Software is eating the world.
But how about software eating your the traditional product development approach of a business too?
It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but we see the reality of this every day as processes once handled by departmental, siloed teams are automated—and fast.
These capabilities reduce the solutions that IT delivers to end-users and the roles of those on the team itself.
According to Gartner, 85% of jobs today will be automated by 2035.
How long before we see "low code" developers as one of those roles?
And for that matter, what role will a "low code" developer play in the future?
Are Low code platforms a new concept?
Low code platforms aren't a new concept, but they are popping up more and more frequently in conversations around business applications.
Traditional development tools have high upfront costs, extensive resources required (both technical and staff), and long development cycles.
On the other hand, low code platforms have lowered this barrier by taking care of most of these requirements—allowing developers to use drag-and-drop tools that require minimal programming knowledge.
Instead of writing code, you're utilizing templates or building blocks that provide a quick solution for your business needs.
The value of low-code development platforms
Low-code development is a new approach to creating applications fast.
A low code or low-code development platform allows software developers with little or no programming skills to develop Web and mobile applications rapidly.
Many organizations start this type of apps to create a prototype or beta version because it is very simple and fast.
A high number of functionality is not always required initially, so many corporations tend to develop applications using low coding to reduce the effort.
In general, when we talk about development, we refer to developing a new application, taking into account the specifications and needs that exist within an organization.
This implies that we must have excellent knowledge of the subject area and technology involved in building the application.
Low code is a less complex way for developers to create applications.
It does not require knowing everything about the technicalities used to develop the app, as it is commonly done.
To promote the creation of low-code applications, companies such as IBM and OutSystems have developed platforms for developing applications without using a single line of code.
Low Code Examples
Recent examples of low-code systems that have received widespread attention are Amazon Alexa, iPhone apps, Tesla cars, and Google Home.
Example:
For building MVPs (Minimum Viable Products)
Low-code development can benefit prototyping and building MVPs
They are beneficial when developing new ideas because they reduce costs, time to market, and the effort required by developers without needing expertise in programming languages.
For small businesses:
Low-code development is helpful for small companies that want to innovate but don't have the money or people dedicated to coding.
An example of this is chatbots created by many companies at a reasonable cost and minimum time compared with traditional bots that need developers dedicated to the backend code.
Low Code Development Process
Developers can use low-code development platforms to create applications using visual editors based on drag and drop.
When using this type of tool, application builders do not need to know how it works behind the scenes because the platform can understand what they want to achieve even without writing one line of code or performing complicated configurations.
The process is as simple as dragging and dropping the components required to build the application.
It is also possible to use document editors, decision tables, or wizards to help users create requirements faster than traditional tools.
Companies such as IBM and OutSystems are examples of companies that offer low code development platforms for businesses.
In addition, low-code development platforms have been around for some time and have constantly been evolving.
This makes the technology more accessible because it reduces the learning curve that existed when it was introduced.
Key Features of Low code development platforms
Low code development platforms have three main features.
They are:
1. Non-programmers can use them to build apps
2. No need for backend coding skills to connect the apps to backend systems like databases, cloud, or on-premise applications(like SAP)
3. Many components are available out of the box, which you can drag and drop into your apps without writing code.
You can find a list of low-code development platforms here.
Low Code vs. Agile vs. Waterfall
There is a debate that has been going on for years: low code vs. Agile vs. Waterfall.
To some, low code software development tools are the solution to all of our problems – but there is little evidence showing how they can be used in an agile environment.
On the other hand, Agile seems to be the exact opposite.
It's all about value and delivering business value quickly – whether that means low or high code.
So is there a solution?
Well, yes, but it depends on what you're trying to solve for (and maybe more importantly, how you define "solution").
Let's look at the low code vs. agile debate, examine which is suitable for you and what the definition of "solution" really means.
Low code development tools are 'middleware.'
That is to say that they sit between high-code solutions (like Visual Studio, Eclipse, or even Microsoft Office) and code-less solutions (like spreadsheet macros or Keynote presentations).
There is a place for all of these tools in software development and an appropriate time to use them.
Low code has the advantage that it can dramatically increase developer efficiency by automating complex processes and making enhancements much more accessible than they would be without the tooling.
This makes it ideal for business users and developers to collaborate and iteratively build out prototypes and MVPs without having to face the steep learning curve that comes with high code.
Low code can also be used in Agile environments because lower-level coding skills are not required.
But low code development tools should only be used when they make sense.
