The software development world is in constant turmoil, and a new term has emerged to describe a fundamental trend: vibe coding. Popularized by the advent of AI assistants like GitHub Copilot and Low-Code/No-Code platforms, this concept describes an approach where the developer focuses on intent ("the vibe") and lets the tool generate functional code. It's a method that prioritizes immediate results rather than mastery of the process. But is it a true advancement or a technical time bomb? To delve deeper into specific risks, check out our article on hidden costs and security risks or the one on the biggest vulnerabilities in vibe coding.
The democratization of software creation
Vibe coding's main strength is its ability to radically lower the barrier to entry. It allows anyone, from junior developer to product expert, to turn an idea into a functional software solution at a staggering speed.
The approach is simple: you describe in natural language what you want to achieve – "create an API to manage users with a name and email" – and the tools execute. This method shines in several areas:
Ultra-fast prototyping: It's now possible to build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in a few hours, rather than a few weeks. This is a decisive advantage for testing a market idea.
Increased accessibility: Non-technical profiles can now assemble software building blocks to automate tasks or create simple applications, without having to learn the complex syntax of a programming language.
Focus on the "what": The developer focuses on business goals ("what should the software do?") rather than implementation details ("how to write it?"). This allows staying aligned with value added for the end user.
In short, vibe coding embodies the promise of fluid and intuitive software creation, where the idea takes precedence over technicality.
Loss of control and invisible technical debt
However, this ease comes at a cost, and it's high. The price to pay for this "magic" is an almost total loss of control over code quality and structure. For a software engineer, this approach raises several critical red flags.
Code generated by "vibe" is often a black box. It works, but no one really knows how or why. This lack of fundamental understanding inevitably leads to serious problems:
Nightmarish maintenance: When a bug occurs, how do you debug it? The code wasn't designed according to a thoughtful architecture; it's an assembly of functional fragments without an overall vision. Maintaining or evolving it becomes a herculean and costly task.
Explosion of technical debt: Each feature added "by feel" is another brick in a building without foundations. The system quickly becomes fragile, impossible to optimize, and risky in terms of security, because potential vulnerabilities weren't anticipated by rigorous design.
The "magic code" syndrome: The developer loses competence. Instead of understanding fundamental principles of algorithms, architecture, or security, they learn to "talk" to a machine. The day the tool is no longer enough, they find themselves helpless.
By trying to go too fast, we build disposable solutions that aren't viable in the long term. This is the very antithesis of the principles of robustness, scalability, and maintainability that define software engineering. To understand how to get out of these problematic situations, read our guide on how to regain control when AI goes astray in your code.
A powerful tool that requires expert know-how
It would be wrong to reject vibe coding wholesale. Like any powerful new technology, its effectiveness depends on the hand that guides it. Vibe coding is not a substitute for the software engineer, but rather a new tool in their arsenal.
True value emerges when this approach is used with discernment and expertise:
For prototyping and experimentation: It's an unmatched tool for quickly validating hypotheses. A senior engineer can use it to sketch a solution, knowing that this code will need to be thrown away and rewritten properly if the idea is validated.
To automate boilerplate: An expert can delegate the generation of repetitive code with little intellectual value (forms, basic API routes, configurations) to focus on more complex problems like system architecture or performance optimization.
As an assistant, not a master: The experienced engineer uses generated code as a first draft. They review it, understand it, refactor it, and integrate it into a healthy and testable architecture. They maintain final control and ensure the result meets quality standards.
Vibe coding is an undeniable transformative force
It democratizes creation and accelerates innovation. However, it doesn't eliminate the need for solid technical expertise. Without knowledge of software foundations, without engineering discipline, and without an architectural vision, what begins as a productivity dream quickly transforms into a maintenance nightmare. The future doesn't belong to those who code "by feel", but to those who will know how to use these new tools to build, faster, better-designed software.