Low-Code/No-Code Platforms Powering App Development

According to Forbes, the most disruptive trend of 2021 is low-code/no-code. This space is growing fast due to a lack of skilled software developers and the need to speed up development projects to solve business problems quickly.

This new generation of low-code/no-code platforms is designed to make it relatively quick and easy for people to design, build, and launch apps, without the worry of operating systems or scalability requirements.

A new class of software assemblers

As stated by Forbes, “The essence of low-code and no-code software is the emergence of a new class of software ‘assemblers’ not traditional software ‘developers’.”

Good news for professional developers as their time will be freed up to deal with more strategic infrastructure concerns affecting their enterprises, enhancing productivity.

So who are the types of people using no-code/low-code platforms?

Low and no-code approaches have been ideal for startups that need to quickly get apps to market, but they are just as suitable to larger, established enterprises as well.

The no-coders

• ‘citizen developers’ — business users who can build functional but generally limited apps without having to write a line of code.

The low-coders

• non-technical people or users with some coding knowledge — at some point, a developer will be required to finish things off ie. code, or customize the remainder.
• professional developers — streamlining and simplifying their work, delivering enterprise-class applications with little or no hand-coding.

“You shouldn’t have to choose between No- or Low-Code,” explains Chris Obdam, CEO at Betty Blocks. “Innovation starts with Citizen Developers often, but after the first phase, IT should be able to continue the work.”

Quickly build apps with no coding

With traditional software development, programmers write lines of code to create the functions and features desired in a computer program or application.

Low-code and no-code platforms allow users to visually select and connect reusable components that represent particular steps or capabilities (which contain the actual code) and link them together to create the desired computerized workflow.

No-code vs. low-code development platforms

No code platforms

• 100% drag-and-drop visual interface with no coding or programming knowledge required. Suitable for business users; Citizen Developers.
• Typically used to create tactical apps to handle simple functions for a specific use case.

Low code platforms

• Also drag-and-drop but requires users to be at least a little familiar with code and how it works to access these platforms to build an app.
• Used to develop standalone mobile and web apps and portals that are likely to require integration with other systems and several data sources. Can be used to run processes such as digital transformation initiatives.

Developers also benefit from adopting low-code.

• More fun, more variety — developers can easily work on multiple projects rather than stuck on one mundane project endlessly.
• Transparency — developers and customers can see what’s going on at every stage and it allows everyone involved to evaluate, assess, and work together more easily.
• Do away with those bugs — minimal code means fewer bugs and less time spent troubleshooting, freeing up time for developers.
• Show the features visually — a visual approach makes it easier to show customers how the actual app will look (rather than a load of code) and gives them a better understanding of what’s going on and what to expect so they can make any changes there and then.
• Business growth — low-code is here to stay and allows developers to leverage innovative technologies and enjoy the greater accessibility that comes with it. They will not only become experts in using the technology but will also facilitate business growth.

Challenges of low-code/no-code platforms

The future of low-code/no-code

Industry experts predict the future of low-code/no-code will see continued enterprise adoption, among both business workers for fast development and specific business needs, and professional developers to help them with more mundane programming tasks.

It may be that low-code and no-code merge into a single market segment — both ‘enterprise-class’ powerful and ‘citizen developer’ easy to use, at the same time.

To code or not

Low-code/no-code won’t entirely replace professional developers anytime soon though. Traditional app development is still a must for applications that require extensive functionality, data governance, and deployment to specific architectures or environments.

So perhaps the distinction between low-code/no-code isn’t about whether people need to code or not, it’s more about the types of people using these platforms to build applications.

What do the analysts say?

Reimagine how you deliver insights

The SharpCloud platform allows firms of any size to build their own business apps and turn their unique approach, methodology, or process into a robust digital solution.

Call us today and empower citizen developers with a cost-effective, low-code/no-code structure. SharpCloud is the platform, but the solution is yours.