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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.