Have you ever thought about using visual interfaces with normal level logic to develop applications that require little or no coding? Low-code model will be a great trend, helping to save time, effort and money.
1. What is low-code?
A low-code development platform (LCDP) provides a development environment used to create application software through a graphical user interface. A low-coded platform may produce entirely operational applications, or require additional coding for specific situations. 1
Compared with traditional software development, low-code development emphasizes rapid application creation with visual tools and minimal coding, making it ideal for simple projects. On the other hand, traditional software development involves writing code from scratch, providing more customization options but requiring advanced coding skills.2
2. Benefits of low-code
By using low-code, organizations can accelerate their application development process, reduce costs, and empower citizen developers to contribute to software development efforts. Here are some key advantages of using low-code platforms:
- Rapid application development
The low-code platform offers pre-built code snippets, intuitive interfaces, and form templates that enable developers to create apps quickly and efficiently. This can significantly reduce development time and enable organizations to respond to changing business needs faster.
- Increased productivity
With a low-code platform, developers can build more applications in less time. This increased productivity is achieved through simplified coding processes, such as framework design, data modeling, and user interface creation. Furthermore, low-code platforms often allow citizen developers (employees with minimal coding skills) to contribute to application development.
- Cost savings
Low-code development can help reduce costs by allowing organizations to build applications with fewer resources and bandwidth. Professional developers can use short code tools to make changes, fix bugs, and update complex initiatives throughout their lifecycle. Additionally, low-code platforms reduce the need to hire additional developers, resulting in lower hiring costs.
- Flexibility and scalability
Low-code platforms provide flexibility by allowing developers to customize applications easily and quickly. They also provide seamless integration with other systems, allowing organizations to scale their applications as needed.
- Improved collaboration
Low-code platforms facilitate collaboration between IT and business teams by providing a common platform for application development. This enables better alignment between business requirements and IT capabilities.
- Reduced learning curve
Low-code platforms typically have intuitive interfaces that require minimal coding skills. This reduces the learning curve for developers and allows them to focus on solving business problems instead of writing code.
3. Challenges of low-code
While low-code platforms offer several benefits, they also come with some challenges. Here are some of the challenges associated with using low-code platforms:
- Limited customization options
In some cases, developers may need to write custom code to achieve the desired functionality. However, Low-code platforms can limit the customization options available to developers because they provide pre-built templates and user-friendly interfaces that allow developers to configure an app using graphical interfaces and drag-and-drop elements.
- Security concerns
Low-code platforms can pose security risks if not implemented correctly. For example, if a low-code platform is not configured correctly, it can expose sensitive data to unauthorized users.
- Integration complexity
Low-code platforms often use proprietary technology that may not be compatible with other systems. Integrating low-code applications with other systems can be complex and time-consuming
- Version control and collaboration:
Version control and collaboration can be challenging when using low-code platforms. This is because low-code platforms often generate code automatically, making it difficult to track changes and collaborate effectively.
- Scalability
Low-code platforms often provide pre-built templates that may not be customizable enough for complex projects. They may not be suitable for large-scale projects that require complex functionality.
4. Future of low-code
According to a report by Gartner, the worldwide market for low-code development technologies is projected to total $26.9 billion in 2023, an increase of 19.6% from 2022. The report also states that low-code platforms are projected to be the largest component of the low-code development technology market, growing 25% to reach nearly $10 billion in 2023.3
Low-code development is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by factors such as increased demand for faster application delivery and highly customized automation workflows, as well as a rise in business technologists and enterprise-wide hyper automation initiatives.
Here are some of low-code development platforms that are worth exploring include Appian, OutSystems, Kissflow, Microsoft Power Apps, Mendix and Salesforce Lightning. 4
5. Pleasanter - Business Application Platform from Japan
Pleasanter is one of the LCDP developed by the Implem Inc. which was awarded the "LEADER" award for the third consecutive year in the "Low-code Development" category at ITreview Grid Award 2023 Fall in Japan.5
Pleasanter is a free OSS no-code/low-code development tool. You can easily create web applications that fit your business in a way that cannot be imitated by packaged software, and at a speed that cannot be compared to full scratch. With your creativity and understanding, your business possibilities will expand even further. Pleasanter also has many “developer functions” so it can be flexibly linked with existing systems, and it also has powerful “script” and “API” functions so it can Strong expansion, Easily connection with another system.
You can visit Pleasanter official page and explore here.
Although using a low code platform there are still some challenges, by choosing the right platform and implementing it correctly, organizations can overcome these challenges and reap the benefits of low-code development.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-code_development_platform
[2] https://blog.lowcode.agency/low-code-vs-traditional-development/
[4] https://anarsolutions.com/compare-low-code-development-platforms/
