Low-code platforms have grown significantly in popularity in recent years. Because they save time and are intuitive. These platforms have some advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when using low-code.
Low-code for easy development of software, websites, online shops and business tools
The term low-code describes a way of working that is possible without extensive knowledge of programming languages. This is because low-code development platforms are programmed in such a way that they can be operated intuitively. Graphically presented tools are provided that make working easy. This significantly reduces the time required to develop programs, websites, online shops and business tools, which leads to significant cost savings. In addition, employees can easily be trained in low-code environments. As a result, individuals, but also entire project teams, can professionally create software with just a few programming skills and with the help of such a low-code tool. It is then no longer necessary to type in tens of thousands of lines of code and neither is the knowledge of how to program a program or a website.
The most distinctive features of low-code platforms
Typically, a low-code development platform comes with a drag-and-drop visual interface. With this, you can easily implement ideas according to your own ideas according to the motto “What You See Is What You Get”. Each user can also set the drag-and-drop interface so that they can quickly maintain a daily routine. Libraries can also be used in low-code tools to create the actual code base. When using a low-code platform to create software or a website, so-called code shortcuts are used, which are intended to speed up work and the development process. These code shortcuts have been around for many years and also speed up integrated development environments. Using automated development tools, creating and testing the software is also much easier. Low-code platforms are also comparable to open-source programs, which many developers use to save time and build products faster. Because basically, programming doesn't have to constantly reinvent the wheel. Pre-programmed tools and libraries, which can be found on low-code platforms, definitely help to speed up daily work processes. Apparently, such tools offer you numerous Opportunities and opportunities. However, when viewed in detail, they also hide some problems that may arise and that you should think of before introducing low-code in your company or for a specific project. In the following, you'll learn all about the advantages and disadvantages of low-code platforms.
The basic structure of low-code platforms
To describe how such tools are structured, it is worth taking a look at classic software development tools. In comparison, there is a data store, a kind of framework, an IDE and a development language, and usually many APIs from third-party providers. Such tools therefore consist of many small parts that can be created into a functioning overall unit. In order to implement an improvement of errors later on and to create an analysis, low-code platforms provide a good, overview of the processes and processes, which makes it possible to monitor and scale operations and processes. As a result, these tasks can be completed easily and in a time-saving manner by the user and the project can be continuously optimized.
Low-code platform: functionality and features
Basically, a low-code platform is based on many different settings. The components therein are repetitive and can be used in a variety of ways. A very important and essential function of low-code platforms is visual development, which takes place one-to-one. This allows you to easily draw business processes and data models with low-code. The user interface allows you to see all important factors. In addition, the resulting structures are very easy to control. In addition, the integration of the database can be automated if the platform provides program interfaces. In any case, such tools should be a modern and simple tool to provide visual implementations. The individually defined drag-and-drop interfaces ensure that work in IT departments is relieved and can be implemented by laymen in this industry. The working environment of such tools can be individually adapted, which makes the user's daily routine easier and saves a lot of time overall.
The benefits of low-code platforms in detail
- Low-code allows you to develop your programming project much faster and more agile. It doesn't matter whether you want to implement software, a website, an online shop or a project management tool. In any case, writing countless lines of code is no longer necessary with low-code. You also don't have to pay attention to command messages and correct syntax, which usually take a long time. All you have to do is use the available tools and settings to implement your visual and functional ideas.
- Such tools can also be used by employees who are not IT experts. This is because the graphical programming of low-code environments enables people with easy programming knowledge to create and optimize applications themselves. In companies, this relieves the IT department, which can then focus on more demanding activities. Low-code is also suitable for daily recurring tasks and expansions, which can then be easily outsourced to other departments. In any case, this saves a lot of money and time.
- With low-code, tasks can be easily expressed as higher-level points. The platform can then use algorithms and libraries to learn from these settings. Optimizations can then be carried out automatically based on processes and user behavior.
- With low-code platforms, you can not only develop software or a website faster. Updating and changing the project can also be carried out more quickly. Because it is not uncommon for a website or web shop to be brought up to date. Even the layman can do this with low-code.
- Whereas in the past the development of software took place somewhere in secret and the non-programming experts had to be notified again and again about the current state of affairs, today virtually anyone can participate in the development process. This saves major changes to the product and enables experts from other departments to directly participate in development. This is very important, for example, when developing large e-commerce projects, where expansion must be constantly worked on. With low-code, many unskilled, IT-savvy people can now be used to participate in the development.
- Low-code also offers other benefits for teamwork, such as setting common standards and the ability to track codes. This makes it possible to review the work steps of individual contributors. Individual team members can also make corrections and create optimizations.
- Nowadays, there is a large shortage of qualified specialists in many companies. There are often gaps in the team that can be closed by using easy-to-use low-code platforms. Because the only requirement for using low-code is an understanding of business processes.
- Anyone involved in a project that was created using low-code is given the opportunity to create a variety of elements for settings and rules, which can be used by all users of the platform. You can also determine which team members are allowed to use it and which are not. It is possible that users and settings can be tracked to create change logs that allow activity to be reviewed afterwards.
- The positive effects on application analysis are very beneficial. This is because a low-code platform can use an appropriate tool to collect user habits of the software, website or online shop in order to benefit from them to optimize the software. With this information, you can compare the performance of one application with that of another and update it accordingly.
Disadvantages of low-code platforms
Low-code platforms offer you very convincing advantages. Nevertheless, you should also take a closer look at the downsides of low-code to know what you're getting yourself into. Because there are potential risks associated with low-code tools. As an entrepreneur, you should weigh up whether it makes sense to use the platform based on the disadvantages.
- A low-code tool produces codes that you cannot optimize afterwards. IT professionals know that there are always different ways to solve a task. However, programming by hand can be the easiest and fastest. However, this is not possible with previously produced code. It is not possible to increase performance by coding by hand afterwards.
- Such tools must be set up in a way that makes working with them easier and more efficient in the future. This means you must first express higher-level tasks and conditions in code libraries so that many applications with low code requirements work later on.
- Depending on how many people are involved in creating the code base, code from another user may not be as efficient as you would like.
- At the same time, users of low-code platforms do not know how the code on which the programming is based works — i.e. how it was written. This leads to problems at the latest when there is intervention from outside. In other words, when it comes to security, a low-code platform certainly entails high risks. However, projects can be set up by experienced developers in such a way that errors that can lead to security problems are avoided. A strong security mindset is therefore an extremely important part of the compliance strategy. Anyone who decides to work with low-code platforms should therefore always test the project for known vulnerabilities. Because only then can you identify security gaps in the base of the codes as quickly as possible.
- Working with such platforms also has certain limits at some point. It is therefore not as free as manually coded websites and programs.
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Conclusion: Select the right tool for the project carefully
There are numerous developments and more than 60 providers on the market for low-code platforms. Some platforms can be used for absolutely any project. Others, however, specialize in specific applications. There are also many low-code platforms aimed at non-programmers. The development market is also revealing its own platforms, which are specifically intended for programmers who want to speed up their workload. Therefore, one platform is not always suitable for all purposes. Choose the tool carefully and consider which one is best for your project with regard to future contributors. By the way, the best 10 low-code tools can be found here! When choosing the tool, also keep in mind that one platform can only implement your ideas to a limited extent. For some platforms, it is difficult or even impossible to incorporate some features. Because if the tool can't generate the required code, you need an experienced developer who creates a library, module, or code and implements it. Problems can also arise when it comes to integrating other tools using programming interfaces. Because there is often no guarantee that a low-code platform will support APIs. Even then, you would have to call in a professional to solve such a problem.
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