Empower your code with Low-Code programming.

I recall a memorable one-hour retrospective mentorship meeting I had with a mentee while on a retreat vacation in Scotland, specifically in Aberdeen, during the festive period of last year, 2023. By the way, I thoroughly enjoyed the serene atmosphere and soft, lovely air in the roof garden, as it is called, in the presence of the Lord—yes, I am Christian.?

During this peaceful setting, I had a scheduled call with my mentee, who expressed her interest in delving deeper into programming. She shared her plans to pursue paid and free Python courses, ranging from beginner to expert levels, and to further her knowledge in computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning. This conversation sparked the mentorship session and served as the inspiration for this write-up. This is a situation of my mentee with expert knowledge on low code platform or application and wants to go into traditional codding in python, C++ etc.??

Allow me to provide a brief overview of my mentee's background. She is a tech expert and a business intelligence professional, making her a valuable asset to any team. With four VIP recognitions on the power platform, she is actively contributing to the oil and gas sector in West Africa. Globally recognised, she has been featured in major conferences, conducted practical sessions on power apps, and developed innovative products. Proficient in PowerBI and Tableau, a certified SQL expert, and holding a Microsoft Data Analyst certification, she leads a happily married life with children—a truly blessed home.?

This article thoroughly explores the potential and influence of low-code and traditional code, delving into how these methodologies are transforming the conception, development, and maintenance of applications. By democratising the development process, these platforms hold the promise of unleashing creativity and innovation across various segments of the workforce.

The primary objective of this examination is to offer insights into the ways these programming paradigms are shaping the industry and to contemplate the implications for the future of software development.

Furthermore, I will examine the benefits of possessing either one skill set or, ideally, both skills.?

Introduction?

In recent years, the software development arena has undergone a transformative shift with the rise of low-code and no-code programming. These innovative methodologies represent a departure from traditional coding techniques, offering a more accessible pathway for individuals with varying levels of technical expertise to engage in application development.?

Low-code programming employs a visual development interface to create applications with minimal hand-coding, emphasising the abstraction of complex processes.

On the other hand, no-code programming takes this abstraction further, allowing individuals to construct functional applications without writing any code. Both low-code and no-code development platforms aim to streamline the application development process, extending empowerment beyond professional programmers to a broader audience.?

The significance of these methodologies in the development landscape is rapidly increasing, propelled by the growing demand for quicker and more cost-effective solutions.

As organisations strive to adapt to the swift pace of the digital era, the necessity for efficient development tools that can bridge the gap between business requirements and technical implementation has become increasingly evident.?

We currently exist in an age where no-code, low-code, and traditional development can coexist harmoniously. Each approach is capable of addressing specific aspects of development requirements and achieving the desired outcomes.?

In recent times, there has been a notable shift in the software development domain, marked by the ascent of low-code and no-code programming.

These innovative methods have gained prominence as viable alternatives to conventional coding practices, catering to the increasing demand for quicker development cycles, enhanced collaboration, and the democratisation of software development.?

The Evolution of Low-Code and No-Code Programming.

The transformation of low-code and no-code programming has reshaped the software development landscape, presenting a compelling substitute for traditional coding methods.?

The roots of low-code and no-code programming can be traced back to the need for simplification and acceleration in software development processes. Traditional coding, characterized by intricate lines of code crafted by skilled programmers, posed challenges in terms of time, resources, and accessibility. Recognising these limitations, the concept of low-code emerged, aiming to streamline the development process by providing a visual environment with pre-built components and reusable code snippets.?

No-code programming takes this simplification a step further, enabling individuals with limited to no coding experience to create functional software applications. The progression from low-code to no-code signifies a shift towards empowering a broader audience, including business analysts, designers, and other non-developers, to actively contribute to the software creation process.?

Several key factors have fuelled the rise of low-code and no-code programming, challenging the conventional methods of traditional coding.?

• Need for Faster Development Cycles: The primary catalyst behind the surge of low-code and no-code is the demand for accelerated development cycles. Traditional coding often involves time-consuming processes, requiring a skilled workforce and intricate code implementation. In contrast, low-code and no-code platforms empower users with intuitive interfaces and pre-built components, facilitating rapid application development and deployment.?
• Increased Collaboration: Collaboration is crucial in today's dynamic software development landscape. Low-code and no-code platforms facilitate collaboration among cross-functional teams, breaking down silos between developers, business analysts, and domain experts. These platforms provide a common ground where individuals with varying technical expertise can contribute to the development process, fostering innovation and efficiency.?
• Democratisation of Software Development: Traditionally, software development was limited to a niche group of skilled programmers. The rise of low-code and no-code programming signifies a paradigm shift by democratising the development process. These platforms empower individuals with diverse backgrounds, allowing them to contribute to application development without extensive coding expertise. This democratisation not only addresses the shortage of skilled developers but also enhances innovation by bringing in fresh perspectives.?
• Impact on Traditional Coding Practices: The surge in popularity of low-code and no-code programming has raised questions about their impact on traditional coding methodologies. While these approaches offer speed and accessibility, concerns about scalability, customisation, and performance persist. It is crucial to evaluate the strengths and limitations of each approach in order to make informed decisions about their applicability in different contexts.?

