Planning With AI
AI coding assistants aren't just for writing code — they're excellent planning partners. Before you write your number base converter, let's use AI to think through the project structure and anticipate challenges.
Starting the Conversation
Begin by describing your goal clearly. A good opening prompt might be:
Help me plan a number base converter in Python. It should convert
between decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal. What functions
do I need and how should I structure the program?
The AI will likely suggest a structure with separate functions for each conversion type, a main menu loop, and input validation. This gives you a starting point to refine.
Asking Follow-Up Questions
Don't stop at the first response. Dig deeper with questions like:
- "What edge cases should I handle?"
- "How should I validate binary input?"
- "What happens if someone enters a negative number?"
These questions help you discover problems before they become bugs. The AI might point out that binary strings should only contain 0s and 1s, or that you need to decide how to handle leading zeros.
Refining Through Conversation
AI suggestions are starting points, not final answers. When the AI proposes a structure, think critically:
- Does this make sense for my skill level?
- Is this more complex than necessary?
- Are there simpler approaches?
If the AI suggests something overly complicated, ask for a simpler version. Say something like: "Can you suggest a simpler approach for a beginner?"
What AI Does Well in Planning
AI excels at:
- Listing the components a project needs
- Identifying common edge cases
- Suggesting function names and structures
- Explaining tradeoffs between approaches
This is exactly what you need during planning — a knowledgeable partner who can help you think through possibilities.
What to Watch For
AI sometimes overcomplicates things or suggests patterns you don't need yet. It might propose object-oriented designs when simple functions would work fine. Trust your judgment about what feels manageable.
Also remember that AI doesn't know your specific context. It might suggest features you don't want or skip ones you do. The plan should ultimately reflect your vision for the project.
Your Planning Checklist
After your AI planning session, you should have:
- A list of functions to write
- An understanding of the program flow
- Awareness of edge cases to handle
- A sense of how pieces connect
With this plan in hand, you're ready to start building — beginning with the core conversion functions in the next lesson.