Syllabus: GS3/ S&T
In Context
- In February 2025, OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy coined a new term called “Vibe Coding”.
What is Vibe Coding?
- Definition: Vibe coding is an intuitive, prompt-driven approach to software development, where users interact with LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT, Cursor, or Sonnet to generate and debug code without deep programming expertise.
- Vibe coding emphasizes ‘feeling the vibes’ over structured programming logic, making it especially suited for low-risk, creative, or personal projects where precision isn’t the primary concern.
- Working: The user types a plain-language prompt describing the feature or tool they want.
- The AI generates code and suggests improvements or fixes.
- The user copies, pastes, and runs the code with minimal engagement in debugging or understanding.
Advantages of Vibe Coding
- Accessibility for Non-Programmers: Allows creatives, entrepreneurs, and students to build apps or websites without formal training.
- Boosts Creativity & Experimentation: Encourages rapid prototyping and iterative testing.
- Exposes new users to different programming languages and concepts.
- Time-Saving for Developers: Helps seasoned developers automate repetitive tasks, debug small issues, or draft boilerplate code quickly.
- Gateway to Learning: Serves as a stepping stone for beginners to transition into serious coding by sparking curiosity.
Disadvantages and Concerns
- Code Quality & Efficiency: AI may generate bloated, inefficient, or redundant code.
- Results often lack optimization, making maintenance harder and more expensive.
- Security Risks: AI-generated code might introduce vulnerabilities, especially if users don’t review it.
- Loss of Understanding: Vibe coders often don’t understand the code they use, making future editing or scaling difficult.
- “Accept All” culture (blindly accepting changes) increases risk.
- Ethical and Legal Issues: Raises concerns of plagiarism, especially in hackathons or job applications.
- Unsuitable for Critical Applications: Not fit for enterprise, medical, financial, or industrial-grade systems that require precision and reliability.
Will Vibe Coding Replace Traditional Programming?
- Though, AI coding tools are advancing rapidly, they:
- Lack deep contextual understanding
- Struggle with long-term maintainability
- Are still experimental and error-prone
Source: TH
