Many non programmers want to use AI to write some small tools: batch renaming files, organizing tables, crawling webpage titles... There are many ideas, but they don't know where to start. In fact, for AI to help you write programs, you don't need to be proficient in grammar, you just need to be able to "propose requirements" and "run verification". Here is a set of four step methods suitable for zero foundation.
Step 1: Write the requirement into a paragraph
Don't write code, first clarify what you need to do: what the input is, what you want to output, and in what environment it will be used. For example, 'Read all the pictures in a folder and rename them to the format 20260904_01.jpg according to the shooting date'. The more specific the description, the closer the AI generated program is to the effect you want. Say only one task at a time, don't cram ten requirements into the same program.
Step 2: Have the AI generate the initial version and ask it to explain
Send the requirements to AI, ask it to provide complete code, and have it explain the key parts in plain language. It's okay if you can't understand, the key is to make the AI explain clearly what each step is doing - this is the fastest way for beginners to understand the program. If AI provides multiple solutions, choose the simplest one first.
Step 3: Run and paste the error message back in its original form
Save the code as a file (such as rename. py) and run it in the terminal. Error reporting is not scary. Copy the red error message in its entirety and paste it back to AI as it is. It will tell you where it went wrong and how to correct it. Many beginners are stuck at this step, but they just dare not send the error message to AI.
Step 4: Verify the results, and then ask AI to close the process
After the program runs smoothly, first verify whether the output meets expectations on a small sample, and then let it process all files. Finally, please ask AI to add comments, handle special situations (such as duplicate names, empty folders), and proactively ask if there are any security risks with this program (such as whether it may accidentally delete files).
Three reminders for beginners with zero foundation
Firstly, always try running on a small sample first, don't process all the data right away; Secondly, important files should be backed up first; It doesn't matter if you don't understand every line generated by AI, but at least you need to understand what the program is' probably doing ', which is the bottom line to avoid accidents.
AI won't replace your thinking, but it can help you turn your ideas into reality. Starting from today's first small script, you are only four steps away from 'solving problems with programs'.
【 Reference source 】 Comprehensive compilation of industry information and engineering practice discussions that have been publicly released.