INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Why Software Engineering Matters in Web Applications: The Risks of Vibe Coding

Introduction

Nowadays, web applications are part of almost everything we do. We use them for online shopping, banking, learning, communication and even making payments. These applications make life easier, but have you ever wondered what happens when a web application is developed without proper planning or testing?

This is where software engineering comes in.

Software engineering is simply the process of planning, designing, developing, testing and maintaining software to make sure it works properly. It is not just about writing code. It is also about making sure that the software is secure, reliable and easy to use.

With the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), developers can now create applications faster using tools that generate code. This has introduced a practice called vibe coding. Although it makes coding easier, relying on it without understanding the code or following software engineering principles can create serious problems.

Why Is Software Engineering Important in Web Applications?

Software engineering is important because a web application needs to do more than just look good. It must also work properly and protect the people using it.

Here are some reasons why it matters:

1. Security: Software engineering helps developers protect applications against security threats. This is especially important for websites that handle passwords, personal information and financial transactions.

2. Quality: It helps developers build applications that work correctly and give users a better experience.

3. Easy Maintenance: When code is properly arranged and documented, it becomes easier to correct errors and add new features.

4. Saves Time and Money: Finding problems early during development is better than waiting until the application is already being used by many people.

5. Better Performance: Proper planning helps applications perform well, even when many users are accessing them at the same time.

6. Teamwork: Software engineering makes it easier for developers, designers and testers to work together because everyone follows an organized process.

Understanding Vibe Coding

Vibe coding is a way of developing software by giving instructions to an AI tool using ordinary language. Instead of writing all the code manually, the developer explains what they want, and the AI generates the code.

For example, someone can tell an AI tool to create a school management website with a login page, student registration and a dashboard. The AI can generate the code needed for these features.

Some examples of AI coding tools are ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot.

This approach is useful because it saves time and helps beginners understand programming. However, the problem starts when developers accept everything AI produces without checking whether the code is correct or secure.

The Demerits and Dangers of Vibe Coding

Vibe coding may make development faster, but it also has some disadvantages.

1. Security Problems

AI can generate code with security weaknesses. If the developer does not check the code properly, attackers may find ways to access information they are not supposed to see.

1. Too Much Dependence on AI

Some developers may become so dependent on AI that they struggle to write or understand code on their own. This can affect their ability to solve programming problems.

1. Poor Code Structure

AI may generate code that works but is not properly organized. As the application grows, making changes can become difficult.

1. Hidden Errors

An application may look perfect on the screen but still contain errors behind the scenes. Without proper testing, these problems may only be discovered after users start using the application.

1. Privacy Risks

Developers may accidentally share sensitive information when entering instructions into AI tools. This can put private or company information at risk.

1. Difficulty Maintaining the Application

If a developer does not understand the code generated by AI, it may become difficult to fix problems or improve the application in the future.

What Happens When Web Applications Are Developed Without Software Engineering?

Developing a web application without following software engineering principles can lead to many problems.

For example:

• The application may stop working unexpectedly.
• Users' personal information may not be properly protected.
• The website may become slow when many people use it.
• Errors may be difficult to identify and correct.
• The application may become expensive to maintain.
• Users may lose trust in the application.

Imagine a developer building an online banking application without properly testing its security. If there are weaknesses in the system, customers' information and money could be put at risk.

This shows that developing an application is not just about making it work. It is also about making sure it works safely and correctly.

How Can Developers Use AI Properly?

I believe AI is a useful tool in software development, especially because it can help developers save time and learn new things. However, it should not replace the knowledge and responsibilities of a developer.

Developers should:

• Understand the code before using it.
• Check AI-generated code for errors.
• Test applications before releasing them.
• Follow proper security practices.
• Plan the application before starting development.
• Keep the code organized.
• Apply the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

AI should be used to assist developers, not to make every decision for them.

Conclusion

Software engineering plays a very important role in building web applications. It helps developers create applications that are secure, reliable, easy to maintain and suitable for users.

Vibe coding has made programming easier and faster, but it should not be used as an excuse to ignore proper software engineering practices. An application that looks good is not necessarily a good application if it is full of errors or security problems.

In my opinion, AI is a great assistant in software development, but it cannot replace the importance of understanding what we are building.

A good developer should not only focus on writing code quickly but also on making sure that the final application is safe, reliable and useful to the people who depend on it.