Learn-To-Code vs Vibe Coding Using AI

[Dynaweb]

I do some coding, keeping up on things over the past couple decades; mostly PHP and dabbling in Javascript. Over the holidays I was chatting with a younger family member and he was excited to express to me that he was "learning to code" (Javascript) by taking intensive online courses. He was soliciting me for advice asking what I recommend to him to make his learning experience the best it can be.

I hope he didn't see it in my eyes, but my knee-jerk though was to tell him, "Just let AI code for you!", but thankfully my wiser side prevailed. After thinking for a moment, I told him to be sure to master the LOGIC and CONCEPTS of the coding process, more so than the syntax. That way when using an AI assistant to expand or augment or troubleshoot his own work, he will have the vantage of an executive commanding resources while maintaining vision within context of the overall project.

Just thinking that this avenue will be more successful than those attempting to "vibe code", with unreasonable expectations.

What do you think? Just learn to pure code, code and have AI help with specific aspects, or vibe it?