ensure UTF-8 encoding in your editor
  • On Windows, check for BOM (Byte Order Mark)
  • Use dos2unix for line ending issues
  • Clone with git config core.autocrlf false

Q: "My Java/C# environment isn't working correctly"

A: Environment checklist:

  • ✅ Correct version installed (Java 17+, .NET 6+)
  • ✅ PATH environment variable set
  • ✅ JAVA_HOME (for Java) configured
  • ✅ IDE recognizes the SDK
  • ✅ Restart terminal/IDE after installation

🤔 Ethical and Professional Concerns

Q: "Is it cheating to use AI for coding?"

A: No, it's tool adoption:

  • 🛠️ Using AI is like using an IDE instead of notepad
  • 📚 You still need to understand the code
  • 🎓 Many universities and companies encourage AI tool usage
  • ✅ The key is understanding, not just copying
  • 🏢 Most modern companies expect AI tool proficiency

Q: "What about code ownership and licensing?"

A: Important considerations:

  • Your code: You own code you write with AI assistance
  • AI suggestions: Based on patterns from public code
  • License compliance: You're responsible for ensuring compliance
  • Attribution: Not required for AI assistance
  • Company policy: Check your organization's AI usage policy

Q: "How do I know if AI-generated code is plagiarized?"

A: AI doesn't copy-paste, but:

  • 🔍 AI learns patterns from public code
  • 📝 Common patterns might match existing code
  • ✅ Run code through plagiarism checkers if concerned
  • 🎯 Focus on understanding and adapting, not just using
  • 📚 Add your own comments and modifications

Q: "Should I mention AI assistance in code reviews?"

A: Best practices:

  • ✅ Be transparent with your team
  • 📝 Focus on code quality, not generation method
  • 🔍 Ensure you can explain every line
  • 🤝 Follow team/company guidelines
  • 💡 Share AI techniques that helped

🏢 Enterprise and Security Questions

Q: "Is GitHub Copilot safe for enterprise use?"

A: Enterprise considerations:

Aspect Details
Data Privacy Code processed locally, not stored
Compliance SOC 2 Type 2 certified
Network Works behind corporate firewalls
Control Admins can manage access and settings
Audit Usage can be monitored and reported

Q: "What about sensitive code and secrets?"

A: Security best practices:

  • ❌ Never put secrets in code (with or without AI)
  • ✅ Use environment variables or secret managers
  • ✅ Configure .gitignore properly
  • ✅ Review AI suggestions for accidental secrets
  • 🔒 Use tools like git-secrets for scanning

Q: "Can we use the workshop's Azure resources for real projects?"

A: No! Workshop resources are:

  • 🧪 For learning only
  • 💰 Not optimized for cost
  • 🔓 Using default passwords
  • ⚠️ Missing production security
  • 🗑️ Should be deleted after workshop

Q: "How do we implement AI development at scale?"

A: Enterprise adoption strategy:

  1. Pilot: Start with small team
  2. Measure: Track productivity metrics
  3. Train: Develop best practices
  4. Expand: Roll out gradually
  5. Govern: Establish policies and guidelines

📚 Learning Path and Career Questions

Q: "What should I learn after this workshop?"

A: Recommended learning path:

Level Focus Resources
Next Week Practice daily with Copilot Use on real projects
Month 1 Advanced Copilot features Copilot Chat, workspace commands
Month 2 Other AI tools Cursor, Codeium, Amazon CodeWhisperer
Month 3 AI integration CI/CD with AI, automated testing
Ongoing Stay updated Follow AI development news

Q: "Will AI development skills help my career?"

A: Absolutely! Market demand:

  • 📈 75% of developers will use AI by 2028 (Gartner)
  • 💰 Higher salaries for AI-skilled developers
  • 🚀 Faster career growth with modern skills
  • 🏢 Company requirement at many organizations
  • 🌟 Competitive advantage in job market

Q: "How do I convince my team/manager to adopt AI tools?"

A: Building the business case:

  1. Start small: Personal productivity gains
  2. Measure impact: Track time saved
  3. Share successes: Demo to team
  4. Address concerns: Security, cost, accuracy
  5. Propose pilot: Limited trial with metrics

Q: "What if my company doesn't allow AI tools?"

A: Alternative approaches:

  • 🏠 Practice on personal projects
  • 📚 Learn concepts even without tools
  • 🗣️ Advocate for change with data
  • 🔍 Understand company concerns
  • 🚀 Be ready when policy changes

🆘 Still Have Questions?

Workshop Support Channels

Channel Purpose Response Time
GitHub Issues Technical problems 24-48 hours
Workshop Chat Live questions during workshop Immediate
Email Support Detailed questions 2-3 days
Community Forum Peer discussions Community-driven

How to Ask Good Questions

  1. Be specific: Include error messages, code snippets
  2. Show effort: Explain what you've tried
  3. Provide context: OS, versions, environment
  4. One issue: Focus on single problem
  5. Be patient: Everyone is learning!

📝 Note: This FAQ is continuously updated based on workshop feedback. Last updated: January 2024

⬅️ Back to Workshop Guide | 🏠 Back to Main README