by Charles Miller

Last week I was extremely sharp in my criticism of ChatGPT's complete ignorance as it tried pawning off, not just one, but four demonstrably wrong answers in a row to the same sports-related trivia question I asked. Obviously ChatGPT has not spent as many decades following professional sports as I have, and I was really disappointed it confidently offered so many wrong answers as being fact.

The truth is that ChatGPT and I get along quite well with each other when discussing other subjects, such as computer programming. What I have learned is that I can chat with ChatGPT on the subject of computer programming languages almost as effectively as comparing notes with a live computer programmer person. Today I do not do as much coding (computer programming) as I once did, but on occasion I want to create a macro in Microsoft Excel or Word.

A macro is a small computer program including an automated sequence of actions that can save a lot of time by performing repetitive tasks. For example, when typing I have a macro I use to format text in my favorite font by pressing one key, rather than the regular way that requires about ten mouse clicks. Microsoft Office creates macros using the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) programming language. To create macros one needs to have some understanding of VBA, which I do, but I am not fluent in that language.

When I am coding I can and often do ask ChatGPT for some assistance. For example I might ask a question: “What is the correct syntax to modify the command ‘Cells(x+1, targetCell.Column)’ to include selecting two cells to the right?” It is not important for you the reader to understand that question, just understand that this is what software source code looks like.

ChatGPT understood the question and immediately answers “Range(Cells(x+1, targetCell.Column), Cells(x+1, targetCell.Column+2))”

Usually, about four times out of five the response from ChatGPT is wrong or nearly right and I have to clean up the answer or ask the question again a different way... BUT WAIT!

When I am mucking my way through the confusing syntax of Visual Basic without the assistance of ChatGPT I often have to try a dozen times before I finally land on the exact correct syntax that makes the computer do what I want it to do. So, in reality even though ChatGPT often gives me four wrong answers out of five, it is still almost three times more proficient than I am with my dozen answers eleven of which did not work.

This is normal in the world of writing software code. No computer programmer no matter how expert can write completely bug-free code on the first attempt. If any computer tech ever tells you they can do this, you should sneeringly ask them: “So you think you can COPY CON PROGRAM.EXE ?” (In computer tech-speak that is a stinging insult to let that person know you are not fooled by their bovine feculence, their BS.)

More than one out-of-touch politician has been heard to suggest that out-of-work coal miners could easily transition into programming jobs if they learn to code. I am not sure about that because I have been coding since the days it was done by punching holes in paper Hollerith cards and ChatGPT is already better than I am and it is learning faster than I am able. I can still claim to have an edge over ChatGPT when it comes to sports trivia though.

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Charles Miller is a freelance computer consultant with decades of IT experience and a Texan with a lifetime love for Mexico. The opinions expressed are his own. He may be contacted at 415-101-8528 or email FAQ8 (at) SMAguru.com.

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