CodeGeeX is a large-scale multilingual code generation model with 13 billion parameters. It has been pre-trained on a substantial code corpus involving over 20 programming languages, making it well-equipped to handle diverse programming tasks [1,2].
Description
Notable Features of CodeGeeX include:
- Multilingual Code Generation: It can generate executable programs in several mainstream programming languages, including Python, C++, Java, JavaScript, Go, etc.
- Crosslingual Code Translation: It can automatically translate code snippets between different languages.
- Code Assistant: It can serve as a coding assistant, suggesting code in the current or following lines [3].
A dedicated Visual Studio Code extension is also available for this model, which supports four modes: Automatic mode, Interactive mode, Translation mode, and Prompt mode. These modes support automatic code generation, interaction for code solution generation based on a line of comment, code translation between languages, and customization based on your coding preferences.
CodeGeeX is open-source, meaning its code and model weights can be used for research purposes.
It’s important to note that the information provided from the internet references is insufficient to provide a more detailed review or walkthrough of CodeGeeX’s features and usage, as several pages could not be parsed, potentially due to language differences or inaccessible content. For more information, I recommend referring to the CodeGeeX Homepage or their GitHub repository.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-Precision Code Generation: CodeGeeX can generate high-precision code for mainstream programming languages like Python, C++, Java, JavaScript, and Go. Its performance on the HumanEval-X code generation task was superior to other open-source baseline models.
- Cross-Language Code Translation: CodeGeeX supports automatic translation of code snippets between different programming languages, achieving high accuracy rates in HumanEval-X code translation tasks.
- AI Coding Assistant: CodeGeeX has an AI coding assistant available as a VSCode plugin, allowing users to leverage its code generation capability. This plugin helps users write code and customize the code generation style and capability.
- Open Source: All code and model weights are open source, meaning that they can be used for research purposes.
- Custom Programming Assistant: Users can transform CodeGeeX into a custom programming assistant using its few-shot ability, i.e., by providing a few examples in the input, CodeGeeX can generate code imitating these examples [4].
- Smart Q&A Function: Code Gee X integrates a smart Q&A function in the coding environment, allowing users to ask questions directly without leaving the IDE.
Cons
- Requires Familiarity with AI-Based Code Generation: Developers who are not familiar with AI-based code generation might face a steep learning curve.
- Pricing: While there is a free version of CodeGeeX, there are also paid plans starting from $9 per month. Although this is not a con for everyone, some users might be deterred by the cost.
- Possible Limitations in Language Support: Despite supporting over 20 languages, there might be some languages or unique coding styles that CodeGeeX doesn’t fully support.
- Dependence on AI Processors: CodeGeeX was trained on Ascend 910 AI processors. While these processors are powerful, they might not be as widely accessible or familiar to many developers compared to other AI processors.
Ratings and Reviews
The service is designed to serve developers and teams that require an AI coding assistant to aid them in writing code or who wish to leverage it by hosting on-premise due to privacy considerations. It seems to be appreciated by users, with one review stating it “works like copilot, and it’s free now”. The tool received a rating of 5 out of 5 stars in the categories of ease, features, design, and support on SourceForge.
One of the key features of CodeGeeX is its “few-shot” learning ability. This means when a few examples are provided as extra prompts in the input, CodeGeeX imitates what has been done by these examples and generates similar code. This capability can be used to implement features such as code explanation, summarization, generation using specific coding styles, and more.
In terms of competitors, CodeGeeX can be compared with AiXcoder, Codeium, and Tabnine according to the information provided.
Lastly, CodeGeeX is developed by a company called AMiner, based in China.
How to use this app step by step
To use this tool, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Download the CodeGeeX plugin for VS Code. You can find it in the Visual Studio Code marketplace or download it directly from GitHub [5].
- After installation, you’ll need to register and log in. VSCode will prompt for this in the bottom right corner. Click on the prompt and complete the registration and login process in your browser.
- With the plugin installed and logged in, you can use it in several modes:
- Automatic Mode: When you stop typing, CodeGeeX will start generating code from your cursor’s position. After the code is generated, it will be displayed in grey. If you are satisfied with the result, press “Tab” to insert the generated code. If multiple candidates are generated, you can switch between them using “Alt/Option+[“ or ”]” and get new suggestions with “Alt/Option+N”.
- Interactive Mode: Activate this mode with “Ctrl+Enter”. CodeGeeX will generate multiple candidates and display them in a window on the right. Click “use code” above the candidate code to insert the result at your current cursor position.
- Translation Mode: Input or paste a piece of code in your current language’s text editor, select the code, and press “Ctrl+Alt+T” to activate translation mode. Select the target language for translation. CodeGeeX will automatically identify the language of the code in your current editor and perform the translation. Click “use code” above the translated result to insert the translated code into your file.
- Prompt Mode: This mode appears to provide prompts to help with coding. The exact usage details for this mode were not given in the provided information.
- Chat Feature: CodeGeeX plugin also has an “Ask CodeGeeX” module. You can ask it any questions you encounter during your coding process, right in the sidebar of VS Code.
In conclusion, CodeGeeX appears to be a robust AI tool for aiding in code generation, translation, and problem-solving in the development process.
Top 10 Best Alternatives
- GitHub Copilot: This AI coding assistant is powered by OpenAI and helps in suggesting code, comments, and even whole functions as you type.
- Amazon CodeWhisperer: This assistant tool from Amazon uses artificial intelligence to help developers write code faster and more accurately.
- Tabnine: A code completion tool that employs generative AI technology to guess and suggest the next lines of code based on context and syntax.
- Replit: An online coding, learning, and hosting platform that uses AI to help developers write and debug their code.
- Sourcegraph Cody: A universal code search tool which uses AI to assist developers in finding references, definitions, and usages of functions and variables.
- AskCodi: This assistant tool aids developers in writing more efficient and safe code by using AI to suggest possible code edits and enhancements.
- Codiga: Codiga is a code review and code quality tool that uses AI to analyze your source code, identify problems, and provide actionable feedback.
- Bugasura: This AI tool helps developers in debugging their code by identifying and flagging potential errors and issues.
- CodeWP: An AI coding assistant that is particularly beneficial for WordPress developers. It uses AI to suggest code snippets and offer tips for improving WordPress development practices.
- AI Helper Bot: This is a useful tool for automating coding tasks. It leverages AI to assist in code writing and debugging, which can significantly improve productivity and code quality.
Conclusion
CodeGeeX is a large-scale multilingual code generation model that supports more than 20 programming languages. It has been trained with 13 billion parameters using the Huawei MindSpore framework and Ascend 910 AI processors, one of the most powerful AI processors globally.
We hope this review was helpful to you!
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