Table of contents
Low-code development platforms have become important tools for enterprise digital transformation and application development. They provide a way to quickly create and deploy applications without writing a lot of code. By using low-code platforms, businesses can launch new products and services faster, increase productivity and reduce development costs.
The State of Low-Code Platforms
Recently, I have studied some low-code platforms, focusing on "code generation" low-code (that is, the kind that generates applications that can be exported and deployed independently), and the reason is very simple. species) are actually almost the same, whichever one you use seems to be the same. The "code generation" platforms studied include Mendix and Outsystems, and domestically, there are iVX, Netease Qingzhou, Haojing Lingxi, Wuyuan, Niu Dao, Movable Type, etc.
During the research process, a major problem was discovered, that is, the current low-code platforms focus on the "accumulation of functions". Many platforms seem to have many functions. In fact, these functions are scattered and stacked. There will be various problems such as cumbersome operation process, difficult maintenance, and cross-control. It seems that when bidding, there are some functional points and other functional points, but the actual operation is not the same thing at all. Including awesome foreign products, if you want to make a simple application, you need to open more than ten different pages to complete it, some dozens; some are packaged into different types of sub-tools. In China, I dare not look directly at it. Repeating a small application and just drawing a flowchart will exhaust people to death. It is a very simple process. I dare not imagine, if it is a complicated application, how can such a complicated process be installed in a small drawing board? And there are about a dozen different windows, and some of them even need to click down to the 4th or 5th floor to complete the operation.
There are various reasons why problems can pile up like this:
- At present, the development of projects in China is mostly based on the splicing of open source products (similar to large and small factories). Therefore, it is inevitable that many functions will not be used, and many functions overlap, which is unnatural;
- In order to win the bid or add later, many functions are stacked into the system, making the system more and more large and usability declining;
- Product design has not undergone in-depth verification and thinking, and everyone copied each other; for example, using a flow chart to implement logic, this itself has great limitations, and everyone is doing it now.
There is no good stuff without innovative "patchwork"
The basic steps of developing software in China are as follows:
First look for open source products (take a look at git) to see if there are any similar ones. If so, find them and change them; You can find a lot of related frameworks and similar open source products; finally, do technology selection, and "build up" all the found open source frameworks, front and back, like building blocks, and the product structure will be completed. After the project is completed quickly, the functions and performances are tinkered with according to the requirements of customers or leaders.
Perhaps for some small and medium-sized projects that require fast delivery, this can be done. But I found that many large-scale platforms and technology-based projects also do this. Recently, I have seen a lot of low-code platforms, all of which are made in this way, and even the positions of icons on several platforms are the same.
The biggest feature of these platforms is the "stacking function", which is a low-code platform for "function acceptance or bidding documents". It is difficult to operate and use on the screen, and sometimes there may even be a conflict of logic control. Such a platform is actually very difficult to make a slightly more complex project, even with the templates they provide.
If it is really an IDE-type low-code, it is difficult to produce a good product in a short period of time. In comparison: iVX (unified and powerful), Movable Type (Microsoft), and Wuyuan (php) that are more than ten years old will be better.
I finally chose iVX.
What is the ivx platform
IVXThe low-code platform is the first general-purpose no-code development platform in China, designed to help enterprises and individuals quickly develop and deploy enterprise-level applications. The platform provides a range of visual tools and pre-built components that enable developers to create applications through drag-and-drop, configuration and customization. With a IVXlow- code platform, users can quickly develop and deploy applications, increasing productivity, reducing costs, and accelerating innovation.
Universal
refers to the universality of the platform, which is suitable for almost all application development scenarios and supports running on all operating systems.
Supported operating systems: browser WebApp, Android/iOS, mini programs, mini games, DingTalk, Win/Mac/Linux, also supports the latest domestic Hongmeng.
Supported development scenarios: support medium and large complex applications (based on code-free logical arrangement engine), e-commerce, big data applications, forms, workflow, Bi, task flow, OA system, industrial Internet of Things, games, websites, video applications , IM and so on.
No-code
iVX provides an "atomic-level" component system, supports users' "custom components", and cooperates with Turing's complete "logic editing engine/panel", which can realize the "no-code" development of the front and back of almost all applications.
Development Platform (Application Portability)
Applications developed by iVX can be deployed independently from iVX. In other words, for developers, iVX is a "code generator". It is no different from handwritten code, and can be deployed arbitrarily without the iVX platform, while most other "low-code" platforms do not have this "development platform" attribute and can only be used within the platform.
The first one
we have not found similar platforms at home and abroad, and the best Mendix/Outsystems at this stage can only be called "low-code" development platforms (there is no "code-free expression of complex logic") ; However, many domestic products cannot be counted as "development platforms" because they do not have the ability to generate independent applications that can be exported and deployed.
The difference between ivx and other platforms
Different product ideas
The compiled type (iVX) solves general problems; the interface type (others) solves problems in the field
The compiled product iVX will be more low-level. iVX can also develop products similar to Bi engine, workflow, and form, which can be found on the website (as follows)
This Bi engine developed by iVX can also customize echart components
different users
iVX users are programmers or collectively referred to as developers (non-business personnel); interface-type users are "business personnel", if they are not satisfied, they will be developed by programmers. To put it simply: the interface type provides a SaaS product or platform that can be further developed; while the compiled type provides a complete development system.
learning value is different
For example, iVX is a new programming language with high learning value; interface-type products can only be assembled within the framework of this product, and there are many products of the same type.
The scope of application is different
The compiled type can develop a wider field; the interface type is mainly used to develop "enterprise internal process management system".
With or without frame restrictions
The compiled type can be connected to any system and framework, including the code products of the interface type; the interface type can only be expanded under the framework of its own product, and is not compatible with others.
The interface-type low-code framework is exclusive and can only be extended within the framework. How do you understand it? Just look at the two pictures below.
The interface-type low-code platform already has its own framework, such as users, permissions, etc., so all new applications to be added must be implemented in this framework. In fact, you cannot jump out of this framework. framed. Moreover, it is impossible to connect between various low-code platforms. Compiled products do not have this problem. The granularity of development is the same as that of programming languages, without framework restrictions, and can also cooperate with current low-code platforms.
Generally speaking, if you are a business student, the interface class can be used directly, which will be more convenient; if you are a development student, it is recommended to learn the first type of "compiled" products, which are more valuable. There are no advantages or disadvantages between the two approaches, but the problems they solve are different.
iVX has been built for more than ten years, and almost all the solutions are customized by itself. Although it seems that the development time is a little longer, the interior of the product appears to be coordinated and unified. On the whole, iVX should have the best "product integration capability". There are only 5 large windows in total, and the deepest 1-level pop-up window. This is what an IDE should look like, and it is much better in design than other low-code platforms.
Summarize
The ivx low-code platform is relatively mature and has gathered millions of developers, which proves the wide applicability and outstanding value of the platform. This is the real productivity tool, a C-end productivity product.
If a programmer learns ivx development, it will take about 1 week to two weeks, and if it is a novice, it may take 1 month to 2 months, but the learning cycle is much shorter than learning various programming languages and frameworks. After studying, it can provide great help for self-improvement and employment.