Code Llama vs GitHub Copilot

In the rapidly evolving landscape of software development, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly significant role in assisting businesses and developers in streamlining various tasks. These AI tools are proficient at automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, from code generation and testing to deployment and maintenance, allowing users to focus on more creative and high-value aspects of their work. Code Llama and GitHub Copilot are some of the tools that have garnered attention for their ability to help developers write code more efficiently. In this article, we will compare Code Llama and GitHub Copilot to help you understand which is better suited for your needs.

Aspect	Code Llama	GitHub Copilot
Developer	Meta	GitHub and OpenAI
Training Data	Trained on code-specific datasets and code-related data.	Natural language text and source code from public repositories, such as GitHub
Language and Platform Support	Supports various programming languages, including Python, C++, Java, PHP, TypeScript, C#, and Bash	Supports a wide range of programming languages but may perform better in certain languages, such as Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, and Go
Model Sizes	Available in different sizes (7B, 13B, 34B parameters) and models “Code Llama – Python” and “Code Llama – Instruct”	Available in two plans: Copilot for Individuals Copilot for Businesses

What is Code Llama?

Code Llama is a specialized large language model (LLM) designed for generating and discussing code. It supports a wide range of programming languages, including Python, C++, Java, PHP, TypeScript, C#, and Bash, making it versatile for developers working in different programming ecosystems. It is available in three different model sizes: 7B, 13B, and 34B parameters. These different sizes cater to varying serving and latency requirements. There are specialized variants, such as “Code Llama – Python” and “Code Llama – Instruct,” designed for specific coding tasks and instruction-based interactions. It is a versatile model, which can be used across various sectors, including research, industry, open-source projects, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and businesses.

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot is an AI-pair programmer, which is powered by a generative AI model developed by GitHub, OpenAI, and Microsoft to assist developers in writing code more efficiently and effectively. It leverages a generative AI model that has undergone training on a varied dataset encompassing both natural language text and source code from publicly accessible sources, including GitHub repositories. It is available as an extension for popular integrated development environments (IDEs) such as Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, Neovim, and JetBrains IDEs, making it accessible to a wide range of developers.