The Low-Code features advantage in Minimising manual-Coding.

Low-code platforms empower developers to create applications with minimal manual coding through a visual and intuitive environment that abstracts and automates many aspects of traditional coding. Here are various ways in which these platforms enhance a more streamlined development process:?

1. Visual Interface:?Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Low-code platforms typically feature a visual development environment where developers can design applications by dragging and dropping pre-built components onto a canvas. This eliminates the need for manually writing code for common functionalities like user interfaces, data connections, or logic flows.?Visual Modelling: Developers can visually model the structure and flow of an application using graphical representations. This allows for a more intuitive understanding of the application's architecture and logic, reducing reliance on textual coding.?
2. Pre-built components and templates:?Reusable Modules: Low-code platforms come equipped with a library of pre-built components and templates that developers can leverage. These components encapsulate common functionalities such as authentication, database interactions, or integrations with third-party services. Reusing these modules minimises the need for custom code.?
3. Automated Code Generation:?Code Generation Wizards: Low-code platforms often include code generation wizards that automatically generate underlying code based on visual configurations made by developers. This accelerates the development process and ensures adherence to best practices.?Event-driven Programming: Developers can define actions and logic through visual events, and the platform generates the corresponding code. This reduces the need for manual coding to handle events, making the development process more efficient.?
4. Abstraction of Technical Details:?Abstracting Complex Backend Operations: Low-code platforms abstract the complexity of backend operations such as database queries or API integrations. Developers can configure these operations visually without delving into intricate coding details, allowing them to focus on the overall functionality of the application.?Middleware Integration: Many low-code platforms offer integrations with middleware that handles technical complexities like security, scalability, and performance optimization. This allows developers to concentrate on business logic rather than dealing with low-level technical concerns.?
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration:?Collaboration Tools: Low-code platforms often provide collaboration tools that enable non-technical stakeholders, such as business analysts or subject-matter experts, to participate in the development process. This fosters collaboration between different teams and reduces the dependency on expert programmers for every aspect of application development.?Iterative Development: The visual nature of low-code development facilitates iterative development. Changes can be made quickly, and stakeholders can provide feedback in real-time, resulting in a more agile development process.?
6. Code Extension and Customisation:?Scripting and Custom Code Support: While low-code platforms aim to minimise manual coding, they often allow developers to incorporate custom code snippets or scripts when necessary. This provides flexibility for developers to extend functionalities or integrate specific requirements not covered by the platform's visual tools.?

By combining these features, low-code platforms enable developers to build applications rapidly with reduced reliance on manual coding.

This approach not only accelerates development cycles but also opens up application development to a broader range of individuals with varying levels of technical expertise.?

Unlocking Opportunities, Regardless of Coding Background.

Certainly! Low-code development platforms have made it possible for individuals without traditional programming backgrounds to create applications more easily.?

Citizen Developers at SIMENS AG: Siemens AG, a global engineering and manufacturing company, advocates for employees without conventional programming backgrounds to embrace the role of citizen developers. Through the utilisation of low-code platforms, staff members have successfully devised applications to streamline diverse business processes, such as project management and resource allocation.?

Salesforce trailblazers: Salesforce's low-code platform, Salesforce Lightning, empowers users within the Salesforce ecosystem to craft custom applications and workflows. The Salesforce Trailblazer community highlights the success stories of professionals, including sales and marketing experts, who have adeptly developed custom applications to address specific business requirements.

Companies leveraging this platform include 联合利华 , 施耐德电气 , T-Mobile , among others.?

Mendix App Platform Success Stories: Mendix, a low-code platform facilitating the visual creation of web and mobile applications with minimal coding, boasts numerous success stories from individuals lacking extensive coding experience. These applications range from internal tools to customer-facing solutions. For example, a business analyst might construct a workflow application to automate a particular process.

Adopters of Mendix include Coca-Cola Europacific Partners , 罗氏公司 , etc.

OutSystems : OutSystems, a comprehensive low-code application development platform, is employed by businesses for swift application development and deployment. Its community forums showcase stories of business analysts, project managers, and other non-developers successfully creating applications for tasks such as management, reporting, and collaboration.

Companies utilising OutSystems include 西门子 , 德勤 , and 任仕达 .?

微软 Power Apps: A component of the Microsoft Power Platform, Power Apps facilitates the easy construction of custom apps, workflow automation, and seamless connections with data sources. Designed to enable users with limited coding skills, professionals from various fields, such as finance and operations, have utilised Power Apps to develop applications for data tracking, approval workflows, and more.

Companies incorporating Power Apps into their operations include 雪佛龙 , Toyota Motor Corporation , HP etc.?

Appian : Appian, a low-code automation platform for building enterprise applications and business process management solutions, finds adoption among companies such as Barclays , Blue Cross Blue Shield Association , and Ryder Systems .?

Quickbase : Quick Base, a low-code platform for building applications, automating workflows, and connecting data sources, is embraced by companies like TD , Airbnb Airbnb, and Siemens Healthineers.?

