### Introduction

The software development world is notorious for its stereotypes—one such stereotype being the dismissive or unhelpful responses from developers on online forums. To poke fun at this phenomenon, I created a chatbot named "10x-Helper." What sets it apart? The majority of its code was generated by ChatGPT. The bot serves up typical unhelpful and sarcastic responses to users. This blog post will delve into how ChatGPT was used to generate most of the code, which technologies were incorporated, and how the application works. Here's the [demo](https://www.miserablemillennial.com/10x-helper) for you to check out!

### The Technology Stack

- React: For crafting the front-end and interactive chat window.

- TypeScript: Used to add type safety, improving the codebase's maintainability.

- ChatGPT: Not just an inspiration but the primary code generator for this project.

### The Source Code

If you're a code enthusiast, here's where you'll find the source code. Most of this code was generated by ChatGPT, proving how AI can significantly speed up the development process.

```TypeScript

type ChatMessage = {
  id: number;
  type: "user" | "bot";
  content: string;
};

const getRandomUnhelpfulResponse = (): string => {
  const unhelpfulResponses: string[] = [
    "Did you even try to Google it?",
    "This question shows a lack of effort.",
    "Read the documentation.",
    "This question is a duplicate.",
    "This is basic stuff, you should know this.",
    "If you don't understand this, you shouldn't be programming.",
    "Seems like a homework question. We won't do your homework for you.",
    "Why would you want to do that? That's not the right way.",
    "Clearly, you haven't done your research.",
    "Not a real problem.",
    "This is trivial to implement.",
    "That's not how you should approach this.",
    "You're thinking about it all wrong.",
    "That's a waste of time.",
    "Don't bother with that approach.",
    "Not worth discussing.",
    "You're missing the point.",
  ];

  const randomIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * unhelpfulResponses.length);
  return unhelpfulResponses[randomIndex] + "\n" + "Discussion closed.";
};

const ChatWindow: React.FC = () => {
  const [message, setMessage] = useState<string>("");
  const [chatHistory, setChatHistory] = useState<ChatMessage[]>([
    { id: 0, type: "bot", content: "Hello, how can I assist you today?" },
  ]);
  const [enabled, setEnabled] = useState<boolean>(true);

  useEffect(() => {
    scrollToBottom();
  }, [chatHistory]);

  const chatRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
  const scrollToBottom = () => {
    if (chatRef.current) {
      chatRef.current.scrollTop = chatRef.current.scrollHeight;
    }
  };

  const handleSendMessage = () => {
    if (!enabled) {
      return;
    }
    const userMessage: ChatMessage = {
      id: chatHistory.length,
      type: "user",
      content: message,
    };

    // Immediately add user's message to chat history
    setChatHistory((prev) => [...prev, userMessage]);

    // Prepare for bot's message
    const botResponse = getRandomUnhelpfulResponse();
    let charIndex = 0;

    // Initialize with '...' to signify the bot is typing
    setChatHistory((prev) => [
      ...prev,
      { id: prev.length + 1, type: "bot", content: "..." },
    ]);

    // Create a function that will be called to simulate typing
    const simulateBotTyping = () => {
      setChatHistory((prev) => {
        const newHistory = [...prev];
        if (charIndex < botResponse.length) {
          newHistory[newHistory.length - 1].content = botResponse.slice(
            0,
            charIndex + 1,
          );
          charIndex++;
        }
        return newHistory;
      });

      if (charIndex >= botResponse.length) {
        clearInterval(botTypingInterval);
      }
    };

    // Schedule the simulateBotTyping function to run every 100ms
    const botTypingInterval = setInterval(simulateBotTyping, 100);

    setMessage("");
    setEnabled(false);
  };

  return (
    <Box
      sx={{
        display: "flex",
        gap: "1em",
        flexDirection: "column",
        width: "100%",
        minHeight: "65vh",
        overflow: "hidden",
      }}
    >
      <Paper
        ref={chatRef}
        sx={{
          flexGrow: 1,
          flexDirection: "column",
          display: "flex",
          overflow: "scroll",
        }}
      >
        <List
          sx={{
            flexGrow: 1,
          }}
        >
          {chatHistory.map((msg, index) => (
            <ListItem key={index}>
              <ListItemText
                primary={
                  <Typography
                    sx={{
                      backgroundColor:
                        msg.type === "user" ? "#e0f7fa" : "#e0e0e0",
                      borderRadius: "12px",
                      padding: "8px",
                    }}
                    align={msg.type === "user" ? "right" : "left"}
                  >
                    {msg.content}
                  </Typography>
                }
              />
            </ListItem>
          ))}
        </List>
      </Paper>
      <Paper
        sx={{
          display: "flex",
          padding: "8px",
          gap: "1em",
          width: "100%",
          height: "100%",
        }}
      >
        <TextField
          fullWidth
          disabled={!enabled}
          variant="outlined"
          value={message}
          onChange={(e) => setMessage(e.target.value)}
          onKeyDown={(e) => {
            if (e.key == "Enter" && enabled) {
              handleSendMessage();
              e.preventDefault();
            }
          }}
        />
        <Button
          variant="contained"
          color="primary"
          onClick={handleSendMessage}
          disabled={!enabled}
        >
          Send
        </Button>
      </Paper>
    </Box>
  );
};

export default function Page() {
  return (
    <>
      <Container
        sx={{
          display: "flex",
          flexDirection: "column",
          alignItems: "center",
          justifyContent: "center",
          width: "80vw",
          minHeight: "70vh",
          maxHeight: "70vh",
        }}
      >
        <ChatWindow />
      </Container>
    </>
  );
}
```

