Investigating Developers' Preferences for Learning and Issue Resolution Resources in the ChatGPT Era

TL;DR

This study surveys developers to understand how ChatGPT and AI chatbots influence their learning preferences and problem-solving approaches, revealing a shift towards interactive, personalized resources alongside traditional tutorials.

Contribution

It provides empirical insights into developers' evolving preferences for learning resources in the ChatGPT era, highlighting the complementary and substitutive roles of AI chatbots.

Findings

Video tutorials remain highly preferred for comprehensive learning

AI chatbots are seen as potential replacements for written tutorials

AI chatbots are increasingly used as supplements to video tutorials

Abstract

The landscape of software developer learning resources has continuously evolved, with recent trends favoring engaging formats like video tutorials. The emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT presents a new learning paradigm. While existing research explores the potential of LLMs in software development and education, their impact on developers' learning and solution-seeking behavior remains unexplored. To address this gap, we conducted a survey targeting software developers and computer science students, gathering 341 responses, of which 268 were completed and analyzed. This study investigates how AI chatbots like ChatGPT have influenced developers' learning preferences when acquiring new skills, exploring technologies, and resolving programming issues. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, we explore whether AI tools supplement or replace traditional learning resources such as video tutorials, written tutorials, and Q&A forums. Our findings reveal a nuanced view: while video tutorials continue to be highly preferred for their comprehensive coverage, a significant number of respondents view AI chatbots as potential replacements for written tutorials, underscoring a shift towards more interactive and personalized learning experiences. Additionally, AI chatbots are increasingly considered valuable supplements to video tutorials, indicating their growing role in the developers' learning resources. These insights offer valuable directions for educators and the software development community by shedding light on the evolving preferences toward learning resources in the era of ChatGPT.