These instances underscore how low-code and no-code platforms have democratised opportunities, allowing individuals with non-traditional programming backgrounds to actively contribute to application development and promoting a more inclusive approach to technology creation. I trust you are now familiar with the essence of my advice.?

I'm confident you're aware of the right places to seek job opportunities when establishing your career on a low-code platform. Don't let job descriptions requiring 15 years of experience in Python intimidate you.

Market evaluation of Low code platforms

Consider this: Gartner's 2021 prediction anticipates a nearly threefold increase in the adoption of low- and no-code technologies by 2025. The projection indicates that 70% of new applications will incorporate elements of low-code or no-code, a notable surge from the 25% observed in 2020. Consequently, it implies substantial growth potential for the market for low-code and no-code platforms.?

As per Statista, the low-code development platform market is poised to generate revenue of 32 billion USD in 2024, a substantial leap from the 7.87 billion USD recorded in 2018. This growth trajectory is characterised by an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.1%.?

Given the swift expansion of generative AI in 2023, it is evident that these figures will likely double, if not triple.?

My Perspective.?

The evolving landscape of technology, its utilisation, and adaptability are intriguing, especially with the positive news that technology is becoming more inclusive. Previously, constructing a website was a lengthy process requiring specialised expertise like phpMyAdmin. Today, it can be accomplished in minutes, if not seconds, and is accessible to anyone with logical thinking skills.

Reflecting on my journey to learn hard coding for website development, I sometimes perceive those who opt for package imports as either lazy or not up to my skill level.?

As I progressed into the realms of data and AI, I realised the value of my traditional coding skills when venturing into low-code applications. For instance, during the 2017 DSNai - Data Science Nigeria boot camp, I constructed a model using Azure Studio and compared it with the same machine learning algorithm coded in Python. This experience was enlightening, highlighting the effectiveness of coding, even within a low-code platform.?

Another noteworthy project involved working on a wine quality dataset with SAS Enterprise Miner, a low-code or no-code platform, followed by further work in Python. The versatility of importing Python or R packages into Alteryx for NLP projects or ETL pipelines added to the enriching experience I had.?

To summarise in two points?

1. The collaboration between traditional coders (professional developers) and low-code users is vital for successful and efficient application development. However, having coding skills is not a disadvantage, as many companies appreciate the value of such expertise. Whether learning low code or traditional code, it is essential to consider Rachel Adams' commandment. Further exploration of this commandment reveals valuable insights.?
2. Possessing knowledge in both areas allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the technical constraints of any project.?

As professionals, you're well aware that the field of technology is both rewarding and demanding in terms of continuous learning. Just last year, in 2023, I made an effort to catch up on all the advancements in AI technology.

Certifications can elevate your authority in the field and provide negotiating power for recognition of your hard work. However, it's important to note that most certificates expire, requiring renewal and the ongoing task of preparation, often involving significant financial investment.

This underscores the progressive nature of learning, and I advocate viewing the tech industry as a long-term career rather than an opportunistic endeavour.?

Given this context, it's beneficial to acquire proficiency in using low-code platforms. As a fellow professional, you gain flexibility in approaching different projects. This adaptability enables you to choose between traditional coding and low-code development based on project requirements, deadlines, and other constraints, fostering agility and responsiveness to team or organisational needs.?

When utilizing low-code platforms, the experience is marked by the joy of swiftly bringing ideas to life. Visual interfaces and pre-built components facilitate rapid prototyping and iteration, providing immediate results that are satisfying to witness.?

On the other hand, traditional coding offers a sense of precision and control. Building code from scratch allows you to tailor every aspect of an application to meet specific requirements, especially when working on intricate or performance-critical components.?

With a dual skill set, you become a problem-solving maestro, capable of analysing challenges from multiple angles. You can discern whether a traditional coding solution or a low-code approach is more suitable for a given problem, showcasing versatility in finding effective solutions.?

Working with low-code platforms feels efficient, particularly for routine or repetitive tasks. The time saved during development and the reduced need for extensive debugging create a sense of efficiency. It's akin to having a set of powerful tools that streamline the development process.?

Mastering both traditional coding and low-code development instils a sense of accomplishment. The investment of time and effort in acquiring a diverse skill set allows you to confidently navigate various development landscapes, boosting confidence in tackling a wide range of projects.?

In collaborative settings, your skill set facilitates effective communication with both technical and non-technical team members. This fosters a collaborative environment where ideas flow smoothly between different perspectives.?

The versatility of your skill set positions you well for diverse career opportunities. With your expertise in demand across industries, you can choose roles aligned with your interests and the evolving demands of the job market. This flexibility enhances your overall employability.?

In essence, possessing a skill set in both traditional code and low-code development is akin to having a well-stocked toolbox. It empowers you to confidently select the right tool for the job, whether it involves the precision of traditional coding or the efficiency of low-code development. This dynamic experience allows you to navigate the ever-changing landscape of software development with confidence.?

I will like to hear from the great boss who are pro in Low code and traditional code Olanrewaju Oyinbooke, Gift Ejovwoke Warieta amd Amarachi Nwoke Ugagbe your perspective on this topic.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Let's start a conversation in the comments section. Your feedback is valuable to me.

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