Linus Torvalds Endorses Vibe Coding for Beginners, Warns Against Use in Production
Linus Torvalds, the Linux kernel maintainer, has expressed support for ‘vibe coding’ as an accessible way for newcomers to get started with programming, while cautioning against its use in production environments due to maintenance concerns. During an interview at the Linux Foundation Open Source Summit in Seoul, Torvalds emphasized that while vibe coding can be a valuable entry point into computing, it is unsuitable for long-term maintenance of real-world software.
He noted that today’s computing environment has grown significantly more complex than when he first learned to code by typing in programs from computer magazines. Torvalds also mentioned that his role has evolved from rejecting new ideas to advocating for them, despite resistance from traditional maintainers who may be resistant to change. Additionally, he discussed the growing impact of AI on kernel development, including the challenges posed by AI crawlers that collect data from kernel.org and the resulting influx of fabricated bugs and security notices.
The kernel maintainer expressed that Rust is becoming an increasingly integral part of the Linux kernel, moving away from its experimental phase. However, he acknowledged that AI-driven tools have disrupted kernel infrastructure by gathering data from kernel.org, which has led to an increase in false bug reports and security notices. While the issue is less severe compared to projects like curl, it remains a significant concern for the open-source community.
Torvalds’ remarks highlight the evolving landscape of software development, particularly within the open-source community, as new technologies and methodologies continue to shape the way programmers approach coding and maintenance. His comments underscore the importance of balancing innovation with the practical demands of maintaining large-scale software systems.