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Low code development platforms have gained popularity in recent years as they allow non-technical users to develop application with limited or no coding. These platforms provide drag-and-drop interfaces and visual development environment for building custom applications.
What is Low Code Development?
Low code development refers to application development platforms that enable rapid iteration and experimentation with little to no code required. Low-code tools provide visual interfaces where developers can drag and drop pre-built components like databases, user interfaces, logic and workflows to create apps.
Key Features of Low Code Development
Visual development environment
Most low code platforms provide a visual development environment where developers can visually build user interfaces by dragging and dropping components. This allows developers to prototype and iterate application design rapidly.
Pre-built components
These platforms offer a library of pre-built components like forms, charts, dropdowns, etc. that can be configured and integrated together visually rather than writing code from scratch. This speeds up the application development process.
Database access and logic configuration
Developers can connect databases and services by dragging connectors and model relationships between entities. Conditional logic and workflows can be set by configuring rules visually rather than through code.
Deployment and updating
Once built, applications on low code platforms can be easily deployed on web, mobile or cloud. Future updates and changes can also be made through the visual interfaces without disturbing the existing application code.
Roles and Access Management
Enterprise grade features like user roles, authentication and authorization can be configured through visual policies. Granular access can be provided to different users on application data and functions.
Benefits of Low Code Development
Speed of development
Since little to no coding is required, non-technical or citizen developers can build complete working applications much faster than traditional coding approach. This dramatically improves time to market.
Access to digital tools for everyone
Low code empowers business analysts and process owners to digitize their workflows and processes independently without relying on overburdened IT teams all the time.
Agility and flexibility
Applications can be modified on the fly by business users itself responding to changing needs. New features can be added and existing functionality extended without depending on developers.
Lower costs
With rapid application development cycle and reduced dependence on highly paid expert developers, low code platforms can build solutions at a fraction of cost compared to custom coding projects.
Encourages experimentation
The low risk and visibility of low code tools makes it easier for users to try out new ideas in the form of lightweight prototypes and applications without heavy investments.
Popular Low Code Development Platforms
Some widely used low code platforms are:
– Microsoft PowerApps – Used for building business applications for different systems like CRM without code.
– Mendix – Provides complete lifecycle support for enterprise apps including cloud deployment and collaboration tools.
– Appian – An intelligent automation platform for digital process applications across industries.
– Salesforce Lightning – Enables organizations to build internal and external applications on Salesforce CRM.
– OutSystems – An enterprise platform that can scale to complex application development needs.
– Zudy by Zoho – A free and easy to use platform for building web and mobile applications.
Challenges of Low Code Development
While low code offers great flexibility, some challenges still persist:
Lack of control – Developers have constrained control over custom building blocks and coding. Advanced customization is not possible.
Vendor lock-in – It is difficult to migrate applications off a particular vendor’s platform due to proprietary nature of tools.
Suitable for simple tasks- Complex enterprise applications may still require hand coding for performance and advanced integrations.
Skills shortage – Availability of developers with both business and low code technical skills is still limited.
Limited reusability- Components built for one app cannot always be reused on another project on the same platform.
Integration issues – Interfacing applications built on disparate low code tools still require manual effort.
Future of Low Code
Low code market is projected to grow significantly due to advantages over traditional development approaches. Major technology players are strengthening their low code platforms. Some emerging trends are:
– Citizen development will become mainstream with focus on governance and access control.
– AI/ML capabilities will be added to automate repetitive tasks and simplify coding further.
– Platforms will get integrated with AR/VR and IoT for digital transformation of industries.
– Deployment of microapps and cloud-based UI components will scale low code to enterprise needs better.
Conclusion
Low code development promises to transform how software is built by democratizing development. As tools get more powerful, secure and integrated, low code will play a key role in unleashing creativity and innovation not just for IT but also for business and people at large. With good governance practices in place, its usage in enterprises is poised for exponential growth in the coming years.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
