Article •
And on the Eighth Day, I Asked ChatGPT
I never knew how to code. I mean, I learned basic HTML in high school and could probably whip up a clunky-looking website. It would work, but it wouldn’t be pretty. Back then, I just didn't have the desire—or the attention span—to dive any deeper.
I never knew how to code. I mean, I learned basic HTML in high school and could probably whip up a clunky-looking website. It would work, but it wouldn’t be pretty. Back then, I just didn't have the desire—or the attention span—to dive any deeper.
But everything changed when the Fire Nation attac--.
Okay, sorry, I had to. But in a way, everything did change when LLMs became a thing.
I still vividly remember the surreal wonder of it all: staring at a screen, typing a few words, and watching ChatGPT talk back to me like a real person.
From there, it was a rabbit hole. The more I used it, the more I realized was possible. It quickly evolved from a souped-up Google Search to my personal homework assistant (and maybe, occasionally, the one doing the work… sorry, Mr. [Redacted]).
That’s when the lightbulb went on. Wait a minute—I can actually build things with this!
And it all started with SQL.
In the beginning, there were tables.
No, really. I had this database assignment, and the memory is blurry, but I know it involved SQL. And I hated SQL. Our relationship has improved since, but at the time, the only way I could force myself to learn it was by deciding to build a game.
Of course, that led to an immediate, face-first collision with a simple question:
How the hell do I do that?
My first port of call, often before my own brain had a chance to engage, was ChatGPT. It gave me instructions, and they were… fine. The problem wasn't the AI; it was me. I didn't understand the fundamentals. Create what file? What's this variable for? Host it where? Am I throwing a party?
I would later learn this approach has a name: "Vibe Coding."
The project never became a game. It ended up as a simple info page about SQL. But what stuck with me wasn't the failed project; it was the spark of possibility. I could use this tool to create things from nothing.
My journey since then has been littered with half-finished passion projects and sudden bursts of motivation, but every single one taught me something.
This was my origin story in the world of coding, and I hope you'll stick around for the rest of it.
Thanks for reading :)
Okay, sorry, I had to. But in a way, everything did change when LLMs became a thing.
I still vividly remember the surreal wonder of it all: staring at a screen, typing a few words, and watching ChatGPT talk back to me like a real person.
From there, it was a rabbit hole. The more I used it, the more I realized was possible. It quickly evolved from a souped-up Google Search to my personal homework assistant (and maybe, occasionally, the one doing the work… sorry, Mr. [Redacted]).
That’s when the lightbulb went on. Wait a minute—I can actually build things with this!
And it all started with SQL.
In the beginning, there were tables.
No, really. I had this database assignment, and the memory is blurry, but I know it involved SQL. And I hated SQL. Our relationship has improved since, but at the time, the only way I could force myself to learn it was by deciding to build a game.
Of course, that led to an immediate, face-first collision with a simple question:
How the hell do I do that?
My first port of call, often before my own brain had a chance to engage, was ChatGPT. It gave me instructions, and they were… fine. The problem wasn't the AI; it was me. I didn't understand the fundamentals. Create what file? What's this variable for? Host it where? Am I throwing a party?
I would later learn this approach has a name: "Vibe Coding."
The project never became a game. It ended up as a simple info page about SQL. But what stuck with me wasn't the failed project; it was the spark of possibility. I could use this tool to create things from nothing.
My journey since then has been littered with half-finished passion projects and sudden bursts of motivation, but every single one taught me something.
This was my origin story in the world of coding, and I hope you'll stick around for the rest of it.
Thanks for reading :)