Low-code development isn’t entirely new. Rapid application development tools have been around for some time now. Although it is only recently that low-code solutions have become as advanced as they are today.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge in the use of low-code development platforms. And market researchers expect the industry to reach $125.8 billion by 2027.
If you want to learn more about when to use low-code for your business, keep reading!
What Is Low-Code Development?
Low-code development is a method of software development that requires minimal coding.
For some professionals in the software industry, the idea of delivering a software product without having to write several thousand lines of code is hard to accept.
At the same time, if there weren’t obvious benefits to this model of development, you probably wouldn’t be here. And learning about this topic would be futile. But that isn’t the case, is it?
Low-code development offers a streamlined way to take control of the software development process. The time-to-value margin of this approach is frankly unparalleled.
Though there are some limitations, developers and non-developers alike are able to deliver fully-fledged software by using non-complex tooling.
Note that low-code development often shares space with the term ‘low-code and no-code development‘.
When these buzz words are used in unison, it refers to the same comprehension — an approach to development that relies on little to no coding for software development.
But if low-code development is averse to actual code, then what does this approach rely on? You’ll soon find out!
What Is a Low-Code Development Platform
Low-code development takes place via low-code development platforms (LCDP). However, an LCDP is drastically different from the standard integrated development environments (IDEs) that a practiced developer might use to write, test, and debug code.
A low-code development platform is a development environment that utilizes a graphical user interface (GUI) for application development.
The key phrase here is ‘graphical user interface’. That is to say, that LCDPs are highly visual. Drag-and-drop editors are your friend in low-code development platforms. Or at least, they’re more friendly than code when it comes to low-code solutions.
Platforms sometimes allow for additional coding so you can get the perks of express customization. But on the whole, the goal is to save as much time as possible by mitigating the need for traditional programming.
Both citizen developers and professional developers use low-code development platforms. Citizen developers in particular are characterized by a lack of expertise.
Thus, low-code development empowers people of all experience levels to create functional and adaptable technology.
Advantages of Low-Code Development
The advantages of low-code development speak to its proficiency in solving common IT issues. Review the advantages of low-code development below to better understand the utility of LCDPs.
Rapid Delivery
First and foremost, one of the biggest advantages of low-code development is speed. With a low-code development platform, you can build applications in the blink of any eye.
Though this is a bit of an exaggeration, the true capacity of low-code development is no joke. The visual tooling and smart components applications that are integral to low-code development have the potential to revamp development for the better.
Really, it already has. In 2020, 37% of developers were using or planning to use low-code products.
Scalability Potential
Many businesses use low-code solutions to design internal systems and automation workflows. In the long term, this can have a grand effect on business growth.
Ultimately, low-code development sets the stage for companies to scale easier, faster, and more efficiently.
On another note, low-code development urges developers to make continuous improvements to their software products due to its speedy nature. This type of maintainability plays a big role in agile development, a software methodology that is well-respected in the industry.
Easy Data Integration
In the same vein, low-code development makes for seamless data integration. Data integration has become a hot topic in recent years. Consequently, finding the right data integration tools is of utmost importance to scaling businesses.
Data integration permits businesses to sync relevant software into comprehensive tooling. Unfortunately, this tends to get quite complicated.
IT outsourcing agencies like Trio offer technologies like low-code development platforms to aid interested professionals in taking matters into their own hands.
Disadvantages of Low-Code Development
Naturally, every good thing comes at a price. Take a look at the following disadvantage of low-code development to see if this approach is truly right for you.
Security Risk
Working with a low-code development platform by definition means you’re not using your own tools. When you don’t use your own tools, there is some uncertainty about who owns the final product.
Finding your zen when it comes to letting go of control is one thing, but ownership discrepancies can pose security risks. Since you do not have access to the source code, you will never be entirely sure of the vulnerability of your apps.
The best way to alleviate this issue is to research the platform you decide to use with extreme caution. Choose wisely.
Limited Customization
There is only so much you can do with a drag-and-drop editor. Low-code development platforms will not have every feature available to you, only the most common ones.
Whereas if you code your apps in the traditional manner, the world is really your oyster. Of course, you have to hire qualified developers to triumph in this way.
Some LCDPS do give users the option for a minor amount of coding, just so you can get some functionality when you really want it. Look out for these platforms customizability is your thing.
Management Challenges
Although you’ve probably never heard of it, Shadow IT is a reoccurring complication for many IT teams. And in some ways, low-code and no-code development is at fault.
Shadow IT is when a department or individual in charge of IT procedures is not expertly familiar with the technology they’re using. Due to the modern consumerization of IT, this is not at all uncommon.
When it comes to low-code development, citizen developers tend to make applications with deficiencies and then turn them over to an IT department with no one being any the wiser.
In these cases, more oversight is necessary to ensure those responsible for creating software take full responsibility after the fact.
What Are the Main Uses of Low-Code Development?
Once upon a time, technological needs only had two ways of being met. But low-code development has had a great effect on what is possible for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
In the past, SMBs looked to external teams to update and maintain their information technology (IT) systems. Because they did not have the resources within their own company, this would often require IT staff augmentation.
Large companies are more able to circumvent. More resources mean more capital to spend on hiring a dedicated team.
Still, even well-grounded businesses often employ software development partners. Internal teams do not always have the specialization necessary to complete a certain task.
As a result, the justifications for using low-code development is fairly simple to understand. Businesses need to build applications fast, and without sacrificing their budget.
Of course, given the challenges of low-code development this approach does not apply to every single situation.
Here are a few use cases where low-code development makes sense:
- small-scale automation
- analytics
- web and mobile sites
- mobile apps
- customer portals
- configuration and device set-up
The above list demonstrates how low-code development can help optimize your daily automation and also increase customer outreach efforts.
Conclusion
Low-code development is a promising industry for IT teams and even non-developers to take advantage of. Despite its reputation, there is much to gain from this approach.
If employed, you will undoubtedly see an increase in productivity in the workplace. And your business itself will prosper from the tooling you build, whether it’s a data integration you seek or a simple mobile app.
To find out more about how your business can use low-code development, talk to Trio today!
