Microsoft Copilot for Developers: Can AI speed up your coding?

In recent years, the evolution of software development tools has led to the creation of increasingly advanced solutions to support developers in their daily tasks. Among these, Copilot stands out as an AI-powered assistant designed to enhance productivity and simplify the coding process.

Thanks to its ability to understand context and generate intelligent suggestions, Copilot is not only a tool to speed up work but also an ally for learning new technologies and tackling complex challenges.

In this article, we will explore Copilot’s key features, the benefits it offers, and the most common use cases in the software development world.

Microsoft Copilot for Developers: introduction

Software developers know how challenging and rewarding it can be to create innovative solutions that solve real-world problems. But they are also well aware of how time-consuming and tedious it can be to write, debug, and properly maintain code.

Software development is, by nature, the art of meeting requirements and delivering results as quickly as possible, with the fewest errors and the highest level of utility or reusability of the written code. Every developer dreams of achieving this goal at every stage of coding, and perhaps Microsoft Copilot could be the key to making it happen.

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that, among many other things, helps programming professionals write code based on natural language prompts, comments, or method names.

It can generate code for various languages, frameworks, and domains by leveraging the power of OpenAI Codex and GitHub's vast code repository. Additionally, it can suggest relevant code snippets, documentation, and best practices as you write.

A developer using Copilot has the opportunity to collaborate, test, receive real-time suggestions, and at the same time, adhere to coding standards and predefined patterns. This could be the starting point for a new era of development. But for now, let's focus on the present and explore some of the key features of Microsoft Copilot that could transform the way software is developed today.

What is Microsoft Copilot (and GitHub Copilot)?

Before diving into our overview, let’s take a moment to introduce the main topic of this article in a broader sense, for those who may have missed some recent developments or are not yet familiar with Microsoft’s AI-powered digital assistant.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered chat service that integrates with various Microsoft applications and services to enhance users’ efficiency and productivity.

Microsoft Copilot utilizes OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o and DALL-E 3, along with Microsoft’s proprietary Prometheus model. The details of Prometheus are considered confidential by Microsoft, making it difficult to compare its architecture with other tools. According to the company, the model does not generate content autonomously but focuses on improving efficiency and ensuring that searches and queries comply with privacy guidelines while providing the most relevant information.

Copilot generates content, offers suggestions, and automates tasks to support users of various Microsoft technologies, such as Windows, Microsoft 365, and GitHub. Microsoft continues to develop new features and integrations for Copilot.

From the perspective of end users interacting with Windows and Microsoft productivity applications, there are three versions of Copilot:

• Microsoft Copilot: A lightweight, free edition available to users of Windows, Microsoft Edge, or the Bing website. It is suitable for general users and small businesses looking for AI-powered assistance without deep workflow integration.
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• Copilot Pro: Designed for advanced users, it provides priority access to the latest AI models during peak usage periods, with faster response times than the free version. It also includes Image Creator from Designer, previously known as Bing Image Creator.
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• Microsoft 365 Copilot: Available as an add-on for Office applications within Microsoft 365 through Business Standard, Business Premium, or Enterprise plans. It leverages business data and other internal sources to provide specific and detailed responses.

As an AI assistant, Copilot’s main advantage lies in improving work productivity and overall efficiency. A significant part of Microsoft’s marketing strategy emphasizes the time saved in executing various tasks and workflows.

Copilot enhances productivity by automating repetitive tasks, such as drafting standard emails or summarizing documents, allowing users to focus on more critical work. Beyond productivity gains, Copilot can suggest new ideas, formats, and content based on context and user preferences. It also helps improve communication by quickly composing emails or critical Teams messages and simplifying workflows within Microsoft 365 applications.

Additionally, there are various Copilot versions designed for specific Microsoft tools. For example, there are Copilot solutions integrated into Microsoft Dynamics for sales and customer service teams, as well as security-focused Copilot solutions integrated into Microsoft Purview.

A key distinguishing feature of Copilot is its extensive integration and overall connectivity within Microsoft’s enterprise technologies. Users can also develop familiarity with Copilot through its various integrations, applying acquired skills across different technologies.

Recently, Microsoft has started launching and updating a series of industry-specific "Agents" for sectors such as finance, customer service, and marketing, with specialized training and functionalities tailored to these fields.

In October 2024, Microsoft also announced several new features for Copilot. For instance, Copilot Voice enables users to input commands by speaking to a device, with responses provided in audio format instead of just text. Copilot Vision, on the other hand, tracks web browsing activities in Microsoft Edge, providing suggestions, answering questions, and conducting searches based on content and user interactions. Users can enable or disable Copilot Vision as needed.

Microsoft offers users the opportunity to test Copilot Vision’s features and other developments still in progress through Copilot Labs. This tool serves as a hub for Copilot’s experimental features and allows users to provide feedback.

Although many Windows 11 users were initially skeptical when Microsoft began focusing on Copilot, the service has grown significantly since its first preview and is now regarded as one of the best productivity tools in the AI era.

GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is the world's most widely used AI-powered development tool and a highly specialized subset of the Microsoft Copilot family. Backed by industry-leading AI experts and designed with enterprise security and compliance needs in mind, GitHub Copilot offers advantages for both developers and businesses:

• It helps developers solve common programming problems up to 55% faster, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks and deliver better products and services.
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• It keeps data secure with Microsoft's trusted Azure infrastructure.
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• It filters code suggestions through multiple layers of control, including a toxicity filter, a code quality filter, and optional reference code filters.

GitHub Copilot is the AI development tool that developers request by name. Hiring and onboarding top developers is expensive, and burnout and turnover are ongoing challenges.

Not only does Copilot help developers keep up with evolving technology and boost their productivity, but research shows that most developers using GitHub Copilot feel more satisfied with their work and less frustrated when coding. This can result in lower attrition rates and reduced hiring and onboarding costs.

GitHub Copilot continues to be widely used and is constantly evolving to support developers with new features. Recently, at the GitHub Universe 2024 event, significant updates were announced, including integration with AI models from multiple providers such as Anthropic and Google, enabling developers to choose the model that best suits their needs.

Additionally, new capabilities, such as multi-file editing based on natural language prompts and instant feedback during code reviews, are significantly improving efficiency and user experience.

Microsoft Copilot for Developers: key features

Copilot aims to enhance developers' productivity and job satisfaction through a set of advanced tools.

Far from being a replacement for a human, as some might think, Microsoft’s Gen AI solution is designed to support developers and coding professionals in their work. While they will always have the final responsibility of delivering high-quality code to their users and clients, they now have an ally to assist them with the more tedious and repetitive aspects of their tasks.

Less experienced users will also be able to tackle unfamiliar programming languages or new applications with greater confidence, creating customizable business solutions to improve existing software, including products like Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Copilot offers a range of key features to help developers write and edit code with greater accuracy. Here are the main ones.

Code autocompletion

Copilot suggests code snippets as the user types, based on the project’s context. This feature not only speeds up the programming process by eliminating the need to type repetitive or complex code but also reduces the risk of human errors. It is particularly useful for routine tasks and for quickly implementing standard functions.

Natural language understanding

With Copilot, developers can write commands or describe what they need in natural language without having to know every technical detail of the programming language in use. For example, they can request the implementation of a complex function simply by describing it in plain words, leaving Copilot to translate it into code.

Automatic adaptation to coding style

Copilot analyzes the user's coding style—including function structures, naming conventions, and overall formatting—to generate suggestions that align with the project's established style. This helps maintain high standards and uniform code, especially in large development teams.

Error detection and correction

Copilot can identify potential errors in the code, such as bugs, syntax errors, or logical mistakes, and suggest appropriate fixes. This feature significantly reduces debugging time, allowing developers to focus on more strategic aspects of their projects instead of manually searching for errors in the code.

Pair programming assistance

Copilot acts as a virtual programming partner, offering real-time suggestions as the user writes. This feature not only improves overall efficiency but also enables developers to learn new techniques and programming approaches through AI-generated recommendations. It is particularly useful for junior developers or those learning new languages or frameworks.

Customization options

Copilot can be configured to meet the specific needs of each developer or project. Users can customize how the AI generates suggestions, selecting settings that align with their workflow, business context, or project style guidelines. This flexibility enhances efficiency and makes the AI a highly adaptable tool for various scenarios.

Microsoft Copilot for Developers: What are the benefits?

Everything seems great so far, but what are the concrete benefits of implementing Copilot for software development assistance?

There are several, and for brevity, we will list only the main advantages of using Microsoft’s AI-powered digital assistant below.

Time management

Although traditional development methods include collaboration, programmers often have to use multiple tools, leading to time losses due to switching between different platforms. With Copilot for Microsoft 365, developers can directly involve necessary leaders and architects on the same platform, including code corrections even during virtual meetings.

Integration with Microsoft Teams

When assistance is needed to fix a critical part of the code, Copilot in Teams allows developers to quickly initiate inline chats with supervisors or leaders. This approach provides immediate attention and increases the likelihood of a quick resolution, overcoming the usual waiting times of separate chats or traditional procedures.

Smarter coding

Developers prefer to focus on solutions rather than typing code and syntax. Copilot simplifies the process by offering real-time suggestions for automatic code completion. For example, when a developer types a function line, Copilot quickly analyzes it and suggests the necessary lines for that scenario, making the process more seamless and flexible.

Intelligent suggestions

Thanks to this feature, developers can spend less time on repetitive or mundane tasks and focus more on developing high-quality solutions. This approach not only simplifies coding but also ensures adherence to predefined company standards, learned through machine learning algorithms.

Seamless integration

For an experienced developer, using an existing platform is easier than completely switching to a new one. Copilot allows smooth integration, even in legacy environments, avoiding issues related to missing available APIs and dependencies on other platforms.

Extensibility model for Microsoft Copilot 365

For instance, when developing features for a ticketing system like ServiceNow, Copilot simplifies integration with existing platforms through built-in APIs. The developer can quickly select the necessary plugin, integrate the code, and proceed with exports, imports, and validations. More than 50 plugins are available in early access programs, including Atlassian, Adobe, and ServiceNow.

