What Is Low-code Development?
As the name suggests, low-code development refers to software development using tools that require a few technical skills and knowledge about coding. Such coding can be done by junior as well as experienced developers. However, one does not need to possess high-end knowledge about writing complicated codes while building applications.
Low-code development helps software developers design and develop applications at a faster rate with little hand-coding required. It largely requires you to use drag-and-drop tools consisting of pre-written codes to build applications, saving a good amount of the developers’ time.
Essentially, low-code development is similar to traditional software development along with a few shortcuts. Low-code development tools are used for building applications that may not require complex coding but still require the developers to have basic coding knowledge to scale the applications as required.
Generally, a low-code development tool has three major components:
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Graphical User Interface – This is a drag-and-drop user interface that helps developers in defining inputs, outputs, and other necessary operations.
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Integrations For I/O – A large chunk of business data is often stored in databases. Low-code development platforms provide these databases with relevant interfaces. In most cases, software platforms expose output through APIs, websites, or applications. Low-code tools help developers build this output functionality with ease and efficiency.
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Application Manager – This is the component that overlooks the patching, updating, installation, and access of the software to be developed using a low-code development tool.
What Is No-code Development?
As opposed to low-code development, no-code development refers to the development process using tools that do not require developers to have any technical knowledge about coding and programming. It makes software development democratic by allowing almost anyone with the right tools to design and build applications.
No-code development tools provide users with simple drag-and-drop functionality that can be used for building websites, back-office solutions, mobile applications, and more in the simplest way possible. This eliminates the need for businesses to rely on professional developers and development companies for designing and building software applications.
However, the simplicity offered by no-code development is also a major drawback for development. As the majority of the development framework of these tools is pre-determined by the developers who built them, it limits the ability of the concerned applications to be customized. This often leads to security gaps and other issues that are not healthy for a robust business application.
While no-code applications are extremely easy to build, they are difficult to scale. These software platforms offer little to no scalability to users. If you are willing to build an application that is basic in its structure and does need to be scaled in the future, you can build it using no-code development tools.
Common Uses Of Low-code Development
Building Apps On New Platforms
Businesses willing to build applications on new platforms using new technologies like VR and AR often use low-code development tools for app development. Building apps on these platforms often allows businesses to increase KPIs like customer retention, customer satisfaction, high ROI, and more.
Building MVPs
Minimum viable products (MVPs) are basic versions of applications containing fundamental tools and features. These versions are created to obtain feedback about the concerned applications for the changes to be made in the future. Most developers go the low-code way in building MVPs for software applications.
Building Operational Efficiency Apps
Operational efficiency apps are the applications that help users streamline their businesses processes by automating them. Also known as smart process applications, these apps are often built using low-code development tools.
Common Uses Of No-code Development
Building BI Reporting Applications
Business analysts and researchers often work with business intelligence (BI) platforms and reporting tools that allow them to assess business data. Most developers build BI reporting applications using no-code development tools. The easy and sustainable approach to development provides businesses with apps that give real-time insights into their processes.
Legacy Migration Apps
These applications allow users to switch from traditional software platforms to their modern counterparts. Several businesses prefer developing legacy migration apps using no-code development tools as they help them save time, money, and effort required for app development.
Data Management Apps
In the age of digitization, data management applications have become a necessity for businesses operating at all scales. By using no-code development tools, businesses often build applications that help them connect their data sources to databases like MySQL, MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and more. As these applications do not require much time and effort in being developed, it makes data management easier.
Differences Between Low-code And No-code Development
Technical Knowledge
In the case of low-code development, developers need to have some knowledge about coding, programming languages, and development. However, they need not be top-notch experts in complex development. On the other hand, no-code development does not require the developers to have any technical knowledge about coding and programming. They can build apps by following simple instructions and using drag-and-drop tools.
Scope For Customization
Applications built using low-code development tools are relatively more customizable as they require some amount of technical know-how and skills to make changes. On the other hand, no-code development rarely allows you to customize your applications as they are built using code already written by someone else.
Scalability
Low-code applications provide relatively more scalability to users as it requires a little bit of coding and programming. However, these software platforms are not as scalable as the ones built completely using manual coding practices. On the other hand, no-code applications provide little to no scalability to users as they cannot make any changes to the code used for building the concerned software applications.
Complexity Of Applications
Low-code development allows you to make relatively more complex applications that can be used for streamlining complicated business processes. On the other hand, no-code applications are often used for building simpler applications with basic functionalities.
Security
When you build an application using low-code development tools, you can enhance the security of the software by making necessary changes as you are more in control of the application. On the other hand, apps built using no-code development tools often suffer from vulnerabilities and security issues as the developer is in little to no control of the application.
Benefits Of Low-code And No-code Development
Here are some of the major benefits offered by low-code and no-code (LC/NC) development:
Better Speed
One of the biggest benefits of LC/NC development is that it allows developers to build software platforms at a faster speed. As you are not required to spend hours writing manual codes and programming the application to be built, you can get the work done faster. Along with developing an application, it also allows you to make relevant changes to an existing application at a faster rate.
Cost-effective Development
Especially in the case of startups and SMEs, businesses can rarely afford to hire skilled professionals who are capable of manual coding. With the help of LC/NC development, they can design, develop, and deploy software applications without spending a fortune. Even if you are hiring professional developers to build apps using the LC/NC approach, you can save money as their work hours would be reduced to a great extent.
Faster Deliveries
If your client needs a software application to be built in a limited amount of time, you cannot depend on manual coding and programming for developing the application. In such cases, going the LC/NC way helps you deliver the project faster without making any compromises. Moreover, timely deliveries help you build healthy relations with your clients.
High ROI
Especially in the case of low-code development, developers can build robust applications at a considerably lower cost. If the app is used well, it can be used to drive home a decent revenue, providing the business with a higher ROI.
Major Drawbacks Of LC/NC Development
Here are a few major shortcomings of LC/NC development:
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Issues In Integration – Most LC/NC applications face difficulties in being integrated with suitable third-party services. This refrains you from providing a unified experience to the users.
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Lack Of Skills – No matter how good the application is, LC/NC development does not demand advanced skills possessed by competent developers.
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Customization Issues – Although low-code apps are relatively more customizable, their look, feel, and functionality cannot be altered completely as per your needs and preferences.
The Final Word
These were some of the benefits, uses, and differences between low-code and no-code development. The LC/NC approach to software development has brought in a revolution in the IT sector by allowing more and more developers to come on board and use their creativity for building responsive and powerful applications.
