Using AI prompting in software engineering to write code, debug, and deploy faster

AI has transformed into a powerful tool for innovation, helping users unlock and leverage the full value of knowledge. Used well, AI can help software engineers uncover insights across their enterprise to innovate and deploy products with quality and speed. With the power of large language models combined with advanced information retrieval, engineers can now ask questions or make requests and receive immediate answers without spending hours sifting through documents or consulting colleagues.

However, to get the most out of AI, the user needs to deliver clear and comprehensive directions. These instructions are what we refer to as prompts — instructions made in conversational, natural language that contain all the right components needed to help the AI produce the user’s desired result.

Building a great prompt

Looking for some directions on how to get started? Here are some best practices on writing great prompts for software engineers:

• Format your output: Describe the output layout as clearly as possible. For example, use phrases like:some text
  • Write 5 paragraphs...
  • Generate 10 bullet points...
  • Create a table...
• Audience and tone: Tailor the content according to the audience and occasion. For example:some text
  • Write this for a non-technical audience
  • Write this for an executive review
• Specify a timeframe: Provide a specific timeframe to reference, such as:some text
  • ...from the past week
  • ...from the past month
    

Prompts for software engineering workflows

AI prompts for software engineers can be applied to various everyday workflows that deliver real results right away. Applications range from anything including  Here are some examples:

Onboarding new engineers: Glean can help new engineers get context on an area of code by explaining its purpose and key functionality using plain language.

• ‍Accelerating Code Review: Glean can summarize pull requests and identify key contributors and changes.

• ‍Debugging Errors: Glean can assist in resolving technical queries by providing immediate access to relevant documentation and support articles.

Leverage the full potential of work AI

While leveraging AI for work may initially seem daunting, writing clear and comprehensive prompts is critical to ensuring effective results. By following the best practices outlined above, software engineers can harness the full potential of AI prompting to enhance their workflows and productivity.

Glean's next-generation prompting suite offers endless possibilities for customization and sharing, making it an invaluable tool for engineers looking to improve their work processes. Explore the full capabilities of AI prompting by checking out our latest eBook — and sign up for a free demo today to learn more about Glean!

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