A. What are low code platforms
Low-code is a development approach that needs very little coding to build web applications. A low-code development platform uses visual interfaces with simple logic and drag-and-drop features instead of extensive coding languages. These intuitive tools allow novice developers with no expert
knowledge of coding to create applications for mobile apps and business apps. These platforms have become popular as a fast and easy alternative to traditional software development. Both professional
developers and novice developers can use a low-code platform to create apps of varying complexity to meet business demands for development, and automate processes. Instead of conventional hand-coded computer programming, a low-code development framework offers a programming environment for creating software applications via graphical user interfaces and configuration. Several studies estimate that the global low-code development technologies industry will be worth $13.8
billion in 2022, up 22% from 2021. Despite continuing cost management campaigns, the popularity of remote working during the pandemic will continue to fuel low code adoption.
B. Why should you use low code for development?
Depending on what your requirement is, there are different benefits of using low-code platforms that can be more suited to the task at hand.
• Increased Business Agility: Most low-code platforms are extensible, which provides direct integrations with stakeholders and enables you to turn APIs, web services, and command lines into reusable building blocks. This speeds up the integration and deployment of new tools and technologies
and lets you stay ahead in the market and keep up with the client’s demands.
• Reduced CapEx/OpEx: Instead of purchasing a new tool to coordinate SAP jobs, you can use a low-code platform to quickly assemble the needed development and create the required app tailored as per your needs. Likewise, instead of spending days or weeks researching, writing, and testing new scripts, you can develop those processes faster with fewer resources.
• Automation: Low-code platforms with the right DevOps tools can accelerate the development speed for automating tasks and end-to-end processes. Workflows can be initiated based on events, templates can be used to quickly develop new processes, while variables and flow control make it easier to manage data across platforms. Prebuilt integrations and API accessibility meanwhile make it possible to automate virtually any business processes
• Rapid Iterations: Business needs are quickly evolving. To help meet those needs, low-code development platforms can provide you the exact tools to quickly iterate and edit existing developments. Testing facilities can also be used to ensure applications will run successfully when entered into production.
• Greater Productivity: By streamlining the development process and increasing the use of automation, you have more productivity in less time. Additionally, low-code applications include tools that simplify the process life cycle.
C. Features of low code platforms
• Reusability: One major aspect of low-code development’s functionality is the usage of preconfigured modules and functionality for apps. These modules have common core functions needed for several apps, and they can be reused to develop different solutions more quickly. Low-
code platform allows users to reuse prebuilt or newly-developed modules, plug-ins, and entire applications to develop necessary apps faster.
• Visual modeling tools: Creating apps using visual methods and models is faster than developing using code. Powered with visual modeling capabilities, low-code platforms use built-in components to represent any information in a form that is readable to anyone – from regular business users with no tech skills to professional developers.
• Multi-platform compatible: Multi-device compatibility is a useful feature of low-code platforms. In addition to the ability to use the low-code platform on any device running major operational systems, its cross-platform compatibility allows users to build apps that can also run on all core platforms and devices.
• Unique functionality: Leading low-code systems to provide unique functionality, which eliminates the need to build core modules for apps from scratch.
• Easy interfaces: Every established low-code platform has drag-and-drop abilities. It is one of the most useful and important features that enable an easy development process. Both novice developers and professional developers benefit from the convenience of drag-and-drop features provided during the creation of applications.
• Monitoring: Apps developed using low-code can monitor processes to keep track of their effectiveness. They can also track the performance of other apps, and are useful for analysis purposes.
• App management: Low-code tools simplify and streamline several stages in the software development lifecycle, such as debugging, testing, and deployment. They give developers access to information about the apps created and their development and give them the ability to revert
to previous versions if needed for better application lifecycle management.
Difference between Low-code vs No-code
| Low-Code | No-Code |
| Low-code platforms primarily target developers, enabling them to rapidly build working front-end prototypes in a matter of days, or even hours. | No-code platforms target smaller businesses, those without the budget to outsource development, or hire a developer internally. |
| Low-code platforms are suitable for the creation of more complex applications and processes that require integration with other application databases or systems. | Using a no-code platform, a citizen developer can create and deploy complete applications without needing to write a single line of code. |
| Low-code is good for developing sophisticated applications that run important, often mission-critical processes at the core of your business. It’s also good for building standalone mobile and web apps that may or may not require sophisticated integrations. In fact, it can be used for just about anything. | No code development is sometimes locked into the platform in which it is developed. It provides self-service applications for business users and can only build simple apps. These limitations mean it should only be used for front-end use-cases. |
D. Top Low Code platforms in 2022
Depending on what they’re designed for, there are several low code platforms that are very popular There are two things you need to consider while choosing a low code platform:
- Who is going to work on it?
