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Let’s talk a bit about the Evolution of Low Code technology , shall we?

Low-code is a new approach to software development that needs minimal coding to build various applications. A low-code technology building platform makes use of visual interfaces in combination with drag-and-drop topographies. 

As you can already understand, it uses simple logic for the overall activity. So what’s the catch here? Don’t you already see it? Low code technology helps you get rid of the knowledge of extensive coding languages. 

It is more of a visual programming platform that helps build applications with ease. If you do not belong to the tech world, this is something you will surely benefit from. It speeds up the deployment and application building process. How cool is that?

Here’s another catch! The whole process has further reduced manual hand-coding. This already sounds like simplified software automation. Doesn’t it?

These innate tools permit users who lack minimal knowledge of programming or software development to build applications for numerous purposes. It can be like business apps, mobile apps, or anything of similar sorts. Don’t you love it already?

These low coding platforms are evolving at a rapid pace and why not? This is a super-fast and easy alternative to the regular software development approach. It’s simple! All the professional developers as well as “citizen developers” or non-professional developers can make use of low-code technology platforms to build apps of various complexities. 

It helps meet business expectations for development, automate and industrialize processes, in addition to accelerating digital transformation. Such a win-win situation for all! 

So let’s dive into the details of Low Code technology, I am sure this will add value to you, so follow up!

Why is Low Code on the Rise?

These days, digital innovation has become the backbone of a business, the economy, and commerce. So why should building apps and soft wares be limited to the developers only?

Low Code technology can churn out the developer from anyone. As a result, non-technical users can easily build processes, features, and apps, as per their convenience. They don’t have to wait till they find able developers to shape their ideas. Fair enough, don’t you agree?  

This is a blessing for the IT sector as well, looking at the bigger picture. It eases out the pressure from them to code, build, and troubleshoot, in addition to implementing a solution. As a matter of fact, the non-technical users also bring along an entirely fresh, distinctive perspective, which has the capability to pave the path to innovation. How about that?

Low code technology also enhances IT to be more dynamic by stepping up the development procedure to build processes and applications in a matter of days instead of long gaps of months. The swiftness of low code platforms helps with the following:

• Make the adaptation of processes easier.
• Smoother navigation of digital transformation and that too without complexity or slowdowns.
• Faster deployments of solutions.

Features of Low-code platform

1.Visual Modeling Tools

Building apps using visual interfaces and mockups is faster than that using code. With the use of visual modeling competencies, low-code tech platforms make use of built-in mechanisms to signify any data for your business. This is open for all, including technical and non-technical users. Cool, right? 

2.Out-of-the-box functionality

Principal low-code systems deliver OOTB (out-of-the-box) functionality. This further abolishes the necessity to create core modules from scratch. Brilliant, I say!

3.Drag-and-Drop feature

Every customary low-code platform has a drag-and-drop interface. It is a great feature that allows easy navigation while building apps and processes for your business. Every user loves this interface and it is a huge hit in every domain already! 

4.Reusability

One crucial feature of the low-code tech platform is the use of pre-configured functionality and modules for apps. These have evolved to be the core segments for building apps, and want to know the best part? These modules can be reused for different apps, making the process smoother and saving a lot of time to make your business successful. Could it get any better?

5.Cross-Platform Accessibility

The most convenient part of low-code platforms is their multi-device compatibility. The basic use of cross-platform compatibility permits users to create apps that have the ability to run on all fundamental platforms as well as devices. Now isn’t it something you would want for your coding platform? Of course, you do!

6.Security

Security is everything! Even if your low-code platform is great and user-friendly, it is basically useless if security is not on point.  Authorize the security of your low-code development platform. This will help guard the apps that anyone is building and consequently build the trust of the users on the platform.

7.Scalability

Low-code tech platforms need to be scalable. They must be able to create new apps that can function smoothly even with a steep increase in the number of users.  I am sure you are with me on this.

8.Reporting and monitoring

Apps that are created using low-code tech platforms have the ability to monitor processes and workflows in order to analyze their efficiency. In addition to this, they also track the performance of additional apps and processes. After all, monitoring is important for every domain, don’t you think?

9.Application cycle administration

Low-code tools streamline and simplify numerous phases in the software development cycle. This includes testing, debugging, as well as deployment. This gives access to the users regarding information about the apps they built. 

With the given knowledge they can check out the previous forms for improved application cycle management. How great is that!

How Are Businesses Using Low Code technology?

Let’s check out the categories that include low-code platforms in businesses, okay? Here we go:

• Niche – the low code solutions are directed at typical business needs. You may use niche codes to create apps in the quickest way possible. 

• Ecosystem – this includes a higher software application. However, it still confines the user to niche-like competencies.

• Purpose-built – this is explicitly for the development of a custom application. Consequently, they are highly dynamic as well as scalable.

