The emergence and rapid adoption of low-code and no-code platforms have resulted in a significant shift within the software development industry. These tools allow users with minimal coding experience to quickly and effectively build applications by simplifying the development process.

For many, the rise of such tools has been a game-changer because they enable developers to enjoy faster time to market. However, many debates continue about their impact on traditional development practices. Are low-code and no-code platforms complementing seasoned developers’ work, or could they ultimately render traditional coding obsolete?

What are low-code and no-code platforms?

Gone are the days when businesses needed to hire a vast IT department or developers to create an application. The rise of low-code and no-code platforms has opened the floor to everyone who wants to get involved in app development, even if their knowledge is limited. From sports sites wanting a standalone app to one-person outfits wishing to stand out from the crowd, low-code and no-code platforms are making app development accessible to all.

Low-code platforms offer a development environment that enables users to create applications with minimal hand-coding. Some level of coding knowledge is still required, but tools like Mendix and Microsoft PowerApps help reduce the amount of manual coding needed.

Bubble and FlutterFlow are just two of many popular no-code platforms. Such tools are designed with complete amateurs in mind, allowing users with little to no coding experience to build apps using simple logic and templates and through visual interfaces.

Why are they appealing?

Speeding up the development process, making software development accessible to a broader audience, and reducing costs are three primary reasons for the appeal of low-code and no-code. A vastly reduced time to market allows businesses to swiftly respond to market changes while reducing the reliance on specialised developers.

Traditional development is usually a lengthy process involving coding, testing, and debugging phases. Low-code and no-code platforms help streamline these processes through pre-built modules and automated testing, reducing the time it takes to turn an application from a concept to its deployment.

Through using low-code and no-code platforms, application development is no longer the sole domain of professional developers. Anyone, even those with limited or no previous coding knowledge, can create and deploy applications that are tailored to their specific needs. These platforms empower more people to innovate and solve problems without hiring traditional developers.

Those two key points ultimately result in potentially large cost savings for businesses of all sizes. Experienced developers are in high demand and, as a result, command substantial fees or salaries. Low-code and no-code platforms enable companies to build applications without incurring additional costs, making them extremely popular with startups and small businesses that may have tight financial constraints.

Are these platforms impacting traditional development?

The benefits of low-code and no-code platforms are there for all to see. Still, their rise in popularity continues to raise questions about their impact on traditional development practices. The prevalence of these platforms has resulted in the evolution of the traditional developer’s role. These developers can now focus on more complex aspects of software development, including designing system architecture and optimising performance without having to spend countless hours on repetitive tasks.

In addition, there is a growing demand for professionals who can work with low-code and no-code tools, especially if they can integrate them with existing IT infrastructure. Traditional developers remain in high demand for projects requiring more complex or custom solutions, two areas where low-code and no-code solutions often fall short.

Away from individuals, several concerns regarding low-code and no-code tools continue to raise their heads above the parapet. For example, businesses creating applications without involving a professional IT department run the risk of creating potentially insecure and ungoverned applications. These applications may not adhere to the organisation’s security protocols, best practices, or compliance regulations.

Furthermore, there are concerns about the quality and scalability of applications created with low-code and no-code tools. While these platforms are excellent for simple applications, they are unlikely to be suitable for large-scale or complex projects. Companies may find they still need to hire experienced coders to rewrite some or all of the application for it to meet enterprise-grade standards.

What lays in store for the future of coding?

It is highly probable that low-code and no-code platforms will become increasingly integrated into the software development cycle as the platforms evolve and improve and the technology advances. We will likely see more hybrid approaches where the low-code tools are used alongside traditional coding, allowing businesses to speed up development while maintaining control over the more critical aspects of the application.

Developers should see low-code and no-code platforms as complementary tools instead of considering them outright replacements for traditional development. These platforms shine brightly in specific scenarios, such as automating workflows and creating internal business applications, but traditional development remains essential for more complex and large-scale projects. The two polar opposites can coexist, with traditional coding used for more complex challenges and low-code or no-code platforms handling the simpler, repetitive, and often time-consuming tasks.

Conclusion

The software development landscape is being reshaped by the rise of low-code and no-code platforms. On one hand, these tools offer new opportunities for technical and non-technical users. On the other hand, these platforms come with unique challenges that businesses must consider and overcome, especially if and when a project requires more complexity or is on a larger scale.

Developers who can leverage the efficiency of low-code platforms while mastering traditional coding will continue to be in high demand for the foreseeable future. These developers should see these tools as part of their arsenal, using them to complement traditional development methods instead of seeing them as a threat.