For developers, low-code platforms may help to produce more applications in less time. On the other hand, for business, low code encourages and allows without any programming skills to make their
applications on the industry side. - What can you build with the code?
Businesses can build any web and mobile application using a low-code platform. The most common types of low-code applications are:
• Legacy modernization applications
• Workspace application
• Operation improvement application
The top popular low code platforms are:
Appian: This is a Low-Code platform for building and delivering business applications. This platform incorporates a visual, drag-and-drop interface, role-based security features, integrated enterprise data access, and built-in logic. Appian allows developers to create interactive mobile apps, customer self-service applications, custom web portals, content management systems (CMS), and others. It also provides a robust API for connecting your app with other IT systems, enabling you to automate
processes across your organization. The Appian software is used by many large enterprises in banking and financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, and government.
Mendix: Mendix is an all-in-one Low-Code development platform that allows developers and business users to build software applications while collaborating throughout the entire application development lifecycle. This cloud-based platform leverages Artificial Intelligence, integrates with external systems and databases to transfer data, and delivers end-to-end automation. Mendix combines Low-Code and No-Code development, while at the same time, putting a special emphasis on the integrated collaboration, the cloud-native architecture, as well as the intuitive drag-and-drop development that provides users with an engaging visual interface.
Outsystems: This is a platform that helps you quickly create enterprise-grade mobile, web, and desktop software that can be deployed either on devices or in the cloud. The platform integrates all aspects of the enterprise in one collaborative environment to help businesses succeed in this new era of digital transformation. Essentially, it allows business users to design, develop, deploy and manage their apps without any coding expertise required. Outsystems also provides a web-based IDE and an
API for building, deploying, and managing applications. It is used by enterprises in various industries around the world including healthcare, finance, retail, telecommunications, and others.
Skyve: Skyve is an open-source low-code platform that gives you access to all of the key capabilities needed to build sophisticated, robust, and scalable cloud solutions. This platform is operating-system independent works with all common database types and is accessible through all common browsers and devices. By incorporating and integrating a range of other open-source technologies to handle persistence, rich UI, security, navigation, reporting, jobs, content, spatial, and mobile integration; Skyve
provides a platform with all the technology-specific areas required to support the standard for enterprise applications. Skyve also provides sophisticated validation and a high-level API so that you can build powerful enterprise SaaS solutions today.
Comidor: Comidor assists businesses in automating their workflows and business processes and developing cutting-edge Low-Code applications. Create your own custom applications with the LowCode Application Builder or browse the Comidor application marketplace for pre-existing apps that can help you streamline your overall business operations. Anyone in your organization can create and manage custom applications using a user-friendly environment, regardless of coding experience. Drag and drop functionality, reusability of pre-built application templates, connection with workflow diagrams, cloud-native architecture, and real-time data analysis are only some of the powerful features Comidor offers to users.
Nintex: Nintex is a low-code platform for process management and workflow automation. Nintex works to accelerate digital transformation within your organization. It’s worth noting that Nintex is highly rated with businesses in diverse industries reporting desirable returns on investment. So, when can you use Low-Code platforms for developments? The low code platforms are very effective in the below instances:
- Mobile Applications: Business-to-consumer (B2C) mobile apps can enhance customer experience and brand awareness across the board. But low-code development makes it possible.
- Custom apps: Sometimes the biggest problem businesses face isn’t reaching customers, but managing bottlenecks within their own organization. You can use low-code platforms to manage internal workflows.
- Microservices: There is a strong case for microservices based on principles such as loose coupling and service orientation. Low-code platforms can speed up this process exponentially. Within low-code platforms, you can find enterprise features and high-impact functionalities to re-build the architecture of your application.
- Data management: Data is a bigger part of day-to-day life than people care to admit. It’s the one thing separating a good hunch from highly qualified business intelligence. Sometimes generic software isn’t flexible enough to account for whatever data-related operation you must undertake for the sake of your business. The LCDP has had some pretty niche applications and can be effectively used for data science and management.