This means that it's vital to incorporate user experience into the development process early on rather than after a significant investment in time and money is made – which can be pretty challenging for designers and developers.
The Definition of Solution Is Different For Everyone
There are two distinct meanings to "solution" – a solution as a product and a process.
Low code is an excellent solution for businesses looking to deliver software quickly – but it's not necessarily the best approach for everyone.
First, let's look at the "solution as a product" concept of low code.
It makes sense why this type of software has been gaining popularity recently: businesses, entrepreneurs, and developers want to create functional, interactive apps quickly.
The low code approach makes it easier to visualize how a product will function without spending time on something as trivial as the user interface.
This allows businesses to create an MVP or prototype much faster than traditional development tools requiring UX design and coding skills.
There are a few problems with this approach, though.
One is that it takes a lot of time and effort to create the "low code" product itself – which means you're investing time in something that may change later on.
The user experience may not be entirely right from the beginning, but then again, how often do things go exactly as planned?
Another problem with this type of development is that UX can't be effectively replaced, even with a good UI design.
Good user experience design is the process of solving problems for users through consistency and intuitiveness.
It is designed to help a user complete a task that doesn't require too many steps or an in-depth learning curve.
This is something that no development team can create in a week or month with low code tools, even if they are experts.
Low Code vs. No Code
Low code and no code are two terms that are commonly used in the technology industry today.
A low-code application may not necessarily be no code. As mentioned before, it is a less complex way for developers to build applications than traditional systems.
A no-code application does not require coding because you need to drag and drop functionalities that you want to use or change to fit your needs.
A software development platform that does not require coding is desirable for entrepreneurs who want to create something quickly.
Still, they never need to know how it works behind the scenes or if they can integrate with other systems.
No Code Platforms
There are many tutorials about no-code platforms on the Internet, which show you how to build an application step by step and help you start your own business.
One of the most popular no-code development tools is Zapier, which can connect many services such as Gmail, Slack, or Zendesk without programming.
Another example is IFTTT (If This Then That), a graphical interface for users to automate tasks on a particular app.
These platforms are helpful because they show how easy it is to create a business with little or no prior knowledge of coding, and they can be used not only by entrepreneurs but also by the companies that have the budget.
Low code development platforms for Citizen Developers
Citizen Developers very often use these low code development systems.
A Citizen Developer is an employee of the company who has no formal background in either software development or IT.
Because most companies do not want to hire both backend and frontend developers, they use these low code platforms, which allow non-programmers to build apps.
Citizen developers are people who have learned to develop apps using these low code platforms.
I often call them "T-Shaped Developers. "
They can program up to a certain level, but they are not experts in backend development or frontend development.
It's like Steve Jobs said:
"Design is how it works."
The real power of Citizen Developers is that they can use any business data to build apps without getting involved in the technical details.
No back-end programming knowledge is needed to connect an app to back-end systems, so it's much cheaper for companies to have their employees build apps rather than hiring dedicated front-end or back-end developers.
Low code for professional developers
Professional developers can also use low code platforms.
They require less coding and offer high productivity compared to procedural programming, especially in business process management.
A lot of companies that use traditional development methods still use low code development environments.
IBM Cognos Express is an excellent example of a tool popular with both Citizen Developers and professional developers.
Low Code Development Platforms for Business Users
Business users very often use low code development platforms.
When picking a low code platform, you should think about your company's most influential user groups.
A lot of these systems also offer drag and drop apps to be used by almost everyone in the company.
Low code development systems are very often used by Citizen Developers who want to build apps quickly.
You can also find low code frontend tools that fit your needs better if you need highly customizable frontend apps, like Salesforce.
Low Code for the mobile apps development process
Low code platforms are also used for mobile apps development.
Most of the low code systems mentioned above offer ready-to-use components for mobile apps with a native look and feel.
Using these pre-defined components, you can build your first version of your app in less than three months without writing any backend or frontier MVP.
Disadvantages of Low Code
The main disadvantage is that it does not allow access to all the backend code.
There is a risk that a company could need a particular function that only the programming language can do, then it will have to hire developers with expertise in it.
A leading Product Strategy says that:
Depending on the platform, you might not always be able to access all backend code.
In some cases, companies may need to hire specialist coders if they encounter a requirement that low-code tools cannot accommodate.
Conclusion:
A low code development platform s a good alternative for start-ups and small businesses that do not have the resources to invest in traditional apps.
Larger companies can use low code platforms as practical tools for developing an MVP quickly, and, if necessary, they can hire frontend developers to build it further on.
