What Is Low-Code or No-Code Development?

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, the demand for faster and more efficient software development has never been higher. Traditional coding methods often require extensive time, expertise, and resources. Additionally, these methods increase the risk of human error, as every line of code must be written manually.

Enter no-code and low-code development platforms. These solutions enable a broader range of individuals, including those with limited programming knowledge, to create applications. They offer drag-and-drop functionality to streamline app development and empower business users to participate in software workflows. But what is low-code, exactly?

Below, we’ll answer the questions “What is low code, no code, and traditional application development?” You’ll also learn how these more accessible software development protocols can support your digital transformation and enable your team to create robust business applications.

What Is Low-Code?

Low-code platforms are development environments that provide teams with visual interfaces to build applications. These solutions significantly reduce the amount of hand-coding required by offering pre-built components and drag-and-drop interfaces.

Typically, these solutions feature graphical user interfaces where developers can design workflows and menus without writing extensive code. These platforms come with a library of pre-built templates and modules, enabling faster app assembly.

Low-code application platforms often include tools for integrating with existing systems and databases, such as APIs. These features make it easier for your team to consolidate business processes using new applications.

Additionally, low-code tools offer exceptional scalability. While they are used by professional developers, your non-technical users can contribute to major projects, too. Those with little coding knowledge can focus on the drag-and-drop phase of app development, while those with more coding experience can create custom lines of code to yield a bespoke solution.

There are many use cases for low-code development tools. Low-code solutions allow you to create better user experiences, automate workflows, and generate customer-facing applications. They are useful for IT teams needing to achieve rapid application development.

What Is No-Code?

No-code platforms take the low-code approach a step further, enabling your team to develop a complete application with zero coding. These solutions are designed to be user-friendly, often targeting business users or citizen developers who have no programming background.

No-code development platforms prioritize simplicity and ease of use. They frequently feature drag-and-drop builders and intuitive design tools. Your team can start each build with a template for common application types, such as forms, workflows, and dashboards. Then, you can customize the platform based on your company’s unique needs.

Perhaps most importantly, no-code tools have built-in logic and rules. Users can define and customize these rules using visual workflows, which eliminates the need for manual coding. With a little practice, your team can build software applications with just a few clicks, which accelerates time to market and gives you a competitive advantage.

By offering a fully visual development process, users won’t have to learn programming languages or spend dozens of hours tracking down bugs. While you’ll still need to build and optimize prototypes during the development process, you can get each iteration completed faster and with fewer errors.

What Is the Difference Between a Low-Code, No-Code & Traditional Code Platform?

Understanding the distinctions between low-code, no-code, and traditional frameworks will help you identify the best environment in which to build your custom applications. With that in mind, the following takes a closer look at each of the three primary development solutions:

Traditional

The traditional development approach requires a team of highly experienced application developers who are proficient in several coding languages. While this approach offers the highest level of flexibility and control, it can also be especially resource-intensive. Development teams will have to pour hundreds of hours into enterprise applications.

On the positive side, this method allows you to customize your applications for performance and scalability. Everything about the app will be tailored to the needs of your business and its customers. As such, you can incorporate advanced features like machine learning and artificial intelligence, which can extend the asset lifecycle and maximize your return on investment.

Low-Code

Think of low code as the happy medium. Low-code technology allows you to create dynamic web and mobile apps very quickly while also enjoying some customization benefits. You can use it to reduce project timetables and transition to a custom coding approach when necessary.

While more accessible than traditional coding, low-code platforms are still primarily used by professional developers looking to accelerate the development process. Therefore, you’ll need an experienced team to leverage the platform. However, you probably won’t need as many staff members or resources as you would with the traditional approach.

No-Code

Last up are no-code tools, which are designed for teams with no programming knowledge. These platforms can be used by anyone who knows their way around a computer. By removing your dependency on highly experienced developers, you can accelerate project timetables and reduce the amount of resources necessary to create an app.

While this option offers unmatched speed and simplicity, it also provides minimal customization opportunities. You can offset this hurdle by choosing a solution with a huge library of templates and add-ons.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Low-Code or No-Code Environment?

Both low-code and no-code solutions offer numerous perks, making them an appealing option for your business if it’s looking to streamline app development. Here are a few benefits of each approach:

Low Code

By adopting low-code solutions, you’ll be able to develop apps much faster and reduce the need for extensive coding. Cutting back on your team size and project timetables can also drive down costs, freeing up capital for other investments and optimization opportunities.

One of the less obvious perks of low-code tools is that they promote better interdepartmental collaboration. Under the traditional model, non-IT pros will have a tough time contributing anything meaningful to an app development project.

However, visualization tools allow everyone, from line-level users to business analysts and finance experts, to get involved. They can assist the IT team in creating more user-friendly tools that support your business goals while also simplifying team members’ day-to-day.

As your needs change, you can easily go back and scale your apps. Many of the pre-built features and functions are reusable, which means you can build new applications without starting from square one.

No Code

By opting for a no-code solution, you can empower non-developers to contribute to the technological growth of your business. Non-technical staff can assist with app creation and build dynamic tools that will help them be more productive each day.

The codeless approach also facilitates quick prototyping and immediate deployment, which makes it ideal for testing new ideas and concepts. By allowing more team members to contribute to the project, you will also decrease labor costs and minimize the need to bring in outside talent.

One of the biggest perks is that business users can directly translate their knowledge into functional applications. They understand the needs of key departments better than IT. Thanks to no-code tools, they’ll be able to use these insights to create more impactful tools that are a better fit for the company.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Low-Code or No-Code Platform?

If you’re sold on the concept of no-code or low-code app development, you only have one thing left to do: choose a great platform. There are multiple factors to consider during your selection process.

Always prioritize ease of use in your selection process. You need to choose a solution that has an intuitive interface that aligns with the skill levels of your intended users. Remember, your goal is to encourage buy-in and get more people involved in app development. This won’t happen if you choose a clunky, tedious-to-use solution.

Next, shift your attention to customization and flexibility. For low-code platforms, check to see whether the tool allows you to add custom code. While no-code tools rarely do, the best options will provide extensive templates and component libraries that should facilitate adequate customization.

You’ll also need a solution that offers integration with existing technology tools. Creating a unified network of IT applications will promote transparency and information sharing across the entire organization. Moreover, you’ll be able to eliminate data silos and encourage your teams to collaborate.

Lastly, address any security and compliance concerns. If you are in a tightly regulated industry, ensure that the platform you choose will strengthen your compliance posture.

How Own Embraces Low-Code or No-Code Development

At Own, we designed our platform to be no-code, which makes our products easy for non-development pros to implement and use, because protecting data should be accessible to everyone.

Additionally, our team helps Salesforce users by delivering dynamic solutions, many of which can help you embrace the low-code, no-code revolution without endangering critical business data. While getting more people involved in the development process can be great for your organization, it also increases the chance of human error. 

We can help with our products like Accelerate and Recover. Check them out, and let us protect your critical organizational data.