Is low code your thing? How does traditional programming deal with the challenges of low-code? What are some good low-code platforms?

Low-code development is an increasingly popular approach to software development that aims to lower the barriers to programming by simplifying and accelerating the application development process. As technology advances and the need for fast delivery increases, low-code platforms provide an environment to quickly build applications without in-depth programming knowledge, allowing non-expert developers to participate in application development.

1. What is low code?

The definition and characteristics of low code

Low-code development platforms allow users to quickly create applications through a drag-and-drop interface, visual operations, and a small amount of coding. This kind of platform usually provides pre-built modules, component libraries, automatically generated code and other functions, allowing developers to quickly assemble and customize applications. Its main features include:

Lower technical barriers to entry: No deep programming knowledge is required to create applications.

Accelerate development: Accelerate application development and iteration through visual interfaces and modular components.

Easy to integrate: Allows integration of external services and APIs to extend application functionality.

Enhance business and IT collaboration: Make it easier for non-technical staff and development teams to collaborate and respond quickly to business needs.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Low Code

Advantages of low code

Rapid development and deployment: Reduces development cycles and accelerates application rollout. For example: Use the visual interface to quickly drag and drop components to build a page, such as creating a data collection application in Microsoft Power Apps.

Business understandability: Enables non-technical people to participate in application development and promotes communication between business and technology.

Reduced costs: Reduces the need for professional programmers and saves development costs.

Easy to modify and extend: Can be modified and iterated quickly to adapt to changes in business needs.

Disadvantages of low code

Limited Flexibility and Customization: Some platforms may be limited by the components and functionality provided, making it difficult to meet certain customization needs.

Performance and security issues: Automatically generated code may have performance and security risks.

Platform vendor dependency: Using a specific low-code platform can make an enterprise dependent on that vendor, which may be difficult to migrate or switch.

3. Do you think low-code will replace traditional programming?

The emergence of low-code development does not mean to completely replace traditional programming, but exists as a supplement and auxiliary tool. Although the low-code platform can lower the development threshold, improve development efficiency, and enable non-professional developers to participate in application development, it cannot completely replace traditional programming.

Advantages of low code

The emergence of low-code development platforms has brought many advantages, making it a technology of great concern in the field of modern software development. Here are the main benefits of low-code development, with a detailed explanation of each:

1. Lower the technical threshold

One of the biggest advantages of low-code platforms is that it lowers the technical threshold for software development. It does not require developers to have in-depth programming knowledge and allows even non-professional users to participate in the application development process. Through an intuitive visual interface, drag-and-drop operations, and preset components and modules, users can create applications more easily.

2. Speed up development

Low-code platforms reduce manual coding time during the development process by providing a large number of pre-made modules and components that automatically generate parts of the code. Developers do not need to write every line of code from scratch, but can quickly assemble and customize existing components, greatly speeding up application development and shortening the time to go online.

3. Promote business and technical collaboration

Low-code development provides a more friendly development environment, making it easier for non-technical people and technical people to communicate and collaborate. Business people can express their needs and ideas more clearly, and development teams can understand and implement these needs more intuitively, strengthening collaboration between business and technology.

4. Enhance business flexibility and rapid response capabilities

Low-code platforms make it easier to modify and iterate on applications. When business needs change or new requirements arise, developers can quickly adjust and update applications, quickly respond to market changes, and improve the flexibility and adaptability of enterprises.

5. Improve efficiency and reduce costs

With the help of low-code platforms, development teams can develop applications more quickly, reducing human resources and time costs in the development process. As the workload of manual coding is reduced, the dependence of developers is reduced, thereby effectively reducing development costs.

6. Provide visual and easy-to-maintain applications

Low-code platforms often provide powerful visual interfaces, and the resulting applications are easier to understand and maintain. Developers and managers can intuitively understand the structure and functions of the application through the visual interface, which facilitates subsequent maintenance and management.

Therefore, low-code development has many advantages and can bring many conveniences to enterprises and developers. However, despite these advantages of low-code development, it does not mean that it is suitable for all scenarios. When choosing whether to adopt low-code development, you need to weigh factors such as the complexity of the project, the need for customization, and the required performance and security.

Advantages of traditional programming

As a contrast to low-code development, traditional programming has its own unique advantages, especially in handling complex tasks and requirements. Here are the advantages of traditional programming, with a detailed explanation of each:

1. High degree of customization and flexibility

Traditional programming allows developers to write custom code based on specific needs to achieve highly customized functions and logic. Whether dealing with complex business logic, designing specific algorithms, or implementing highly personalized user interfaces, traditional programming can provide more flexible and customized solutions.

