Using GPT-4 has significantly enhanced the efficiency of my work. My focus is primarily on developing straightforward PHP CRUD applications for addressing problems in my day-to-day job. These applications are simple, and don't use frameworks and MVC structures, which makes the code generated by GPT-4, based on my precise instructions, easy to comprehend and usually functional right out of the prompt. I find if I listen to the users needs I can make something that addresses a pain point easily.

I often request modifications to code segments, typically around 25 lines, to alter the reporting features to meet specific needs, such as group X and total Y on this page. GPT-4 responds accurately to these requests. After conducting a quick QA and test, the task is complete. This approach has been transformative, particularly effective for low-complexity tasks and clear-cut directives.

This process reminds me of how a senior programmer might delegate: breaking down tasks into fundamental components for a junior coder to execute. In my case, GPT-4 acts as the junior programmer, providing valuable assistance at a modest cost of $20 per month. I happily pay that out of pocket to save myself time.

However, much like how a younger version of myself asked why we had to learn math if the calculator does it for us, I know understand why we do that. I think the same thing applies here. If you don't know the fundamentals, you won't be effective. If GPT-4 had been around when I learned to write PHP (don't @ me!), I probably wouldn't understand the fundamentals as well as I do. I have the benefit of learning how to do it before it was a thing, and then benefitting from the new tool being available.

I also don't find the code quality to be any less, if anything what it spits out is a bit more polished (sometimes!).