Low code Development

What is low-code?

Low-code is a visual approach to software development that enables faster delivery of applications through minimal hand-coding. The graphical user interface and the drag-and-drop features of a low-code platform automates aspects of the development process, eliminating dependencies on traditional computer programming approaches. Low-code platforms democratize app development, particularly for the “citizen” developers—i.e. business users with little formal coding experience, such as business analysts or project managers. These tools enable less technical employees to make a larger business impact in numerous ways, such as relieving IT department backlogs, reducing shadow IT, and taking more ownership over business process management (BPM) workstreams. With all that said, low-code development platforms also aid more seasoned programmers. Since they require little to no coding experience, they allow for more flexibility in a developer’s coding background. For example, some business applications require knowledge around a specific programming language, narrowing the selection of developers further. By eliminating this bottleneck, low-code platforms shorten the application development lifecycle, enabling them to accomplish more in a less time.  

A low-code model promotes rapid application development by making the user experience more accessible. Both citizen and professional developers benefit from core capabilities, such as a visual integrated development environment (IDE), built-in data connectors and/or APIs, and code templates. All of this functionality of low-code tools improves the DevOps process, allowing more time for innovation.

Low-code vs. no-code

Forrester distinguishes low-code vs. no-code products by their target end users. While low-code application platforms (LCAP) are broad in scope, catering to both professional developers and citizen developers, they may still require some coding skills. Therefore, low-code application platforms primarily serve full-time and part-time developers. However, no-code products are specifically targeted for business users, allowing them to create custom apps without expert development skills and knowledge.

Similar to low-code, a no-code development platform (NCDP) allows users to create enterprise applications through drag-and-drop interfaces instead of traditional hand-coding programming. Both low-code and no-code platforms are built to accelerate process automation as well as achieve scalability across those processes. 

The main drawback to no-code platforms is that while they can reduce shadow IT, they can also pave the way for it. If business users develop and edit software without any supervision from the IT department, this can create additional workstreams to ensure that performance, security, and compliance standards are met.

What is low-code application development?

Low-code application development is a way to design and develop applications with little or no coding. Low-code application development platforms empower businesses to build custom solutions with innovative functionalities that cater to specific business models. These platforms offer intuitive visual builders, ready-to-use code snippets, form and report templates, and built-in connectors that speed development and extend the ability to innovate to a broader set of people. Users can also jump right in to building their applications, as these platforms eliminate typical coding processes, like creating frameworks, modeling data, and developing user interfaces.