How to Use GitHub Copilot with Swift using VSCode?

Hello, fellow programmer! If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for methods to speed up and simplify the development process. Do you know about GitHub Copilot? This AI-powered code aide has the potential to completely alter your playing experience. It employs machine learning to assist you in writing code more quickly and precisely. And what’s this? One of the coolest code editors for macOS, VSCode, will be used to demonstrate how to leverage GitHub Copilot with Swift today. So let’s get going!

Introduction

The GPT-3 language model from OpenAI is the foundation of the AI-powered code helper known as GitHub Copilot. Given the context of what you’re doing, it can understand natural language inquiries and make suggestions for code snippets. This can shorten the time it takes to create repetitious code while also enabling you to develop better code more quickly. The programming language Swift is utilised to create apps for Apple systems. It is a strong language with numerous cutting-edge features that are simple to learn. You can use GitHub Copilot to write better code more quickly if you’re a Swift developer and use VSCode as your code editor.

How to Use GitHub Copilot with Swift using VSCode?

To use GitHub Copilot with Swift using VSCode, we need to install the Language Server Protocol (LSP) which is supported on both VSCode and Swift via a package called SourceKit-LSP. Here are the steps to use GitHub Copilot with Swift using VSCode:

1. Installing Xcode: Xcode serves as an integrated development environment (IDE) specifically designed for macOS, providing a comprehensive set of tools for building software targeting Apple’s platforms. You can acquire Xcode by downloading it either from the Mac App Store or directly from the Apple Developer website.
2. Installing Node: Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment that utilizes Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. It enables the execution of JavaScript code outside of a web browser. To install Node.js, you can visit the official website and download the appropriate package for your operating system.
3. Installing the SourceKit-LSP Extension for VSCode: SourceKit-LSP serves as a language server offering IDE-like functionality for Swift development. You can easily add this extension to Visual Studio Code (VSCode) by accessing the VSCode marketplace and installing the SourceKit-LSP extension.
4. Installing GitHub Copilot: GitHub Copilot is an innovative machine-learning tool that assists developers in writing code. You can effortlessly install GitHub Copilot by navigating to the Visual Studio Code marketplace and following the installation instructions provided there.

Installing VSCode

A common code editor that is used by many developers is VSCode. It is compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows. It is available for download on the official VSCode website. You can move on to the following step once you’ve downloaded and installed VSCode.

Installing GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is currently in technical preview and is available only to a limited number of users. You can request access to the technical preview on the GitHub Copilot website. Once you’ve been granted access to the technical preview, you can install GitHub Copilot in VSCode by following these steps:

1. Installing GitHub Copilot on your computer is necessary before using it with Swift. Here is how to go about it:
2. You must initially register for the GitHub Copilot technical preview. Visit the GitHub Copilot website and select “Request access” to accomplish this.
3. Install the GitHub Copilot extension in VSCode once you have been given access to the technical preview.
   Open VSCode and select the Extensions option to accomplish this. Find “GitHub Copilot” by searching for it, then select “Install.”
4. You must authenticate the extension with your GitHub account after it has been installed. To log in, select “Sign in with GitHub” and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Setting up Swift in VSCode

Before you can use GitHub Copilot with Swift in VSCode, you need to set up Swift in VSCode. Follow these steps to set up Swift in VSCode:

1. From the official Swift website, download and set up the Swift compiler.
2. Launch VSCode
3. On the window’s left side, click the extension’s icon.
4. In the search box, type “Swift Language”
5. To install the extension, select “Install.”

Using GitHub Copilot with Swift in VSCode

To use GitHub Copilot with Swift in VSCode, follow these steps:

1. In VSCode, open a Swift file.
2. If you wish to code something, type a natural language query or description.
3. Activate the “Tab” key.
4. GitHub Based on your search term or description, Copilot will produce a code sample.

Using GitHub Copilot with Swift

Using GitHub Copilot with Swift is easy and intuitive. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Create a new Swift file

The first step is to create a new Swift file in VSCode. You can do this by going to File > New File or by pressing Command + N on your keyboard.

Step 2: Initialize the file

Once you have created a new file, you need to initialize it with some basic code. Start by typing the following code:

SwiftCopy codeimport UIKit

class ViewController: UIViewController {

}

Step 3: Start using Copilot

Now comes the fun part! To start using Copilot, simply start typing some code. For example, let’s say you want to add a button to your view controller. Type the following code:

SwiftCopy codelet button = UIButton()

As you start typing, Copilot will suggest code snippets that match what you are typing. In this case, it might suggest something like:

SwiftCopy codelet button = UIButton(type: .system)
button.setTitle("Button", for: .normal)
button.addTarget(self, action: #selector(buttonTapped), for: .touchUpInside)

Step 4: Accept Copilot suggestions

To accept a Copilot suggestion, simply press the Tab key on your keyboard. This will insert the suggested code into your file. You can then modify the code as needed.

Step 5: Continue coding

Continue coding as you normally would, and let Copilot suggest code snippets as you go along.

Best Practices for Using GitHub Copilot with Swift in VSCode

Here are some best practices for using GitHub Copilot with Swift in VSCode:

1. Start with simplicity: When utilizing GitHub Copilot, it is advisable to begin with small and uncomplicated code snippets, gradually progressing to more intricate ones. Embracing this approach will ensure that your code remains manageable and easier to comprehend.
2. Review before implementation: Prior to incorporating any generated code snippets into your project, it is crucial to meticulously review them. Take the time to verify their relevance and accuracy. This diligent practice will save you from potential complications and challenges in the future.
3. Trust your expertise: While GitHub Copilot is an immensely useful tool, remember to have faith in your own knowledge and experience when making coding decisions. Relying on your skills is the most effective way to guarantee the production of high-quality code.
4. Maintain organization: It is true that GitHub Copilot can swiftly generate code snippets. However, it is essential to resist the temptation of producing messy and disorganized code. Strive to maintain a clean and well-structured codebase that is easy to follow and comprehend.
5. Continual training: The more you utilize GitHub Copilot, the more adept it becomes at accurately predicting your coding requirements. Therefore, it is advantageous to regularly employ the tool and train it with your own code. Over time, it will feel like having a coding partner who possesses an in-depth understanding of your needs.

Conclusion

Swift developers may write better code more quickly with the help of GitHub Copilot, a potent tool. You may set up and use GitHub Copilot with Swift in VSCode with ease by adhering to the instructions provided in this article. Always start with short code snippets, go over them, apply your knowledge, keep your code organised, and teach GitHub Copilot on a regular basis.