2. Handle complex tasks and algorithms

Some complex tasks and algorithms, such as big data processing, machine learning, artificial intelligence and other fields, require deep optimization and high degree of control of the underlying algorithms. Traditional programming provides more flexibility and precision, allowing developers to write high-performance and efficient code based on specific needs.

3. Provide higher performance and security

Traditional programming can be more deeply optimized for performance and security. By directly writing the underlying code, developers can better control resource utilization, code execution efficiency, and data security, ensuring the high performance and stability of applications.

4. Support more platforms and languages

Traditional programming languages and development tools cover various platforms and technology stacks, allowing developers to choose the most suitable language and tools based on specific needs. This flexibility makes traditional programming more suitable for specific domains or special requirements.

5. Long-term maintainability and scalability

Code written through traditional programming means is generally easier to understand and maintain. Developers can gain a deeper understanding of the logic and structure of the code, making it easier to modify, extend, and maintain it, making it more sustainable.

6. More development freedom and control

Traditional programming gives developers greater freedom and control. Developers can choose the best solution based on their experience and skills, gain a deeper understanding of underlying principles, and achieve higher levels of coding and design.

Therefore, traditional programming has the advantages of wide adaptability, strong flexibility, and superior performance, especially in projects that deal with complex and customized requirements and have high performance and security requirements. However, traditional programming also requires more time, resources and expertise, and has higher requirements on developers. When choosing between traditional programming or low-code development, you need to make trade-offs and choices based on the needs and characteristics of your project.

Comparison of shortcomings of low-code and traditional programming:

Low-code development and traditional programming each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a comparison of their shortcomings:

Disadvantages of low-code development:

Limited customizability: Low-code platforms have limited customizability when dealing with complex and highly customized requirements. Some special needs may not be met by the components and features provided by the Platform.
Limited scalability: As the project develops, it may face expansion requirements that cannot be easily addressed. Implementing complex extension functionality can be difficult in low-code platforms.
Platform dependent: Applications developed using low-code platforms may be platform-dependent. Applications may be platform-specific and difficult to easily migrate or convert to other platforms.
Learning curve: Although low-code platforms have lowered the threshold for programming, the development of certain complex functions or advanced customization still requires a certain amount of time to learn and become familiar with the platform.
Performance limitations: Some low-code platforms may not perform well when processing large amounts of data or complex logic, and may not be suitable for application scenarios that require high performance.

Disadvantages of traditional programming:

Longer development cycles: Traditional programming may require longer development cycles because the code needs to be written from scratch, including multiple phases such as design, development, testing, and deployment.
High technical threshold: Traditional programming requires high developer skills and experience, and requires an in-depth understanding of programming languages and technology stacks, which may increase development costs and time.
Difficulties in maintenance and updates: As projects continue to evolve and change, the code in traditional programming may become complex and difficult to understand, making maintenance and updates difficult.
Higher risk: There is more risk of human error in traditional programming. Developers need to manage the quality and stability of the code themselves, and loopholes or errors are prone to occur.
Difficulty keeping up with changes: In projects with frequent changes in requirements and rapid iterations, traditional programming may have difficulty coping with changes in requirements and flexibility requirements.

The relationship between low-code and traditional programming

There is a complementary and auxiliary relationship between low-code development and traditional programming. They are not antagonistic, but two development methods that provide different solutions for different needs and scenarios. Here’s how low-code development and traditional programming relate to each other, as well as how they are connected and different:

1. Complementarity

Low-code development complements traditional programming: Low-code development is mainly suitable for rapid prototyping and building basic applications. It provides a way to quickly develop applications and is particularly suitable for projects that are time-sensitive and do not require a high degree of customization.

Traditional programming makes up for the shortcomings of low-code: Traditional programming is more suitable for projects that deal with complexity, high customization requirements, and strict performance and security requirements. Traditional programming provides more flexibility and freedom to write highly customized code.

2. Differences in application scenarios

Low-code application scenarios: Suitable for scenarios with simple logic, rapid iteration and rapid delivery, such as basic applications within the enterprise, automation of small business processes, etc.

Traditional programming application scenarios: Suitable for projects that handle complex business logic, are highly customized, and have high performance and security requirements, such as large-scale enterprise applications, implementation of complex algorithms, and systems level development, etc.

3. Flexibility and customization

Low-code platforms have limited flexibility: Low-code platforms usually provide preset components and modules, and developers are limited to a certain extent by the functions and customization provided by the platform. The degree is relatively low.

Traditional programming has high flexibility: Traditional programming provides greater freedom and flexibility. Developers can write customized code as needed to achieve highly customized functions. .

4. Applicable groups and skill requirements

Low-code is suitable for non-professional developers: The low-code platform lowers the development threshold and enables non-professional developers to participate in the application development process without in-depth programming skills.

