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Pure coding, no code is like manual driving and autonomous driving
Low-code development is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Gartner predicts that by 2024, 75% of large enterprises will adopt low-code or no-code tools to meet IT application and citizen development needs . What exactly is low-code, and under what circumstances does it need to be used?
Various tool types exist under the umbrella term low-code : website builders, form builders, API connectors, database builders, workflow automators, and more , each of which requires a different level of skill. Some are 100% code-free and UI-based drag-and-drop templates ; others require programming to set up to complement developers’ existing workflows. When we talk about low-code, we usually mean platforms that help create internal business utilities.
Below, we’ll define citizen developers, differentiate between low-code and no-code, and dive into specific types of low-code scenarios. Armed with this knowledge, technology leaders can better determine what tools they need to improve the rapid development of their business needs.
Pure coding , no code is like manual driving and autonomous driving
What’s the difference between pure coding, low- code , and no -code ? To demonstrate the subtle differences between the emerging code paradigms, they are compared here to car types.
1. Manual coding
Traditional coding is like a manual car with a transmission .
To drive a manual car, you must know how to shift gears. Not to mention, you have to know how to drive and know how to navigate busy streets while obeying traffic laws. We can compare manual driving to traditional coding, which is for highly trained developers.
For example, consider that we need to develop an application that interacts with a database. To create it from scratch, this might mean writing a PHP application, connecting it to a backend database management system (such as PostgreSQL), and hardcoding the commands for ingesting the data and manipulating the entries.
Hand coding requires a proficient understanding of programming languages, development frameworks and libraries, and collaborative development processes (such as git). Naturally, traditional coding is the domain of professional developers and is often required by software teams developing proprietary software-as-a-service products. It provides the ultimate in customizability.
2. Low code
Low code is like self-driving cars .
With a self-driving car, you still need to know how to drive, but the transmission is automatic. Cruise control is also a nice feature. Similarly, low-code aims to simplify development, and it allows even some non-technical people to build applications. Low code is used by both professional and citizen developers
If we take the example of a database, then a low-code solution might involve a one-time registration of the database. This would have required some technical skills to run, but with low-code, this will run more smoothly, and developing applications that interact with the database through a visual user interface will make everything smoother.
Low-code platforms often include various drag-and-drop building blocks to help develop applications. These pre-generated components may include tables, text boxes, drop-down lists, charts, maps, forms, user directories, and other elements. Low-code solutions also often make the underlying code easily accessible and portable. Low-code can help developers improve development efficiency and save more time to build more creative functional modules.
Low-code solutions can also assist with peripheral operations required to create a fully functional application, such as hosting, deployment, and monitoring. Example vendors in the low-code space include Appian, Mendix, Outsystems, Quick Base, and APICloud.
3. No code
No code is like a self-driving car .
In a self-driving car, artificial intelligence handles everything, maneuvering through traffic and changing routes are automated. You don't need to put your hands on the wheel, but you do need to be sure of your destination. Similarly, no-code is a practical, non-technical option for app development. No-code is for citizen developers and non-technical users.
No-Code takes low-code usability to the next level, being 100% UI driven, using pre-built templates and the ability to string together utilities. No-code is popular with connections and triggers, easing the burden of integration. Of course, the more automation you get, the more granular control you sacrifice. Many no-code tools only require a login and permissions for the business application you are already using, such as Zapier, IFTTT, Kissflow, Airtable and Retool.
The trend of low-code and no-code is also independent of industry. There are already practical cases of low-code and no-code in banking, manufacturing, consumer goods, e-commerce and other fields.
5 common low-code scenarios
Now that we understand these concepts, what are enterprises building using low-code?
- Build internal forms : To collect data in the form of forms, for example for inspection or auditing, it may be necessary to generate PDF files. Forms can also be created by non-technical people with knowledge of the industry.
- Expand with a public form : Make your form public for registration or lead generation. There is almost no need to add any functionality that is possible for no-code users.
- Working with databases : Junior engineers will easily understand the mechanics of a database, but it's not completely non-technical. For example, skills may be needed to synchronize the database with other cloud operations.
- Business process management (BPM) : Digitize the traditional company project approval process. What was once paper or email based is now streamlined. This may involve taking an order, reporting it to a manager, and getting approval from the manager. The process of digitization requires a deep understanding of data structures.
- Fully Open Application : Possibly for new onboarding or internal job recruitment. More comprehensive user interaction design, workflow, file hosting and API connectivity are required. This process may require a skilled developer.
It is extremely important to establish your data structure at the beginning. Complex projects may still require skilled engineers to some extent. But, as we mentioned earlier, there are many areas where low-code and no-code can simplify the creation of simple apps and tools.
write at the end
Low-code has become a critical option to the extent that it can fairly easily support alternative business applications, delivering new digital capabilities to citizen developers or non-technical users.
Among the platforms that have developed well in recent years, JNPF is one of them. Many people have used it, it is a master of functions, and any information system can be developed based on it.
A simple, cross-platform rapid development framework based on Java Boot/.Net6 . The front-end and back-end encapsulate thousands of common classes for easy expansion; it integrates a code generator to support front-end and back-end business code generation to meet rapid development requirements; the framework integrates various commonly used demos such as forms, reports, charts, and large screens, which are convenient and direct Use; the backend framework supports Vue2 and Vue3 .
In order to support application development with higher technical requirements, from database modeling, Web API construction to page design, there is almost no difference from traditional software development. However, the low-code visualization mode reduces the repetitive labor of building "add, delete, modify and check" functions.
In the domestic low-code field, only JNPF achieves the best balance and can generate front-end, back-end and database code . The front-end and back-end separation architecture allows you to quickly build business applications based on tools such as visual process modeling, form modeling, and report modeling. It can be deployed privately and also supports K8S .
Application address: JNPF