In the era of vibe coding, practical advice for those dreaming of becoming developers

Vibe Coding: The Illusions and Reality

In recent years, AI-based coding tools have rapidly gained popularity. Notably, the natural language-based coding method known as 'vibe coding' is so simple and intuitive that it gives the illusion that anyone can create apps or websites without any development knowledge. Content claiming 'all you need is an idea' and 'non-developers can create apps and generate income in just a month' is being mass-produced on YouTube and blogs, with many people showing interest and starting to experiment. But is that really the case? Can someone with no development skills actually create functional and polished software using just an idea? The reality hidden behind appealing examples and marketing content is much more complex than it seems. Implementing features and software development are fundamentally different stories, and an approach that overlooks this difference can lead to wasted time and resources.

The current position of Vibe Coding

Vibe Coding is undoubtedly an innovative tool. It drastically lowers the entry barrier for beginners learning to code and is very efficient for simple feature implementation or rapid prototype development. It provides a sufficient environment for non-developers, solo entrepreneurs, and junior developers to create something. In reality, the number of marketers, designers, planners, and others outside the development field using tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and no-code platforms to automate scripts or create small applications is steadily increasing. The message that 'you can start without knowing code' gives many the courage to take on challenges, which is a positive change. However, there is an important premise. Vibe Coding is a tool for 'starting something,' not yet a tool for 'creating high-quality products.'

The essence of software is architecture.

Real software is not simply a matter of implementing functionalities. Most services used in practice are composed of at least three layers: Client (frontend), Server (WAS), and Database. These three areas must consider not only the functionalities but also their connections, communication, security, and performance. Even when creating a simple to-do app, numerous decisions and coordination are required, such as login authentication, user-specific data storage, page routing, responsive UI, server API design, and DB schema configuration. This structural thinking of systems is referred to as architecture, and this is the essence of software. No matter how much Vibe Coding generates code automatically, if one cannot design, understand, and operate this architecture on their own, it is merely half-hearted development.

The Limitations of AI Coding and the Complexity of Practical Work

The real challenges of software development are not in the code itself. Rather, code is just a part of the entire system. The difficulties arise from the complex practical elements that follow the code, such as operational environments, deployment strategies, security configurations, incident response, test automation, log analysis, and performance optimization. Current vibe coding excels in generating functions or UI code in natural language, but there are clear limitations in areas such as: CI/CD pipeline setup: configuring automated build, test, and deployment environments. Cloud infrastructure management: setting up and integrating resources within cloud environments like AWS, GCP, and Azure. Security and authentication: handling sensitive processes like OAuth, JWT, and session management. Incident response and log analysis: core functions related to operational stability. Modularization and refactoring: design for maintainable structures. Vibe coding is a tool focused on 'creating code.' In contrast, practical development encompasses 'reliably configuring and operating systems.' This distinction can be a critical difference for those looking to pursue a career in development.

Senior developers and organizations are the real protagonists.

The true value of vibe coding is likely to be realized more by senior developers and practical teams. They already have an understanding of architecture and can actively utilize AI coding as a supportive tool to simplify complex code. It can be very helpful in automating complex repetitive tasks, quickly creating initial prototypes, refactoring existing legacy code, or swiftly preparing demos for customer presentations. Particularly at the organizational level, vibe coding makes it possible to reduce development speed and communication costs as a strategy. However, such utilization fundamentally requires the experience and structural thinking necessary to determine 'where and how to use it'.

Vibe coding is just a tool, not a substitute.

Vibe coding is undoubtedly a technology that opens the door to a new era. It is a powerful tool in that anyone can generate code in natural language and quickly implement ideas, making a significant contribution to lowering the barriers to technology entry. Even those without development experience can gain confidence by implementing operational features themselves, and for seniors or organizations, it helps reduce repetitive and unproductive tasks. However, despite these advantages, it is hard to see vibe coding as a replacement for 'developers' or 'software development as a whole.' This is because the current vibe coding still remains at the stage of 'function-level code generation' and does not encompass the context, structure, and environment in which those codes can operate. Regardless of how sophisticated the code itself is, designing and controlling the environment in which that code must be executed for a specific purpose is a task that stems from human thought and judgment.

Study Direction for Non-Developers and Junior Developers

The emergence of AI coding and vibe coding is certainly a good starting point for those who want to begin development. However, that alone cannot make one a practical developer. The existence of tools that automatically generate code does not mean that "there is less to study," but rather that "the direction of study has changed." We have entered an era that requires deeper understanding and critical thinking. If you are just starting to learn development or are a non-developer seeking to take on development, it is important to remember the following five directions. First, it is necessary to have an attitude of understanding the flow of the system. You should be able to visualize the flow where data starts from the user, goes through the client to reach the server, and then passes through the database to respond on the screen, rather than just creating a single feature. Second, you need to learn basic software architecture. It is essential to clearly understand what the three axes - Frontend (user interface), Backend (business logic), and Database (storage) - do and how they relate to each other. Third, you must experience the environment where the code is executed and operated. Fourth, you need to use AI tools critically. Fifth, it is important to have experiences of building and completing the whole thing, even if it is small. Vibe coding is not the end of studying it is merely a tool that helps you begin. Ultimately, what matters is how to utilize the tools, in what context to judge, and what standards can be used to enhance the level of completeness along with a fundamental attitude.

Look at the structure rather than the tools

Vibe coding is an innovative tool. However, software development is not just about code generation. The real development lies in looking at problems structurally, designing the entire system, and completing it in an operational form. While AI tools can assist in that process, they cannot replace it. What truly matters is not the tools, but the perspective, thinking skills, experience, and judgment to utilize them. As AI coding continues to evolve, developers will be expected to take on higher-level roles. The developer of the future will not just be someone who writes code well but will be someone who understands systems and solves problems. Therefore, what you, aspiring developers, need to do at this moment is to go beyond just creating a few lines of code with Vibe coding and make an effort to understand the structure within which that code exists. Development is still challenging, and that is why it is still a valuable endeavor. Those who are ready to create that value can still shine in the AI era.