Traditional programming requires specialized skills: Traditional programming requires developers to have deeper programming knowledge and skills and be able to handle more complex problems and tasks.

5. Development efficiency and cost

Low code improves development efficiency: Low code development can quickly build prototypes and basic applications, saving a lot of development time and reducing development costs.

Traditional programming is more suitable for certain scenarios: Traditional programming may require more time and resources, but is useful in projects that deal with complexity, high customization, and high performance requirements. , can provide solutions that better meet needs.

Therefore, low-code development and traditional programming each have their own advantages and are suitable for different types of projects and scenarios. In actual applications, developers can flexibly choose to adopt low-code development or traditional programming methods based on project needs and characteristics to achieve the best development efficiency and application quality. These two development methods are not opposed to each other, but two different development paradigms that complement each other and are selected according to needs.

Four: How to get started with low code?

Getting started with low-code development can be carried out in the following ways to help you quickly understand and master the basic knowledge and skills of low-code development:

1. Choose the right low-code platform

Understand the different low-code platforms: Understand the popular low-code platforms on the market, such as Microsoft Power Apps, Salesforce, Mendix, Appian, etc. Each platform may provide different functions and features for different application scenarios and needs.

Choose the platform that suits you: Choose the most suitable low-code platform based on your needs and goals. You can learn about the characteristics and scope of application of the platform through the official website, use cases, user reviews, etc.

2. Study relevant documents and tutorials

Official documentation and tutorials: Most low-code platforms provide official documentation, tutorials, and video materials to introduce the operation and functions of the platform. It is recommended to learn from official channels to understand the basic operations and features of the platform.

Online learning resources: You can find courses related to the chosen platform through online learning platforms (such as Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, etc.) and learn content from basic to advanced .

3. Participate in practices and projects

Do it yourself: Take advantage of the free trials or starter projects provided by the platform to create simple applications yourself, such as building basic forms, creating simple workflows, etc.

Participate in small projects: If you have the opportunity, you can participate in small low-code development projects or internships to gain practical experience and apply theoretical knowledge into practice.

4. Explore communities and communicate

Participate in community discussions: Join relevant community forums, discussion groups, or social media groups to exchange experiences and tips with other developers and obtain solutions to real-world problems.

Participate in activities and training: You can participate in relevant offline or online training courses, seminars or conferences to expand your horizons and understand the latest trends and developments in the industry.

5. Continuous learning and practice

Follow up platform updates: Low-code platforms usually constantly update and release new features, keep up with the latest platform developments, and learn new features and technologies.

Continuous practice and project experience: Continue to practice and accumulate project experience, and continuously improve your abilities and skills through practice.

Therefore, getting started with low-code development requires continuous learning, practice, and accumulation of experience. Choosing the right platform, studying relevant documentation and tutorials, participating in practical projects, and communicating with the community will help you get started quickly and master the basic knowledge and skills of low-code development.

In general, low-code development solves some pain points in traditional development to a certain extent, but it is not suitable for all scenarios. It provides convenience for rapid prototyping and basic application development, but under certain specific needs, traditional programming skills and development methods are still required to meet customized and highly complex requirements. Therefore, low-code development is a tool with its advantages and limitations, which need to be weighed and selected on a case-by-case basis.

Five: What are some excellent low-code platforms?

There are some excellent low-code platforms in China, some of which are widely used by enterprises and developer communities. The following are some low-code platforms that have attracted much attention and recognition in China:

Huawei Cloud DigiWin: Huawei Cloud DigiWin is a low-code platform launched by Huawei Cloud. It provides enterprises with a visual application development environment and supports the rapid construction of business applications and automated processes. It provides rich templates, component libraries and data integration functions.
Alibaba Cloud Tianchi PAI: Alibaba Cloud Tianchi PAI (Platform of AI) is a low-code platform provided by Alibaba Cloud, mainly used for data mining, machine learning and artificial intelligence related Application development. It provides a wealth of AI algorithms and models to help users quickly build AI applications.
Processon: Processon is a low-code platform that supports users to design and develop enterprise processes, graphical applications and workflows through drag-and-drop. It provides an easy-to-use interface suitable for building workflows and business applications.
Shenzhen Tencent Low-code Platform: The low-code platform launched by Tencent provides a visual development environment to support the rapid construction of applications and business processes. It combines Tencent Cloud services and open platform resources to help enterprises quickly build their own applications.