### How It Works



#### ChatGPT's Role in Code Generation

The chatbot is unique because ChatGPT generated most of its code. From structuring the chat interface to implementing the feature where the bot appears to type in real-time, ChatGPT had a significant role in accelerating the development process. I merely made minor tweaks now and then



#### Chat Interface

I utilized a, GPT generated, React functional component called ChatWindow as the cornerstone for managing the state of both user and bot messages. The Material UI framework was used for designing the UI components like the chat window, the message input area, and the send button. The Snarky Responses

The bot's pre-defined sarcastic replies are stored in a string array named unhelpfulResponses. When it's time for the bot to answer, the function getRandomUnhelpfulResponse() selects one of these quips at random.

#### The Typing Simulation

To enhance the realism of the bot, a typing simulation was added. When a user submits a message, a "..." appears, signaling that the bot is typing. The message then unfolds one character at a time.


#### Disabling User Interaction

To further the realistic feel, the application disables user interaction while the bot is "typing." This ensures the user can't send more messages until the bot finishes its snarky reply.

### Challenges and Limitations

The main limitation is that the bot's responses are static and pre-defined. While ChatGPT was instrumental in code generation, the bot doesn't employ real-time text generation for its responses. But remember, this limitation is by design—the bot is meant to be satirically unhelpful.

### Conclusion

The 10x-Helper chatbot serves as both a humorous take on a common stereotype in the tech world and an example of how AI-generated code can accelerate development. By using React, TypeScript, and primarily ChatGPT for code generation, the application highlights how AI and traditional coding can come together to create something uniquely entertaining and thought-provoking.

Don't forget to experience the satire yourself with the 10x-Helper Demo.

When Stack Overflow Meets ChatGPT: The Ultimate Chatbot

Ah, the allure of horoscopes! Who doesn't love being told that they're "entering a phase of great personal growth" or that they should "avoid making any big decisions during the Mercury retrograde?" Horoscopes have fascinated mankind for centuries, offering a daily dose of cryptic, yet oddly resonating, life advice.

But what's the magic behind horoscopes? How can they seemingly pinpoint the unique experiences and feelings we're going through? The answer lies in the art of Barnum statements.


## What Are Barnum Statements?

Barnum statements are generic and broad phrases designed to resonate with a large number of people. In other words, they're statements so universally applicable that almost anyone would find them accurate or enlightening. This is the secret sauce that makes horoscopes so captivating.
Some Classic Examples:

```
"You have a strong desire for a better life, yet often feel overwhelmed by obstacles."
"You have a great deal of unused capacity that you have not yet turned to your advantage."
"While you have some personality weaknesses, you are generally able to compensate for them."
```

These statements could apply to just about anyone on the planet, but when read in the context of a personalized horoscope, they suddenly feel like the celestial bodies have aligned just to give you some tailored life advice.
Becoming Terrible at Code Reviews Using Barnum Statements

Now, the time has come to apply this ancient wisdom to a sacred art that has perplexed many a developer: the code review. How can you, too, become terrible at this esteemed practice? Just apply the principle of Barnum statements to your comments! Here's how you can do it:


## The Top 10 Barnum Statements for Code Reviews:

```
"Great effort, but this code could benefit from a bit more optimization."
    Applicable in any scenario. Optimization is always a goal, isn't it?

"This code is mostly clean and clear, but it might be helpful to add a few more comments for better readability."
    Who doesn't love comments?

"The functionality is there, but have you considered making it more modular?"
    Ah, modularity, the panacea for all coding woes.

"The code works as expected, but it seems like there are some opportunities for refactoring."
    Refactoring: a programmer's eternal quest.

"Solid job on getting this to work! I feel like the implementation could be a bit more efficient though."
    Efficiency is always in style.

"The structure looks good, but I think the variable naming could be more descriptive."
    A classic. You can never go wrong with harping on variable names.

"Your logic is sound, but how would this scale with larger datasets?"
    Because scalability is a concern that every piece of code could potentially face.

"Nice job! I wonder if there's a way to make this code more reusable?"
    Reusability: a timeless concept.

"This is almost perfect; it just needs a few tweaks to really shine."
    "A few tweaks" is purposely vague, making this a perfect Barnum statement.

"You've clearly put in a lot of work here, but it might help to double-check for edge cases."
    Edge cases: the ever-elusive bogeymen of coding.
```

Using these statements in your code reviews, you'll create an atmosphere of vagueness and generalization that can drive any team to the edge of coding insanity. Soon enough, your peers will look at your comments the way people look at their daily horoscopes: with a sense of skepticism but a tiny hope that they might actually mean something.

So, if you've ever dreamt of being a less-than-stellar code reviewer while imbuing your reviews with an air of celestial mystique, now's your chance. Embrace the Barnum statement, and let the stars guide you to code review mediocrity.

Disclaimer: This post is tongue-in-cheek. Quality code reviews are crucial for effective teamwork and codebase maintenance. Please do not actually use Barnum statements for code reviews. Unless, of course, you want to become the subject of your team's next retro.