Vibecoder vs Developers

I vibe coded since gpt 4/sonnet 3 via cursor and got a job at a local sub contractor o&g company. I converted multiple of their processes to paperless and digital solution (inventory system, a couple finance related systems, equipment/manpower tracking systems & now face recognition via existing cctv cameras) First few systems were built in Laravel through vibe coding with cincai UI. Now I'm mostly using react + supabase combo. I'm wondering if vibe coders can ever be a respectable job and how can we move further if this is a viable career path. For context I have no certificates except spm. Trying to find like minded people that I can connect with

In my opinion, vibecoders are developers—the difference lies in the approach, not the role itself. I am a vibecoder too. Traditional developers build by directly thinking through logic, functions, and writing code line by line. Vibecoders, on the other hand, must deeply understand each function, system behavior, and workflow in order to give precise instructions so that AI can correctly interpret and execute the build process.

A simple analogy is construction.
If someone builds a house alone, handling every step themselves, they are clearly a builder.
But in a company, there are workers and a boss. The boss gives instructions, plans the work, coordinates resources, and communicates with clients, while the workers execute the tasks. In the end, the credit and responsibility still fall on the boss, because they designed and managed the entire process.

What I’m trying to say is that vibecoders may not be experts in writing code manually, but they understand how systems are built, how to plan the construction process, and how to leverage tools (AI) effectively. Because of that, vibecoders are also deserving of being called developers

Are vibecoders “real” developers?

Kalau deliver benda yang guna pun tak dikira developer,
then Luffy pun bukan real pirate 😄

Personally, aku rasa vibecoding ada limit sikit:
• Kadang tak fully faham code
• Bila AI stuck, susah nak debug
• Security & architecture boleh terlepas pandang
• Output laju, tapi learning tak selalu ikut sama

Shipping value tu memang penting,
tapi best kalau tahu juga kenapa benda tu jalan dan apa jadi bila rosak.

Tools berubah. Tanggungjawab tak berubah.
Captain kena tahu bila kapal bocor.

If you can Develop Software, you are a Software Developer.

Whether you use Mac or Windows; VS Code or Atom Editor ; Cursor or Loveable; Figma or Canva;

AI is just a tool that you utilise to create your software.

A "Vibe Coder" who doesn't know how to build software may not be an actual Software Dev...

But if they can Vibe Code fully functional Apps, utilising Vie Coding frameworks that keep their software bug free,

Then they are Developers in the essence.

All that matters is the output, the final version, and houser friendly and beneficial the product is.

When you buy a house, you don't care who made it and what they used to make it.

All that matters, is that the house is functional, there are no leaks, everything is working.

Here's to the Vibe Tinkerers.

No vibing, no coding 😄

..............................(bcs body must be at least 30 char)