The term low-code, some people think it is the fourth generation programming language, some people think it is a subversion of the development model, and some people think it is a change in the enterprise management model... There are many voices, and the community discussion is very lively.
Even so, many people still don’t know about this technology. Today I will introduce low code in general.
3. How to implement low-code development applications?
Let’s discuss the above issues one by one!
1. Why does low code rise?
Microservices, platformization, and cloud computing, as current IT technology hotspots, mainly emphasize sharing and reuse, and they promote rapid software delivery and deployment.
But the real pain point is that even if most software adopts microservice technology or platform-based ideas,it is difficult to quickly meet changes in business needs through software sharing and reuse. , most requirements still need to be re-developed and implemented, resulting in long software delivery time.
This type of development not only requires a heavy workload and low technical content, but also has a high degree of personalization and low sharing.
When doing this type of development, it is nothing more than adding a few fields to a table, then adding relevant input attributes to the interface, adjusting background service logic, process flow control and other detailed improvements. The software itself has not changed much.
Therefore, rapid configuration and release of software through low-code development platforms has become a hot topic in the current software industry.
At the same time, as the domestic entrepreneurial environment is getting better and better, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises has been increasing in recent years, and they have a remarkable position in the market.
Although there are many small and medium-sized enterprises, due to the lack of certain financial and technical support, if you use the traditional application development model to develop applications, it will be difficult to afford both the technology and the financial chain.
At this time, the low-code development model can be developed without high costs and professional skills, lowering the threshold for developers, and thus becoming a popular choice for small and medium-sized enterprises.
2.What is low code?
Low-code is the product of the gradual optimization and evolution of traditional software development.
As a new application development model and tool, the low-code development platform has the characteristics of model-driven, open integration, visual guidance, and automated development. It helps enterprises to support unknown scenarios efficiently and flexibly, ensures the convenience and efficiency of reusing enterprise IT assets, and enhances the core competitiveness and business value of enterprises.
Low-code development platform (LCDP) itself is also a kind of software, which provides developers with a development environment to create application software.
For programmers, the nature of low-code development platforms is almost the same as code IDEs (integrated development environments) such as IDEA and VS. They are both productivity tools that serve developers.
Different from traditional code IDEs, low-code development platforms provide higher-dimensional and easy-to-use visual IDEs. In most cases, developers do not need to use traditional handwritten code for programming, but complete development work through more efficient methods such as graphical drag-and-drop and parameter configuration.
Low-code development platforms enable rapid delivery of business applications.
In other words, it is not just “able” to develop applications like traditional development platforms. The focus of low-code development platforms is to develop applications “faster”. More importantly, this speed is disruptive: According to a 2016 Forrester survey, most companies reported that low-code platforms helped them increase development efficiency by 5-10 times. And we have reason to believe that as low-code technology, products and industries continue to mature, this improvement multiple can continue to rise.
Low-code development platforms can reduce the development costs of business applications.
On the one hand, low-code development requires lower investment in the entire software life cycle process (less code writing, and simpler environment setup and deployment costs); on the other hand, low-code development also significantly reduces developers’ costs. Using the threshold, non-professional developers can quickly get on the job after simple IT basic training, which can not only fully mobilize and utilize all aspects of the company's existing human resources, but also significantly reduce dependence on expensive professional developer resources.
The goal of the low-code development platform is to quickly configure through graphics and implement business functions without writing code as much as possible or with a very small amount of code.
3. How to implement low-code development applications?
Now that low-code development has gradually become a trend in the future, many people are also trying to use low-code platforms, so how is it built and deployed? Here I will teach you step by step.
Experience platform: JNPF development platform
Experience version: JNPF3.5.0 (Vue3)
Application entrance:https://www.jnpfsoft.com/?csdnxx
JNPF is a low-code application construction platform developed by Inma Information. Through the visual drag and drop method, an application that takes 2 weeks to complete in the traditional mode only takes 2 hours with JNPF. Use it to build applications, and you only need to focus on the business itself. Data storage, operating environment, servers, network security, etc., the platform handles them all for you.
We use the following five major functions:[Form], [Process Form], [Report], [Customized Page], [External Link]< a i=2>, we can efficiently build the application we need.
1. Zero-code development + code generator
Zero-code development: Equipped with a large number of reusable controls, visual applications can be automatically generated by operating interface elements and dragging controls;
Low-code development: A set of code generators is customized based on Mybatis-plus-generator. By configuring the comments of database fields, WEB front-end (vue), mobile terminal (vue), back-end and other codes can be generated online, greatly reducing development difficulty;
2.Business process
JNPF's approval flow provides visual settings, setting approval nodes, setting conditions in the nodes, and then giving control permissions to the nodes (which approval actions this node can only do, and which data can only be seen), so according to this visual The approval flow design scheme is abstract and has a high scope of application.
It includes two parts: process form and process engine. The process form is visually designed and highly configurable. It adopts structured form template design and centralized analysis mode design. Adapted to the needs and configuration of various scenarios in China's national conditions, WYSIWYG, low code and high configuration.
3. Report design
There is no need to develop any code. Users only need to configure a series of parameters on the interface to realize the configuration of multiple types of reports, online rendering of report content, report export, printing and other functions;
4.Mainstream databases and operating systems
It has a high degree of localization adaptability and supports connecting to multiple data sources. The application can quickly complete data integration with third-party systems. Currently supported databases are: SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL. It is also compatible with domestic databases Dameng and Renmin University of Finance and Economics. wait.
At the same time, in the face of changing demand in many aspects of applications, JNPF provides a rich API interface to quickly connect with commonly used third-party software such as DingTalk and Enterprise WeChat.
４、瀻结
The data model designer, process designer and page designer are the core of the low-code platform. If you understand the MVC layered architecture of software design, it is easy to understand the core product functions of the low-code platform, as well as different product ideas. Of course, different low-code platforms have more unique and powerful functions, and interested readers can do further research.