Does GitHub Copilot boost productivity?

Sara Verdi
Sara Verdi
Graphite software engineer

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant designed to suggest code snippets, functions, and even entire classes as you type. Built on OpenAI's Codex, it serves as a virtual pair programmer that aims to enhance developer productivity. But how exactly does it boost productivity? This guide will explore exactly that and how other code review tools like Graphite can layer on top of Copilot's productivity benefits.

GitHub Copilot's features have the opportunity to boost developer productivity in several impactful ways. Here’s a look at how these features elevate the coding experience:

GitHub Copilot uses machine learning to provide predictive code suggestions based on the context of what a developer is writing. This functionality allows developers to:

  • Write code faster: By generating relevant code snippets, functions, or entire classes, Copilot helps developers complete tasks much quicker than if they were to write everything from scratch.
  • Reduce boilerplate code: Copilot can automate the creation of repetitive code structures, freeing developers to focus on more complex problems and logic.
  • Error reduction: With its ability to suggest syntax and logical corrections, Copilot can help prevent common coding errors, leading to cleaner and more reliable code.
  • Best practices: It often incorporates established coding standards and best practices, helping developers write maintainable and scalable code.

Copilot's context-aware suggestions adapt to the specific project, programming language, and existing codebase. This means that:

  • Relevant suggestions: It understands the project context, which allows it to offer more relevant code completions tailored to the task at hand.
  • Adaptation to user style: As developers use Copilot, it learns from their coding style and preferences, enhancing the relevance of its suggestions over time.
  • Aiding new developers: For those new to a programming language or framework, Copilot serves as a valuable learning tool by providing real-time examples and explanations of how to implement certain functionalities.
  • Faster onboarding: Teams can onboard new members more efficiently as Copilot helps bridge the knowledge gap regarding codebases, libraries, and APIs.
  • Faster merges: By suggesting corrections and identifying potential issues before code is reviewed, Copilot can reduce the time spent on code reviews. This leads to:
    • Faster time-to-merge: Teams can integrate changes more quickly, which accelerates the development cycle.
    • Improved focus on major issues: Reviewers can concentrate on architectural and design decisions instead of minor syntax errors.

Developers report enjoying the coding process more with Copilot as it:

  • Makes more time for creating solutions: By handling repetitive tasks and providing instant suggestions, Copilot allows developers to focus more on problem-solving and creativity.
  • Increases Confidence: Developers often feel more confident in their code quality, knowing that they have an AI assistant to catch potential errors and suggest improvements.

To quantify the productivity boosts, organizations can use tools and frameworks to measure the impact of GitHub Copilot through:

  • Developer Surveys: Gathering feedback on how Copilot affects workflow and productivity.
  • Telemetry Data: Analyzing usage patterns to assess how frequently Copilot suggestions are accepted and integrated into codebases.

Both GitHub and external researchers have observed significant productivity boosts in controlled experiments and field studies. Key findings include:

  • 55% faster task completion using predictive text.
  • Quality improvements across eight dimensions, such as readability, error-free coding, and maintainability.
  • 50% faster time-to-merge, enabling teams to integrate code changes more quickly.

Source: "Research: quantifying GitHub Copilot’s impact on developer productivity and happiness."

User feedback also plays an important role in evaluating GitHub Copilot's impact. Many developers report that Copilot not only helps them write code but also improves their overall development experience.

Mark Côté, Director of Engineering at Shopify, emphasizes the importance of developer feedback, noting that “the overwhelming majority of developers who use GitHub Copilot say it’s a valuable tool they use at least once a week, which is certainly enough to justify our investment.” This sentiment is echoed across various teams, where Copilot has become an integral part of the coding workflow.

Developers have also reported that Copilot allowed them to:

  • Increase efficiency: Many users noted that Copilot helps them focus on complex problems rather than boilerplate code, effectively streamlining the development process.
  • Learn new skills: Some developers found it beneficial for learning new programming languages or frameworks, as it provides real-time examples and suggestions.

While GitHub Copilot assists in coding, tools like Graphite Reviewer complement this process by providing actionable feedback on pull requests. Graphite Reviewer automates the identification of bugs and logical errors to ensure developers can focus on high-impact code changes rather than trivial issues. By integrating both tools into the development workflow, teams can maximize their productivity and code quality, driving more efficient software development.

In summary, GitHub Copilot has shown significant promise in enhancing developer productivity through various means, including improved coding speed, reduced cognitive load, and higher-quality code reviews. Using AI in software development lifecycle continues to evolve, and tools like GitHub Copilot and Graphite Reviewer are at the forefront of this transformation, making developers' lives easier and improving overall productivity.

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