The Future of Code is No-Code…Or Maybe Low-Code
Technology is undergoing a renaissance moment amid the pandemic. The unprecedented disruption brought by the pandemic has led to the adoption of Digital First Solutions. With that kind of a shift, companies need to evolve, think ahead of their competitors to stay relevant.
Amongst many inventions, Low Code and No-Code platforms are something worth mentioning.
No-Code:
No Code Framework is a tech platform that enables users to develop apps without any coding experience. No Code leverages user-friendly User Interfaces with a built-in drag and drop functionality that allows users to build and visualize the application at every step as per the business requirement/logic.
No-code is godsent for small businesses that cannot afford to hire a software developer or outsource app development to IT firms. It also empowers nontechnical employees to transform into citizen developers.
Business developers can now take the initiative to develop applications on their own without requiring any technical knowledge.
Using a No-code platform can create a new cloud-based case application to store and use data. As long as the workflow of the application is straightforward, this should be a cakewalk.
Low-Code:
Organizations that seek a certain degree of customization in their applications prefer low code over no code
With the help of software developers, organizations can custom-build applications with the desired features to meet the business objectives.
Although low code supports the entire development process, they do not provide the option for deployment. The IT team needs to deploy the code.
Benefits of Low Code/No-Code Platform:
Reduced Cost: Traditional development requires a comprehensive IT infrastructure to facilitate software development-DevOps, Tech Stacks, Data Servers, and Licenses.
Besides, companies also need to hire Security Experts, Software Development Experts, UI/UX, Quality Assurance Resources to complete the project. All this costs a significant amount of money, time, and resources.
But, when it comes to Low-Code/No-Code, companies can reduce expenses, need fewer resources to complete the development. This method also saves a lot of precious time for the IT department.
Flexibility: Conventional software development requires a lot of planning, analysis, and coordination with multiple stakeholders to get off the ground.
Frequent Change Requests can upend the entire development process midway, leading to delays, additional costs, and complexities.
Low-Code/No-Code offers a lot of flexibility with simple drag and drop features and seamless development of an application. Developers can modify the features without hassle.
Seamless Collaboration: Usually, there is always some disconnect between the IT and the Business Stakeholders with regards to the workflow of the application. Business teams may have some expectations which may not IT team may not be able to fulfil.
Low-code development enables the business side to witness the development on a real-time basis. This ensures that both stakeholders are on the same page. Since it requires nil coding expertise, both the stakeholders can work in tandem to develop the app.
Disadvantages of No-Code and Low-Code:
Rigid Setup: In the case of traditional software, developers have a free hand to customize the software to their liking, whereas low code/no code operates on pre-defined structures and workflow along with plugins. If a specific functionality is missing, it might defeat the entire purpose of using the same.
Security: Security remains one of the biggest challenges for low code and no code software as there is an overreliance on platform providers to provide security updates.
Also, the business may expose their source code to hackers in case of a security breach if they use a software provider as a host.
Stuck with a Vendor: In case a company goes for a specific vendor, they might have to stick with it as their source code cannot be migrated. It makes it very difficult to switch to another platform and leaves very limited options.
When Should you Settle for Low Code over No Code:
While both platforms are competitive and solve the problems, they cater to different segments.
Businesses that need a simplistic app with limited functionalities and no customizations will find no code apt.
For example, A restaurant needs feedback from customers and displays the ratings on the dashboard. Here no code is all that’s needed.
But, if there is a need for further segmentation, creating a menu, sending orders to the kitchen, and other complex activities, no code may fall flat. Here, Low Code will be the optimal solution.
Future of Low-Code and No-Code:
Low Code and No code have completely disrupted the application development ecosystem.
In the coming years, low code will analyse standard functionalities and offer them as a ready-made coding package, combining reusable components to deliver greater value to the clients.
Whereas, No-code is upping the ante by providing more value with the help of increased customizations, improvised features, and seamless integration.
Although no-code platforms have developed user interfaces to lure business developers, they are appealing to technical people by providing CSS, API, JS tools to and work like low code platforms. Many have expanded and begun to provide low code-like workarounds to provide additional value.
