The Rise of Low-Code/No-Code: Is This The Future of Software Development?
Defined Calculus
Intelligent Recruitment Personified | Specialists at Filling Challenging Technical Roles.
Artificial intelligence has been steadily evolving over the past decade and recently we've seen this particular field of computer science grow at an exponential rate. AI has profoundly impacted many industries, organizations and their employees. In particular, Software Developers.
For instance, AI is already being used to enhance cloud computing processes and automate many coding tasks. Undoubtedly, technology developments are on the brink of delivering limitless scalability.
As an experienced Recruiter and business owner in this space, I've witnessed many shifts in software development. One of these recent changes is how many companies are incorporating low-code or no-code development into their businesses, empowering non-Developers.
Just how much will it change in the coming years? Will low-code or no-code make Software Developers obsolete? Are they here to stay long-term?
Let's explore these questions further and discuss what businesses and Software Developers need to watch out for.
Low-Code v No-Code
What is low-code and no-code development? What's the appeal?
Low-code is a software development approach that requires little-to-no coding to build applications and processes.
Instead of using complex programming languages, users can employ visual interfaces with basic logic and drag-and-drop capabilities in a low-code development platform.
Low-code allows users with no advanced knowledge of coding/software creation to use intuitive techniques to build software such as business applications or mobile applications.
No-code programming platforms utilize a visual development interface to enable non-technical users to build applications by dragging and dropping software components to create a full application.
With no-code development, users don't need any previous coding experience to build apps.
What's next? Is there a future for low-code and no-code development?
Definitely!
Now more than ever, many companies are investing in low-code or no-code development with the promise of delivering apps with little-to-no coding experience.
But, it’s worth mentioning that low-code and no-code development aren't new concepts.
In fact, they have been gaining traction for years now.
Research by Gartner shows that there has been a surge in remote development and a continued boost in low-code adoption. The worldwide low-code technologies market was estimated to reach a total of $13.8 billion in 2021…a huge increase of 22.6% from 2020. And it's continuing to grow significantly.
Gartner also estimates that low-code application development will have been used by three-quarters of large enterprises in 2024.
Low-code and no-code development in software development
For most Developers, low-code and no-code development platforms have accelerated development and delivery times. They offer simplicity in creating the look and functionality of apps with little-to-no code, therefore reducing time.
What's not to love?
Low code has helped Developers save time by using programming libraries that enable a quick assembly of applications, with building blocks and little code. Instead of writing hundreds of code lines yourself, low-code development has helped foster simplicity.
Nowadays, most low-code platforms offer no-code features too. These features are usually visual editors that help create and deploy simple applications without writing any code yourself.
That way, citizen Developers can create business applications without programming skills, so long as the platform offers functionality.
Yes, no-code and low-code tech are great news for many, but what about the highly trained Software Developer? What does this mean for them?
Should they worry that this development is creating an opportunity for anyone to become a “citizen Developer”? Or will it only enhance the field and free up Software Developers for more substantial, meaningful work?
How do low-code & no-code platforms affect Software Developers?
The increasing popularity of low-code and no-code platforms doesn't mean that Developers will run out of work. In reality, such platforms will support Developers in their daily work and open up new possibilities.
For example, low-code platforms provide simple and standard app features, therefore presenting Developers with the opportunity to spend more time on complex work.
They can also focus on developing large enterprise systems, and customize the functionality of low-code apps to increase their value.
After all, most Developers know the hard part isn't writing code...it's about translating a problem into a commercial solution in an abstract computing environment. And this skill can only come from experts with programming experience that new citizen developers don't have!
And there you have it…such platforms won't make hiring Software Developers obsolete.
For Developers willing to work with and alongside low-code platforms, this can be a great opportunity to grow and showcase their skills, as well as help citizen Developers build their own simple apps.
Skills and qualities of successful low-code and no-code Developers
What factors and skills do employers look for when hiring a low-code or no-code Developer who can work alongside these platforms?
1. Proficiency in popular tools and platforms such as Adalo, Webflow, and Shopify.
2. Knowledge of data modeling and database management.
3. Understanding of web development principles and design patterns.
4. Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
5. Creativity and innovation in finding no-code solutions.
6. Strong collaboration and communication skills.
The potential of low-code/no-code development and its impact on future hiring practices
Low-code or no-code developments are not simply buzzwords that will fade away. Believe it or not, it's a real revolution, and the future of software development.
And in a world where flexibility and speed are necessary, more businesses are realizing the importance of hiring low-code and no-code Developers. These software development tools are becoming the new standard that future hiring practices are taking into account.
Wrapping up
Low-code and no-code could be the future of this technical space. Organizations and their Developers could substantially benefit from embracing such solutions, taking the speed and efficiency of production software development to yet another level.
As the very first in our new monthly series, we're blogging about the future of software development. You’re welcome to share your thoughts, join our community on LinkedIn, explore career opportunities through us or get in touch if you need our help with hiring.