21 GitHub Copilot Techniques for Code Acceleration

As developers, we are always looking for ways to accelerate our coding process without compromising on quality. GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code-completion tool that has revolutionized the way we write code. In this article, we will explore 21 techniques that you can use with GitHub Copilot to take your code-writing skills to the next level.

Table of Contents

1. Basic Syntax Completion
2. Code Snippet Generation
3. Function and Method Suggestions
4. Variable Name Suggestion
5. Type Hints and Autocomplete
6. Loop and Conditional Statement Suggestions
7. Switch Case Statement Generation
8. Object and Array Iteration
9. Class Definition Suggestion
10. Method Overloading and Inheritance
11. Async/Await Support
12. TypeScript and Flow Support
13. Code Formatting and Reformatting
14. Code Duplication Detection and Removal
15. Code Review and Suggestions
16. Collaborative Editing and Code Sharing
17. Version Control Integration
18. Debugging and Error Handling
19. Best Practices for GitHub Copilot
20. Troubleshooting Common Issues
21. Advanced Techniques and Hacks

1. Basic Syntax Completion

GitHub Copilot provides basic syntax completion features that can save you time when writing code. For example, if you start typing a variable name, Copilot will suggest possible completions based on the surrounding context.

Example Use Case:

• Type let my_ in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests my_name or my_variable

2. Code Snippet Generation

GitHub Copilot can generate code snippets for common programming tasks. For example, if you need to create a new function or method, Copilot will suggest the necessary syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Type function in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests function myFunction() { /* code */ }

3. Function and Method Suggestions

GitHub Copilot provides suggestions for functions and methods based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement a sorting algorithm, Copilot will suggest possible functions.

Example Use Case:

• Type sort( in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests function sort(arr) { /* code */ }

4. Variable Name Suggestion

GitHub Copilot provides suggestions for variable names based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to create a new variable, Copilot will suggest possible names.

Example Use Case:

• Type let my_ in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests my_variable or my_name

5. Type Hints and Autocomplete

GitHub Copilot provides type hints for variables and function parameters, making it easier to write code that is compatible with different programming languages.

Example Use Case:

• Type let myVariable: in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests possible types (e.g., number, string, etc.)

6. Loop and Conditional Statement Suggestions

GitHub Copilot provides suggestions for loops and conditional statements based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement a loop or condition, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Type for ( in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) { /* code */ }

7. Switch Case Statement Generation

GitHub Copilot can generate switch case statements based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement a switch statement, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Type switch ( in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests switch (condition) { /* cases */ }

8. Object and Array Iteration

GitHub Copilot provides suggestions for iterating over objects and arrays based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement a loop or method, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Type Object.keys( in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests Object.keys(myObject).forEach((key) => { /* code */ });

9. Class Definition Suggestion

GitHub Copilot provides suggestions for class definitions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement a class, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Type class in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests class MyClass { /* properties and methods */ }

10. Method Overloading and Inheritance

GitHub Copilot provides suggestions for method overloading and inheritance based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement a method or class that inherits from another, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Type class in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests class MyClass extends AnotherClass { /* properties and methods */ }

11. Async/Await Support

GitHub Copilot provides support for async/await syntax based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement an asynchronous function or method, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Type async function in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests async function myFunction() { /* code */ }

12. TypeScript and Flow Support

GitHub Copilot provides support for TypeScript and Flow based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement a type or class that is compatible with TypeScript or Flow, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Type type in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests type MyType = /* definition */

13. Code Formatting and Reformatting

GitHub Copilot provides code formatting and reformatting suggestions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to format or reformat code, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests a formatted version of the code

14. Code Duplication Detection and Removal

GitHub Copilot provides code duplication detection and removal suggestions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to detect or remove duplicated code, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests a version of the code with duplicates removed

15. Code Review and Suggestions

GitHub Copilot provides code review and suggestions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to review or improve code quality, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests improvements to the code

16. Collaborative Editing and Code Sharing

GitHub Copilot provides collaborative editing and code sharing suggestions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to share or edit code with others, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests a way to share the code with others

17. Version Control Integration

GitHub Copilot provides version control integration suggestions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to manage or track changes to code, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests a way to commit or push the code to a repository

18. Debugging and Error Handling

GitHub Copilot provides debugging and error handling suggestions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to detect or handle errors in code, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests a way to debug or handle an error in the code

19. Best Practices for GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot provides best practices suggestions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to improve code quality or adherence to standards, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests improvements to the code based on best practices

20. Troubleshooting Common Issues

GitHub Copilot provides troubleshooting suggestions for common issues based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need help solving a specific problem or error, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests solutions to common problems with similar code

21. Advanced Techniques and Hacks

GitHub Copilot provides advanced techniques and hacks suggestions based on the surrounding context. For example, if you need to implement a complex or innovative solution, Copilot will suggest possible syntax.

Example Use Case:

• Select some code in your editor
• GitHub Copilot suggests an advanced technique or hack for solving a specific problem