Businesses are utilizing all deviations of low code tools and platforms including:

• Business Process Management (BPM) plus optimization
• Development of Customer facing app
• App development & internal processes
• Rapid adoption of AI tools and services
• Legacy app replacement
• Improvements in Customer Experience 
• Scaling to back the high transaction and user volumes
• Combining platforms as well as legacy schemes
• Meeting security/privacy criteria

That’s a whole lot of utility, I know! This also marks the rapid evolution you see.

Source: ZDNet

How Low-Code is driving the Evolution of App Technology?

Now let’s listen to what the experts have to say!

Mark Weaser (Vice President, Asia Pacific, at OutSystems) predicts that around 60% of app development activity will be based on low-code by 2024. That’s a LOT!! Low-code is like a sister concept to a whole lot of rapid application development (RAD) tools. They are not exactly the same, but somewhat similar, as Weaser explains. 

RAD was pretty popular in the 1990s and 2000s. You must be wondering why! Well, RAD tools delivered a framework to create backend code. They did so, by reducing the size of code that was written to build an application. It was fundamentally used to digitalize business processes and what a success it was!

Okay, now guess what? Low-code is a very simplified technology compared to RAD. It implements visual programming and logic which helps decrease the initial complexities related to building apps and processes. What a blessing!

 “The trend on digital experience as a use case for low-code has been a straight line [up]. We are doing a lot more mobile apps for our customers that provide a service or product for a broad base of B2C type customers,” as explained by Weaser.

Powered by the digital era

Source: gfycat

We can’t call digitalization just a concept of innovation anymore. It has evolved to be an official necessity for businesses these days. Don’t you agree? different Business and corporations that had earlier not recognized the necessity to digitize are transforming their process right now since the global pandemic of COVID-19 struck the world hard. 

This is also the point that has fueled the need and use of low-code technology to emerge as the digital core of businesses and establishments. The 2024 takeover by low-code doesn’t seem so unreal now, does it? 

“Enterprises around the world are littered with what we call technical debt or legacy debt, and what low-code platforms do… is to help either replace parts of, or in whole those legacy systems, or to modernize them by providing a customization layer.” – Weaser.

With additional establishments wanting to shift to the digital infrastructure, low-code tech is helping them address and procure the right skills to do so. How great is that! 

The group of developers with the right capabilities that usually help these corporations shift to a digital platform is decreasing day by day. This in turn is fueling the approval of low-code technology.  I guess you can see the map of evolution already.

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has made the businesses that are based on a legacy system, to choose either of the two options:

• Go digital
• Shut it down.

So we all know the obvious winner between the given options, right?

“The pandemic is a terrible tragedy, but from a digital perspective, digital companies are attracting more attention and are busier than ever. It’s being driven by the demand for applications,” – Weaser 

Where will the developers go?

Source: gifer.com

The latest studies bring to light that the Asia Pacific region consists of a huge number of engineers and related graduates from the countries of India & China. The same people depend hugely on the tech revolution to deliver jobs and respectable positions in society. 

Do you see where I am going with this? The greatest concern here is, will the low-code automation technology render engineers and programmers jobless?

Coming to this debate or concern, whatever you choose to call it, there are mainly two major categories of thought. They are:

• Low-code automation will kill the potential jobs of coders.
• Low-code automation will produce jobs creating a hybrid working ecosystem. 

Furthermore, if you look at the bigger picture here, low-code technology decentralizes coding. How? Well, you don’t need o know authentic coding or programming languages to give shape to your ideas. Isn’t that desirable? Come on!

Nevertheless, to make this a success, there are two things to consider:  equitable as well as qualitative access to low-code technology. I am sure you agree to this! The access needs to be well-distributed in order to build a community of developers and non-developers, using low-code technology to grow and evolve.

In due course, similar to many additional tools, low-code technology is all about helping people work in a better way with greater efficiency. It may possibly not be the exact way to transform the software landscape. However, it can be a way to an evolutionary approach in the future of how the world unites and works based on a common source of knowledge!

Overview

So to wrap it up, low code platforms have enabled the non-technical people to build and modify apps as per their convenience. That too without the core knowledge of coding and its complexities. The drag-and-drop facility helps industries process maps, indulge in automatic code generation etc. Sounds good, right?

Low code applications provide an agile app development atmosphere deprived of the complication of traditional programming ethics. 

The theory of low code development was conceptualized in the year 2014. Conceptualized as in, the term was coined in 2014 but as per reports, the concept was floating in the 90s itself. However, with several iterations and modifications, low-code technology has evolved to what it is today!

Low code builds a space where applications and processes are deployed faster and smoother, user experience is easily revised and worked upon to provide the best results. Wait, there’s more! Even the IT backlogs are easily reduced. How great is that? Tell me! 

So yes! If you happen to be a forward-thinking enterprise or a startup to be precise, reach out to us at ThecodeWork for more information on low-code technology. We will help you build an MVP model to shape your ideas and you will soon see the rapid growth for yourself. 

Till then, happy coding!