When you didn’t catch GitHub Universe, you might need missed the announcement of a brand new Xcode plug-in that “formally” brings Copilot into Xcode.
It’s true that we’ve had plugins like this for some time. You would possibly even assume that the official GitHub plugin appears carefully associated to Shx Guo’s plugin that I linked to final 12 months. It looks as if GitHub did the precise factor, although, earlier than you get the pitchforks out!
So, which is best: Copilot built-in into Xcode or Xcode’s Predictive Code Completion mannequin? I learn Cristina Poncela Cubeiro’s comparability of each instruments, and she or he places Copilot because the clear winner. The 2 instruments take a totally completely different strategy to the issue, with Xcode’s mannequin working domestically, in fact, however they’re shut sufficient that they should be in contrast.
I wrote about my expertise with Xcode’s predictive completion a number of weeks in the past after working with it for a number of hours, and I favored it. Nonetheless, since writing that, I have to admit I’ve switched the function off. It wasn’t fairly ok, and it slowed me down extra typically than it speeded me up. Like Cristina, I discover the alternative with Copilot.
After all, the Xcode plugin mannequin is way from very best, and Apple will at all times have the benefit with regards to IDE integration. That stated, the Visible Studio Code Swift plugin continues to enhance, and Copilot may be very a lot at dwelling in that atmosphere.
However that’s not all that’s occurring over on the Visible Studio Code aspect of issues! I lately found Sweetpad, whose authors are placing much more work into bringing Apple platform growth into that editor.
Lastly, I’ve not but had an opportunity to attempt Cursor myself however it’s additionally turning some heads as an AI-integrated fork of Visible Studio Code. I first got here throughout it from Rudrank Riyam’s set of articles, however it additionally bought a point out this week in this current put up from Thomas Ricouard. It’s best to learn all that when you’re seeking to discover how AI can assist you write apps.
The long run is vibrant when you’re on board with AI code help!
Dave Verwer 