02. ChatGPT Basics

Throughout this Basics Guide, we'll be using ChatGPT, one of the most popular and accessible AI chatbots.

ChatGPT's user interface features a clean, conversation-style layout where you can type prompts and receive AI-generated responses.

ChatGPT is known for its versatility and ease of use, supporting a wide range of tasks from simple queries to complex problem-solving.

ChatGPT is a great starting point for learning and experimenting with AI models.

Let's walk through setting up ChatGPT and demonstrate its uses for a variety of tasks,

...from simple queries to more advanced applications like summarizing articles and solving math problems.

Set up ChatGPT

Navigate to https://chat.openai.com
Create an account.
Log in with this account.

Mobile Setup: You can also download the ChatGPT app from your device's app store.

Try Out Some Prompts with ChatGPT

Now that you've set up ChatGPT, let's try out a few prompts for simple and more advanced tasks.

Note: A prompt is the input or instruction given to an AI model to generate a response.

Keep in mind that prompt can be a verb or a noun.

Simple Query: Color of Grass

What color is grass?

Grass is green.

Summarizing an Article

Now, let's try something more practical: summarizing a paragraph. Say you're reading an article about snowfall in Florida and want to quickly grasp the main points.

This paragraph is from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_in_Florida


            Summarize this paragraph in a single sentence: It is very rare for snow to fall in the U.S. state of Florida, especially in the central and southern portions of the state. Except for the far northern areas of the state, most of the major cities in Florida have never recorded measurable snowfall, though trace amounts have been recorded, or flurries in the air observed a few times each century. According to the National Weather Service, in the Florida Keys and Key West, there is no known occurrence of snow flurries since the European colonization of the region more than 300 years ago. In Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach there has been only one known report of snow flurries observed in the air in more than 200 years; this occurred in January 1977. In any event, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach have not seen snow flurries before or since this 1977 event.

Snowfall is extremely rare in Florida, except for the far northern areas, and only one instance of snow flurries in the air has been recorded in the major cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach in the last 200 years.

Caution!
Your result may differ slightly because ChatGPT's responses can vary. We'll explain why soon.

Solving Math Problems

ChatGPT can also solve math problems!

If I have 20 apples, eat three of them, and sell three more, how many do I have left?

If you have 20 apples and you eat three of them, you will have 20 - 3 = 17 apples left.

    After eating three apples (17 left), if you sell three more, you will have 17 - 3 = 14 apples left.

It's that simple! ChatGPT can handle both basic and more advanced math problems

Best Practices for Prompting ChatGPT

1. Be specific and clear
2. Structure your prompts
3. Include necessary context
4. Use few-shot examples
5. Iterate and refine

1. Be specific and clear:
Instead of vague prompts like "Tell me about grass", try:

Analyze the characteristics of grass
in temperate regions, focusing on: 

            - Typical color variations by season 

            - Average height 

            - Common species 
Format the response as bullet points.

Tips for clear prompts:
- Use clear action verbs
(analyze, explain, summarize, list)
- Specify the desired format
- Include relevant context
- Define any constraints

2. Structure your prompts:

Context: Analyzing a scientific research paper 


          Task: Create a summary 

          
          Constraints: Maximum 100 words 

          
          Format: Use the following structure: 

          
          - Main finding 

          - Key methodology 

          - Implications

Tips for structuring prompts:
- Use prefixes to label different parts (Input:, Context:, Task:, Format:)
- Break complex requirements into numbered lists
- Specify output format explicitly

3. Include necessary context:

Context: I'm a high school teacher
preparing a lesson on photosynthesis 


          Audience: 10th-grade students 

          
          Task: Create an explanation of
photosynthesis that: 

          
          - Uses simple analogies 

          - Includes 3 key concepts 

          - Avoids technical jargon 

          Length: 2-3 paragraphs

4. Use few-shot examples:


          Convert these dates to ISO format. 
Follow these examples: 

          
          Input: March 15, 2024 

          
          Output: 2024-03-15 

          
          Input: December 31, 2023 

          
          Output: 2023-12-31 

          
          Now convert: January 1, 2025

5. Iterate and refine:

Start with clear, specific instructions
Use structured formatting with prefixes
Include relevant context and constraints
Provide examples when format is important
Iterate and refine based on responses
Break complex tasks into smaller steps

Conclusion

You should now be comfortable with what a prompt is
and how to do some basic prompting with ChatGPT.

Solving Common Issues

1. What if ChatGPT's response is too vague?

Rephrase your prompt to provide
more specific instructions.

2. What if ChatGPT misunderstands my question?

Break the task down into smaller parts

3. What if ChatGPT keeps repeating information?

Try adding constraints to your prompt

Next: 03. Introduction to Prompt Engineering