There are many excellent low-code development platforms that are widely recognized and widely used internationally. The following are some internationally renowned low-code platforms:

Microsoft Power Apps: Microsoft Power Apps is a low-code development platform launched by Microsoft that can quickly build business applications and customized workflows. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft ecosystems such as Office 365 and Azure, provides rich templates and components, and supports cross-platform application development.
Salesforce Lightning Platform: Salesforce Lightning Platform is a low-code platform launched by Salesforce for building enterprise-level applications and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. It provides powerful tools and components to support the development of custom applications and automated processes.
Appian: Appian is a popular low-code platform focused on enterprise application development. It provides a visual development environment that supports the rapid construction of business processes, automation and application integration.
OutSystems: OutSystems is a low-code platform for enterprise-level application development, supporting the construction of responsive mobile applications and large-scale enterprise-level systems. It provides extensive integration capabilities and automation tools.
Mendix: Mendix is an enterprise-level low-code development platform that supports the rapid construction and deployment of business applications. It provides powerful model-driven development tools and application lifecycle management capabilities.

There are several free low-code development platforms available to developers in China and internationally. Here are some common free low-code development platforms:

Domestic free low-code development platform:

Huawei Cloud DigiWin: The low-code development platform launched by Huawei Cloud provides a free trial version. Users can register an account to try out the platform functions for free.
Alibaba Cloud Tianchi PAI: The platform launched by Alibaba Cloud also provides a certain free trial period to allow users to experience and use the basic functions of the platform.

International free low-code development platform:

Microsoft Power Apps: The Power Apps platform provided by Microsoft has a free personal version (Community Plan), which provides certain functions for individual developers to use.
Salesforce Lightning Platform: Salesforce’s free version (Developer Edition) provides certain development functions and resources for individual developers or learning.
OutSystems Community Edition: OutSystems offers Community Edition, which allows developers to create applications for free and test and deploy them.
Mendix Free Edition: Mendix provides a free version for developers to try out the basic functions of the platform for building and deploying applications.

These free low-code development platforms provide certain functions and resources, suitable for developers to learn, trial, or develop small-scale applications. Although they offer a free version, there may be some functionality or usage limitations. Before choosing to use it, it is recommended to carefully understand the free functions, terms of use and restrictions of each platform, and make a choice based on your own needs and project conditions.

Six: Typical low-code development process examples

Typical examples can be demonstrated based on the following steps:

Create a simple online survey application

1. Determine requirements and design applications

Requirements Analysis: Determine the goals and functionality of the application, such as creating an online survey application to collect user feedback.
Design model: Use the visual tools of the low-code platform to design survey forms and database models. Define the questions and answer options in the survey form, as well as the data storage structure.

2. Build apps using low-code platforms

Select a platform: Choose a suitable low-code platform, such as Microsoft Power Apps or Salesforce Lightning Platform.
Create data model: Use the visualization tools provided by the platform to create data models and forms. Define survey questions and corresponding fields.
Build the interface: Use the drag-and-drop interface editor to add questions and input fields to your form. Design, style and layout the user interface.
Configure logic: Add logic rules, such as validating input, setting default values, or showing/hiding specific questions based on conditions.
Data Integration: If desired, configure data integration to store survey results in a database or third-party service.

3. Test and deploy

Test the application: Conduct functional and user experience testing of the application. Make sure your survey form works as expected.
Fix problems: If there are problems or room for optimization, make repairs and improvements.
Deploy the application: Deploy the application to the appropriate platform or environment so that it can be accessed by users.

4. Run the application and collect data

Publish the app: Launch the app so users can access and fill out the online survey.
Collect data: The user fills out the survey form and the data is stored in the application database.
Analyze results: Perform analysis on the collected data to extract useful insights and information.

5. Maintenance and optimization

Monitor your application: Monitor the operation of your application to ensure its stability and performance.
Optimize based on feedback: Collect user feedback, optimize the application and improve user experience based on feedback and data analysis results.

As a development tool, low-code platforms can provide convenience and efficiency in specific scenarios. For simple, fast, and relatively standardized application development, low-code platforms are a good choice. But in some cases, traditional programming is still chosen.

For my choice, it depends on the specific project needs and scenarios:

Project complexity: If the project is very complex, requires highly customized functions, or involves complex algorithms, performance optimization, etc., you may be more inclined to use traditional programming methods. Low-code platforms have certain limitations and cannot meet all complex needs.
Time sensitivity and rapid iteration: If the project has high requirements for rapid launch and rapid iteration, and the functions are relatively standardized, a low-code platform can build basic functions more quickly. save time.
Development team skills and resources: If the team members are familiar with the low-code platform and can quickly master and effectively utilize the tools and functions provided by the platform, then it may be more appropriate to choose low-code. as appropriate.
Customization requirements: If the project does not have high customization requirements, can adapt to the templates and components provided by the low-code platform, and can quickly achieve the target function, low-code is a good choice choose.