Low-code development is a way to quickly build applications through visual programming tools and pre-built components. Its core idea is to allow developers to focus on business logic rather than tedious coding by minimizing the amount of handwritten code. In today's digital age, developing applications quickly and efficiently is critical to business success. However, the traditional hand-coded development process can introduce complexity, high costs, and extended development cycles. Fortunately, the rise of low-code development technologies has brought new solutions to these challenges.
With low-code platform development, developers can take advantage of an intuitive graphical interface and drag-and-drop operations to build the front-end and back-end functionality of an application. Pre-built components and modules further simplify the development process, eliminating the need for developers to develop every detail from scratch, thus greatly improving development efficiency.
I. Overview
Inconsistent with the direct module drag-and-drop programming, the low-code PAAS platform adopts the object method to realize the fields and API field types, and introduces RPA to realize automatic table modeling; then use the selection method to select and define the function of the lot, and even insert codes customize. Using the same front-end and back-end technology, it can realize the function of modifying the function application while using it.
2. Detailed introduction of the 10 core engine functions of the low-code platform:
1. Modeling engine:
Based on model-driven, built-in powerful modeling engine, zero code can quickly create intelligent and mobile enterprise applications.
business object
Business objects are equivalent to tables in the database and are used to store core data in the business system.
Create business objects, set the relationship between business objects and configure business fields, including numbers, text, dates, drop-down boxes, check boxes, etc.
Configure switches to enable built-in features like attachments, field history, comments, etc.
list view
By configuring the list view, end users can quickly switch between multiple query conditions.
A business object can have multiple list views
You can choose the fields that need to be displayed on the list page
Set filter criteria, sort by, and default filter fields
End users can clone and customize the list view.
Page Layout
The page layout controls how records are displayed, and different page layouts can be assigned according to user permissions
You can select fields, set grouping, and adjust the order of fields
You can set the operation buttons and sub-tables displayed on the interface
You can control the user's authority to operate the data, and set the field as read-only or required.
2. Model-driven interface:
Based on the business model, dynamically generate the front-end operation interface of business data.
list view
Browse, filter, edit business data in list view
Users can only view records within the scope of authorization
Filter business data
Double-click a cell for quick editing
Export business data to Excel
record viewing view
Displays the current record details, along with related subtable data
Different page layouts can be configured for different users
Double-click a field for quick editing
Upload and download attachments
Browse, create related child table records
Browse and add comments
Show developer custom action button
3. Low code engine:
Developers only need to write a small amount of code to implement personalized business logic.
trigger
When the server performs data addition, deletion, modification and query, it automatically triggers the business logic defined by the developer
Start before and after the addition, deletion, modification and query of data
Write business logic, perform calculations or update related business data
Write business logic, call the interface of the third-party system, query or update business data
action button
On the basis of basic addition, deletion and modification buttons, add custom operation buttons for business objects.
Set button and display position (list page, detail page)
Write javascript to realize the specific business logic of the button, such as popping up the editing interface, calling the remote API interface, etc.
Controlling when a button is displayed via javascript
server API
Customize the server-side API to realize personalized business logic
For all business objects, dynamic APIs are automatically generated for third-party business system calls
Developers can write custom APIs to realize personalized business operations.
4. Mobile application:
message push
When there is a new pending item, the mobile client will automatically pop up a push reminder
Documents to be reviewed, tasks to be done, and announcements
Developer custom push message
5. Process engine:
It covers various tools such as process design, process operation, management and maintenance, statistical analysis and process optimization, etc., to help enterprises quickly deploy, effectively monitor and continuously optimize business processes.
Process approval
Three-in-one operation interface of computer, tablet, and mobile phone, processing to-do files anytime, anywhere
Application form filling and submission for approval, rejection, circulation, forwarding, re-approval, relocation
Online editing of attachments, entrusted processing functions, batch approval functions, image signature functions
Process Design
Graphical process design tool, you can create business processes by dragging and dropping
Support filling, approval, countersignature, condition judgment and other node types
The approver can be associated with the form field, and automatically searched according to the approval position table,
Can be manually selected at process runtime
Fields that can be modified in each step of the process can be defined
Support version management, the modification process does not affect the application forms that have been initiated and ended
Seamless connection with business data
With simple configuration, two-way synchronization between the approval form and the business ledger can be realized
The approval process is automatically archived and entered into the ledger: for example, the contract approval is completed and entered into the contract ledger.
