Low-code/No-code: Band-aid solution or just a helping hand?

Over the last decade, you’ve probably heard the term “low code, no code” a million times. But what does it actually mean? Is it really an opportunity that allows all of us to walk in coder’s shoes, or not exactly? From non-technical business owners to HR departments, the usage of the low-code, no-code platforms is growing every day. Even though the peak of this technology happened in the last few years, it’s been around way longer. These platforms give the green light into the once closed world of programming. Meanwhile, if application development is available to everyone, what does that mean for professional developers? Is the tech world in trouble?

BRIEF HISTORY OF LOW-CODE/NO-CODE DEVELOPMENT

Every new technological invention has its purpose to simplify a certain process, basically our everyday functioning as a society. It is our nature to come up with new ideas and explore the unknown. Naturally, with programming languages, each new has improved the usability and accessibility of software development. The most recent example being low-code/no-code tools. By allowing "citizen developers" to address their own business workflow issues, low-code/no-code enables professional developers to concentrate on more difficult, mission-critical tasks.

Low-code development platforms imply the Fourth-Generation Programming Languages as a source for foundation. These programming languages cover data management, mathematical optimization, report generation, web development and GUI development.

Later on, in the 90s we witnessed the RAD rise, increasing Oracle Forms, Visual Basic and Delphi’s popularity. RAD tools are recognized for being simple-to-learn environments: end users should concentrate on the GUI, while business logic is added gradually. Each of them may well be stored as components.

The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) was presented by the Object Management in 2001 as a software design methodology that offers a set of practices for structuring and expressing specifications as models in an effort to bridge the gap between the department and development.

With the arrival of MDA and Microsoft Software’s Factories, MDSD has become the focus of programmers who use tools like BPMN and UML.

After iOS and Android entered the market, many mobile platforms came into view. However, mobile apps were under threat from technologies like responsive web design and progressive web apps (PWA), which can provide web apps for small devices with a decent user experience (UX), without the requirement for a mobile development platform.

Finally, in 2016 Forester Group made the term low-code public. LC development contains RAD and MSDS procedures while taking into consideration ALM and Continuous Integration (CI) or Continuous Deployment (CD) for development, test, and production environments. A PaaS (Platform as a Service) must be accessible in order to allow "Drag & Drop" building of the whole environment. There are on-premises options for this purpose, like the OpenShift container platform, but generally matching cloud services.

By the end of the decade, no-code has also evolved into a method for simplifying email marketing and data analytics, with its speed and usability contributing to its acceptance inside the IT industry.

BEHIND THE CURTAINS

Every no-code platform usually involves:

- UI and the code transformer – enable the application code being generated out of the visual interfaces and its components;

- Drag and drop objects, components, and forms are all part of the user interface. Users can design interfaces for their products so it must be created simple and intuitive (for a wide range of non-technical users). UI/UX designers frequently invest a lot of time on this stage;

- Business logic - implementing components that enable interface functionality on the back end;

- Automated code builders – this is an optional component which lets automated packing of the code into a website or an app for later deploying it into production.

Before you start thinking about building your own no-code platform, there are a few things you should take into account:

1. The first is an explanation of why using external code, templates, or snippets might be crucial to your company's use of no-code or low-code platforms. Everything is fairly straightforward: these platforms are generally used during the POC or MVP stages to test a business idea or launch in short order. If the use case is simple and no additional functionality is required, it is often used to design specialized solutions.
2. A small number of components or functionalities (ready-made modules) play a key role in the future stages, making it impossible for you to integrate any distinctive features or stay ahead of the competition.
3. Maintaining the back end logic is also significant, although it might be mitigated with the right architecture. It is doable to import external code to address an issue with a fixed set of functionalities; the npm model with closed and open components for example. The community will support such a low-code platform, bringing about beneficial improvements in the industry.
4. Lastly, the implementation period of these platforms is far longer than that of common projects like social networks or ERP systems. So, this needs to be considered during the planning process.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOW-CODE AND NO-CODE

Both of these alternatives to traditional software development use features found in visual programming to speed up the software creation process. Regardless of the terms being used synonymously, they are not quite the same.

Low-code platforms are intended for IT professionals who possess some programming knowledge. With the help of simple low-code tools, consumers may create a wide range of web and mobile applications even if they have no experience with software design or programming languages. Software development is simple with low-code solutions, even if you aren't a skilled coder. Opposing to no-code platforms, low-code ones run on open system technology (enabling users to make changes to the code that develops functions. They promote an effective and user-friendly environment by frequently leaning on JavaScript, CSS, and visual development. Also, low-code development platforms offer great system integration adaptability as well as the opportunity for developing high-demand applications.

By contrast, no-code is primarily directed towards non-developers, people with zero technical knowledge. Consequently, no-code platforms are a favourite among business owners, independent contractors, and creatives. Basically, it enables building applications by dragging and dropping software components. But it falls short on the other features that low code allows. Since it’s a closed system, the customization is limited.

SHOULD YOU USE THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT AS A CODER?

One of the advantages these platforms offer developers is accelerating deployment and lowering IT backlogs. You can apply code that is less specifically customized to actions while using low code, which has a greater impact. Also, you’ll be able to begin implementing low code with various coding languages by gradually introducing option lines and libraries. This will enable adjusting resources and developers with products and services. Low code can be seen as query languages within extended data as well; many components in the Atlassian base for Jira and Confluence allow using queries as small code within the wider workflow. GitLab/Hub are also using low code method for developers.

In order to keep its competitive edge, an organization must be able to quickly experiment with and test new concepts. As web developers you may rapidly prototype and deploy new apps using open-source, low-code development platforms. The addition of new features can be done fast and easily without the requirement for protracted development cycles or difficult coding. This makes quickly testing new ideas and receiving user input possible, which makes it simpler to modify them.

On these platforms applications that connect to, operate with, and combine data from many sources can be created fast and efficiently by developers. This allows you to focus more on creating complex applications and spend less time worrying about the technical aspects of data integration.

ARE THESE PLATFORMS THE END FOR MANUAL CODING?

Of course not! These platforms imply the idea that the coding part is the most difficult element of programming. What about visualizing the issue at hand, coming up with a clear solution in your head, and explaining that solution to the computer? Language is merely the means by which you accomplish it.The AI supported tools are still not as specific as they could be. Needless to say that this will change with a continuing utilization of AI, leading to transmittal of developer‘s thoughts more specifically. Low code/ no code platforms offer limited and rigid results and are perfect for simple applications, but if you’re looking for a more personalized, useful, and maintainable solution hiring a developer is the right choice.

Ultimately, who do you think is behind these platforms? Even though the code is not visible, it’s still there.

Despite the fact that this movement has earned its place in the history of technology, there is still so much more to do. These tools have done a great job making technology more accessible but aren’t agile and flexible enough. Engineers that can fully alter software to fulfill the full scope of use cases that businesses need will always be in demand. In order to differentiate your company and timely answer new market trends, a skilled engineer is a must. And the process of finding top talent can be excruciating, we at SnapStack would know! However, over the years we've managed to work with incredible professionals who set the bar for our projects pretty high. SnapStack is fortified with great minds who can rise to any challenge and most importantly can offer customized solutions.

This being said, while we patiently wait for the future improvements of the low code/no code platforms, feel free to reach out to us if you’re ever in need of efficient and maintainable results.