Secure testing

Traditionally, developers required independent testing platforms and had no guarantees about code security. Microsoft 365 Copilot includes an automated testing feature that not only ensures code quality but also verifies compliance with security standards, identifying and fixing potential vulnerabilities. For example, Copilot helps meet standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, offering significant benefits during the pre-production testing phase.

Simplified training

Developers often need to update their skills to meet future demands. Microsoft 365 Copilot offers a convenient solution, allowing developers to learn directly within the platform through specific examples and code snippets. It is an effective method to acquire new logic and algorithms in existing languages and introduce new language modules. This approach reduces the costs of implementing separate learning infrastructures while motivating the team to improve their skills.

Code review and collaboration

Copilot helps developers stay focused on project goals by providing relevant suggestions that prevent deviations in the early stages. Proactive suggestions enhance code quality and help identify potential issues, especially when using old code sets to develop new features. This approach ensures optimal control over time and quality—two fundamental pillars for the success of any project.

Microsoft Copilot for Developers: Is there proof of the results?

Maybe you're more of a numbers person, so let’s provide some figures.

So far, Microsoft Copilot has received positive feedback from developers, and a recent study found that programming tasks performed with Copilot were completed 55% faster, with a 7% increase in project completion rates.

These improvements in completion speed translate into significant benefits for software development projects, which are finalized with greater accuracy. This benefits customers by allowing them to initiate crucial phases such as internal testing, training, and solution adoption within the organization more quickly.

What are the conclusions? Microsoft Copilot is not just a solution aimed at improving working conditions for those operating in the corporate world; it also presents itself as a powerful tool for software developers, offering numerous advantages to coding professionals in their daily tasks.

From code suggestions to review and maintaining standards, Copilot can radically transform the way developers work. This not only enhances existing development methods but also lays the foundation for future advancements in the software development industry.

Furthermore, it can serve as a motivational factor for developers, encouraging them to learn and grow within the platform itself while minimizing the need to rely on external tools for integration and testing.

Overall, Copilot helps save time and resources while ensuring higher code quality throughout the entire development lifecycle—all within a single integrated solution. So why not try it out and see if it could be the right solution for your journey in software development?

FAQ on Microsoft Copilot for developers

What is the difference between Microsoft Copilot and GitHub Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is a general AI assistant that integrates with various Microsoft platforms, including Windows and Microsoft 365, while GitHub Copilot is specifically designed for software development. The latter provides code suggestions, error corrections, and speeds up developers’ work by integrating directly with development environments.

How does GitHub Copilot work?

GitHub Copilot automatically suggests code snippets while the user is typing by analyzing the project’s context. It can interpret natural language prompts and adapt to the user’s coding style, continuously improving its assistance capabilities.

Does Copilot support all programming languages?

Yes, Copilot supports various programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C#, and many more. However, the level of support varies depending on the training data and the language’s adoption.

Can Copilot generate code entirely on its own?

No, Copilot is an assistant and does not replace developers. The generated code should always be reviewed and adjusted to ensure quality, security, and compliance with project standards.

What are the main benefits of using Copilot for software development?

Copilot accelerates the coding process, reduces errors, maintains high-quality standards, and helps developers learn new languages and frameworks. It also assists with debugging and acts as a virtual programming companion, providing optimal solutions while coding.

Is Copilot safe to use in enterprise environments?

Yes, Copilot uses Microsoft Azure infrastructure to ensure data security and compliance with industry standards. However, organizations should evaluate whether the tool aligns with their internal security policies.

Can Copilot integrate enterprise-specific functionalities?

Yes, Microsoft Copilot 365 offers plugins and API integrations for enterprise tools such as ServiceNow, Atlassian, and Adobe. This allows companies to customize Copilot’s functionality and streamline their workflows.

Can Copilot be used in Microsoft Teams for software development?

Yes, Copilot integrates with Microsoft Teams, allowing developers to collaborate in real time, discuss code, and receive suggestions directly in chats or meetings, making it easier to solve critical issues without switching platforms.

Does Copilot improve over time?

Yes, Copilot learns from the user’s coding style and feedback, continuously refining its suggestions and adapting to individual and organizational preferences.

How much does Microsoft Copilot cost?

Microsoft offers different versions of Copilot. GitHub Copilot is available as a monthly subscription for individual developers and businesses, while Microsoft Copilot includes a free version, a Pro version with advanced features, and a Microsoft 365 Copilot integration for enterprise use.

Can Copilot be used to write code in regulated environments (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS)?

Yes, but the generated code should always be verified to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Copilot helps identify potential vulnerabilities and enhances security through automated testing features.

What impact does Copilot have on developers’ productivity?

Recent studies have shown that Copilot speeds up programming tasks by 55% and increases project completion rates by 7%. This allows developers to work more efficiently and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.

Will Copilot replace developers in the future?

No, Copilot is designed to assist developers, not replace them. It is a support tool that enhances productivity, but the responsibility for code quality remains in the hands of professionals.