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BACKSpecifics of low-code development
Low-code platforms combine graphical development interfaces and programming. Software development is primarily drag & drop, where the user composes individual functions. However, more advanced users have the possibility to dig into the code and customize the software.
In the case of programming, however, we are only talking about small interventions, which can be handled by an instructed novice. The graphical interface, which contains predefined components, is the key.
Why do companies use low-code development?
Graphical environment – the user puts the application together like a building block and determines the relationship between functions.
The possibility of code completion – a more experienced developer can add scripts to the software and code more advanced functions.
Automation and workflow – low-code platforms allow easy integration of process automation tools.
Faster development – tools like Mendix, Appian and Game Maker reduce the time required to develop an application.
Low-code platforms are built for citizen developers – lay people without deep knowledge. Marketers configure their own tools for content creation or analytics, sales reps create an app for portfolio presentation. All this at a fraction of the cost of regular programmers.
What is a no-code platform?
No-code tools go even further in the idea of programming for the layman and get rid of code altogether. Again, development is done via drag & drop and users compose individual functions represented by pre-made templates with code.
Tools like Divi and Elementor are used to create web pages. Even a layman with no knowledge of programming and web design can create a nice and functional one-page website in them. And a cafe owner can enrich the site with a reservation system through the same tool.
Thanks to no-code platforms, people with no knowledge of software can create web applications. Which is the biggest weakness of this approach. Still, no-code platforms give companies room to address the problem of a lack of skilled programmers – they simply don’t need them.
Disadvantages of no-code and low-code development
The main stumbling block is unskilled development. Custom applications give people the impression that they have become programmers themselves. But the actual issue of development is deeper. In addition, we find security holes in software developed on these platforms, not to mention optimization problems.
How long will a tool created in this way last?
If the business is growing, no-code tools will start to slow down the growth. Applications from no-code and low-code development hit their ceiling and an initially useful tool suddenly becomes a pebble in the shoe. Sooner or later, businesses will come to the conclusion that custom apps are more worthwhile.
Finally, there is the ignorance of the environment. Programmers and other IT workers don’t just specialize in development – companies benefit from their expertise as well. The basis of collaboration is project analysis, which reveals strengths and weaknesses and results in the design of a truly workable solution.
A revolution is not happening?
Low-code and no-code platforms have a future and are influencing traditional software development. Yet the share of software built this way is growing – Gartner estimates a 70% market share by 2025.
Rapid development platforms enable fast and cheap deployment. But the resulting software often falls short of the production values needed. So developers don’t have to worry about their jobs. After all, good old-fashioned programming is behind the development of low-code and no-code tools.
But the role of the developer is changing. It’s no longer just about the coder. Part of his job is to focus on integration and openness of the tools to further integration. And the idea of customized software allowing it to be extended via no-code sounds interesting to say the least.
