Never as good as it seems, never as bad as it seems: a low down on Low Code

The great St Kilda coach, Ross Lyon, once said “Things are never as good as they seem, things are never as bad as they seem”. ?I think the same can be said about low-code platforms, the basis of the Pathways.

In recent years, low-code development has emerged as a viable approach to application development, offering rapid software creation with minimal manual coding. ?By abstracting away repetitive, low-value adding coding tasks and reducing the need for traditional programming knowledge, low-code development platforms empower a broader range of individuals to software development. Hey, even I rolled up my sleeves and successfully delivered working prototypes for Pathways when, in the early days, funding was short. ?However, like any technology, low-code development is not without its drawbacks.?

Before I go further let me call out that I am a convert. ?I had always put low-code development into a box and labelled it “Good for back-office, simple applications where you prioritise function over experience” but things have changed. ?Here is what I have learned over the past 12 months delivering Pathways with the Outsystems low-code platform

Pros of Low-Code Development (aka Never as bad as it seems):

1. Rapid Application Development: Low-code platforms provide pre-built modules and components that simplify application development. This allows for the quick assembly of applications, significantly reducing development time compared to traditional coding methods. For example our original Pilot solution, launched to production in February was built in just 12 weeks. ?In a previous life, I might have been lucky to get the log-in screen.

2. Increased Productivity: With low-code development, developers can focus on high-level application logic rather than repetitive coding tasks. This boosts developer productivity and allows them to concentrate on innovation and problem-solving, leading to faster time-to-market for software projects. ?In our case just a small number of developers delivering what would take a squad or two in traditional build terms each sprint.

3. Lower Skill Barrier: Traditional software development requires a deep understanding of programming languages and frameworks. Low-code development platforms, on the other hand, provide visual interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality. ?Only armed with two weeks of online learning, even I was able to roll up the sleeves and undertake my first serious crack at development this century!!! ?Success!

4. Agility and Flexibility: In today's rapidly changing business landscape, agility is crucial. Low-code platforms enable developers to make quick modifications to applications, respond to user feedback, and adapt to evolving market needs efficiently. ?This has been amazingly beneficial for us at Pathways where we have been able to deliver the features customers request in days, not weeks.

Cons of Low-Code Development (aka Never as good as it seems):

1. Limited Customization: While low-code platforms offer pre-built components and templates, they may not always deliver on highly specific requirements. We haven't yet hit this barrier in what we have built to date, but discussions are emerging in terms of our backlog where this might arise.

2. Performance Concerns: The abstraction and automation layers in low-code platforms may introduce some overhead, potentially impacting the performance of complex or resource-intensive applications.

3. Vendor Lock-In: Adopting a low-code development platform means becoming reliant on the platform's provider. Often resources for these platforms are not as plentiful as your traditional Node JS, React or .Net solutions so it's worth completing a market scan before diving in.

Low-code development is undoubtedly a game-changer, offering substantial benefits such as accelerated development, increased productivity, and broadening the talent pool for software creation. It is an excellent choice for certain projects, especially when speed and simplicity are prioritized.

Take a look at some of our demo videos at Pathways - YouTube or sign up for a demo at www.pathwaysdigital.io to see how Pathways can work for you.