Initiate approval from the ledger: For example, initiate the contract acceptance process from the contract ledger.
The Webhook mechanism can call third-party system interfaces on specified nodes.
6. Report engine:
Business personnel can also configure powerful statistical reports without the help of developers.
report design
Visual interface, business personnel can independently configure statistical reports and analyze business data
Data list, group report
Pivot chart (two-dimensional table), histogram
Export business data to Excel
Can write javascript to develop complex reports
report display
Automatically filter report data according to current user permissions, and dynamically display business statistical results
View statistics and histograms
Specify filter criteria to filter data PivotChart
It can realize data drill-down and statistical data export to Excel
7. Security engine:
Supports private deployment mode, using the advanced Internet security technology currently available.
Access rights management
For different roles, access permissions can be set in the system to control different levels of data such as accessible objects, fields, or records of different user roles to ensure platform security. It is also possible to create custom rules across roles and profiles to share data with targeted users at any time.
Authentication
Ensure that each employee, partner and customer has a single and reliable identity throughout the system, and use it as their unique identifier for logging in to the website or application, thereby improving the security of the platform.
8. Application integration engine
Preset 3 000+ application integration plug-ins, which can easily connect IoT devices, APIs and online services together.
Through the visual development interface, connect to mainstream business systems such as SAP and various databases.
9. Page engine
Provide visual page design tools to help developers quickly define new pages such as data dashboards and support the reconstruction of system standard pages.
10. Formula engine
Complete implementation of all functions in the Salesforce formula engine.
3. Features and functions of the low-code platform
As a key component to support low-code development, the low-code platform has several unique features and functions, including:
Visual development environment: Low-code platforms provide an intuitive graphical interface that allows developers to build applications visually without in-depth coding.
Automation tools: Low-code platforms have built-in automation processes that simplify complex development tasks, such as automated testing, database integration, etc., thereby accelerating the development process.
Templates: Low-code platforms provide pre-built templates that can be used to create specific types of applications, reducing development time and effort.
Integration: Low-code platforms allow for seamless integration with existing systems and third-party services, providing applications with broader functionality.
Rapid deployment: Platforms usually provide convenient deployment functions, making it a breeze to bring applications online.
4. Application scenarios and advantages of low-code platforms
Low-code development techniques perform well in many application scenarios and bring many advantages to enterprises:
Rapid development: Low-code platforms enable enterprises to develop applications faster, shorten development cycles, and help enterprises meet market needs more quickly.
Reduced development costs: Less hand-written code and faster development means businesses can reduce development costs during the application development process.
Improve development efficiency: Through visual development and pre-built components, low-code platforms can improve development efficiency, allowing developers to focus more on business logic and user experience.
Reduced errors: Low-code platforms eliminate typos and grammatical errors that are common in handwritten code, reducing potential bugs and improving the quality of applications.
Accelerated application releases: With faster development, applications can go live faster, enabling businesses to respond more quickly to market changes.
Five, the advantages of low code
Improve development efficiency: The low-code platform provides a visual interface and prefabricated components, allowing developers to quickly build applications, thereby shortening the development cycle.
Reduced development costs: Using a low-code platform reduces the need for developers as deep programming skills are not required and reduces errors and duplication of effort.
Ease of maintenance and upgrades: Since most low-code platforms are cloud-based, they can be easily maintained and upgraded without installing software on local computers.
Improve reusability: Low-code platforms provide reusable components and modules, making it easier for developers to reuse code, thereby increasing application reusability.
6. Disadvantages of low code
Limited flexibility: Since low-code platforms provide pre-made components and templates, some specific functions or designs may not be possible in some cases.
Security concerns: Using low-code platforms can lead to security risks as some platforms may have vulnerabilities or insecure code.
Provider Dependency: Using a low-code platform can make you dependent on the platform provider. If that provider breaks down or ceases operations, you may need to rebuild your application.
Difficulty meeting advanced needs: For some advanced needs, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, low-code platforms may not provide sufficient support.
Low-code platform project development process
The appeal of low-code platforms is that almost anyone can develop apps. Citizen developers (employees in your organization who don't necessarily have technical or programming expertise) can quickly and efficiently build applications on low-code platforms.