vibe-coding-cn/i18n/en/documents/Glue Coding/Glue Coding Methodology.md

Glue Coding Methodology

1. Definition of Glue Coding

Glue coding is a new type of software construction method, whose core idea is:

Almost entirely reusing mature open-source components, combining them into a complete system with minimal "glue code".

It emphasizes "connecting" rather than "creating", and is particularly efficient in the AI era.

2. Background

Traditional software engineering often requires developers to:

• Design architecture
• Write logic themselves
• Manually handle various details
• Reinvent the wheel

This leads to high development costs, long cycles, and low success rates.

However, the current ecosystem has fundamentally changed:

• Thousands of mature open-source libraries on GitHub
• Frameworks covering various scenarios (Web, AI, distributed, model inference...)
• GPT / Grok can help search, analyze, and combine these projects

In this environment, writing code from scratch is no longer the most efficient way.

Thus, "glue coding" has emerged as a new paradigm.

3. Core Principles of Glue Coding

3.1 If it can be avoided, don't write it; if it can be minimized, minimize it.

Any function with a mature existing implementation should not be reinvented.

3.2 If it can be copied and pasted, copy and paste.

Directly copying and using community-tested code is a normal engineering process, not laziness.

3.3 Stand on the shoulders of giants, rather than trying to become a giant.

Utilize existing frameworks, rather than trying to write a "better wheel" yourself.

3.4 Do not modify the original repository code.

All open-source libraries should remain as immutable as possible, used as black boxes.

3.5 Minimize custom code.

The code you write only serves for:

• Combination
• Calling
• Encapsulation
• Adaptation

This is the so-called glue layer.

4. Standard Process of Glue Coding

4.1 Clarify Requirements

Break down the system's functionalities into individual requirements.

4.2 Use GPT/Grok to Decompose Requirements

Let AI refine requirements into reusable modules, capabilities, and corresponding subtasks.

4.3 Search for Existing Open-Source Implementations

Utilize GPT's internet capabilities (like Grok):

• Search for corresponding GitHub repositories based on each sub-requirement
• Check for reusable components
• Compare quality, implementation methods, licenses, etc.

4.4 Download and Organize Repositories

Pull selected repositories locally and categorize them.

4.5 Organize by Architectural System

Place these repositories into the project structure, for example:

/services  
/libs  
/third_party  
/glue  

And emphasize: Open-source repositories, as third-party dependencies, must absolutely not be modified.

4.6 Write the Glue Layer Code

The glue code's functions include:

• Encapsulating interfaces
• Unifying input and output
• Connecting different components
• Implementing minimal business logic

The final system is composed of multiple mature modules.

5. Value of Glue Coding

5.1 Extremely High Success Rate

Because it uses community-verified mature code.

5.2 Extremely Fast Development Speed

A large number of functionalities can be directly reused.

5.3 Reduced Costs

Time costs, maintenance costs, and learning costs are significantly reduced.

5.4 More Stable System

Relies on mature frameworks rather than individual implementations.

5.5 Easy to Extend

Capabilities can be easily upgraded by replacing components.

5.6 Strong Synergy with AI

GPT can assist in searching, decomposing, and integrating, serving as a natural enhancer for glue engineering.

6. Glue Coding vs. Traditional Development

Project	Traditional Development	Glue Coding
Feature Implementation	Write yourself	Reuse open-source
Workload	Large	Much smaller
Success Rate	Uncertain	High
Speed	Slow	Extremely fast
Error Rate	Prone to pitfalls	Uses mature solutions
Focus	"Inventing wheels"	"Combining wheels"

7. Typical Application Scenarios for Glue Coding

• Rapid prototyping
• Small teams building large systems
• AI applications/model inference platforms
• Data processing pipelines
• Internal tool development
• System Integration

8. Future: Glue Engineering Will Become the New Mainstream Programming Method

As AI capabilities continue to strengthen, future developers will no longer need to write large amounts of code themselves, but rather:

• Find wheels
• Combine wheels
• Intelligently connect components
• Build complex systems at extremely low cost

Glue coding will become the new standard for software productivity.