The idea of a low code application platform has become a trend in recent years. By 2024, Gartner projects that low code will comprise more than 65% of app development activity. The need to offer digital solutions for COVID-19 has increased this trend.

It’s vital to understand the notion of low code. A low code platform is a development environment. It allows non-technical users to create applications. These apps can be deployed on the cloud.

Low code platforms use visual programming languages. They are typically compatible with multiple devices. Also, they are featured to work with operating systems. With a little research, you can easily find a perfect low-code application platform for you that suits your needs. 

What is a low code application platform?

The low code application platform is a method of designing and developing software. They are specifically used to design software with no coding. Low code application platforms enable enterprises to create unique solutions. For these unique solutions, they provide cutting-edge features. These features are tailored to certain business models. These platforms provide easy visual builders, ready-to-use code snippets, and form & report templates. They also have built-in connectors. These are used to accelerate development. Also, they expand the potential to innovate to a wider audience.

Users can also get right to work on their apps. These platforms automate common coding tasks. These common coding tasks include framework creation, data modeling, and user interface development.

What are the benefits of using a low code application platform?

Here are some advantages of low-code development.

A low code application platform is often easier to use

The platforms provide drag-and-drop interfaces and visual editors. They allow non-technical business users to create apps quickly. Business users can design screens using the platform’s visual editing tools. They can easily connect them with data sources, business rules, and other functionalities via connectors. This makes it possible to develop complete custom applications. Also, there’s no need to write any code as well in these low code application platforms. 

A low code application platform can promote increased development agility

Low-code platforms can help companies accelerate application development. With them, they can create custom applications quickly. Also, teams can work together better. Thus, they can work on the same app in real-time.

A low code application platform allows you to create interfaces with Drag-and-Drop

Drag-and-drop usage is available on every established low-code platform. It is one of the most significant and beneficial elements. It facilitates the development process. 

It assists both citizen hobbyist and professional developers.

The time to market can be much quicker with a low code application platform

Low code platforms allow businesses to create applications. These apps can be deployed directly and quickly. This means that businesses can get their products and services to market faster. This is important in today’s fast-moving environment.

Lower usage cost

Low code platforms are cheaper than traditional software development. They do not require developers to write code manually. Low code platforms are also easy to use. Less experienced IT experts can operate them without compromising processor security.

Increased productivity with low code application platforms – little or no code means less work and more efficiency

Because low code platforms are so intuitive, you can build your entire application without writing any code. This means that you don’t need expensive developers or programmers on staff. Anyone can create an application with a low code platform!

Security and governance

Low code application platforms house all of your application’s security framework. They are responsible for authentication mechanisms and governance controls in one place. Also, they make security easy to administer across the board.

Who can build using a low code application platform?

Leading firms produce creative software solutions across industries. Low code can handle a wide range of use cases.

Professional developers

Professional developers have years of experience building software using traditional tools. They are comfortable with coding and understand how software is built from scratch. Low code offers a way for them to build applications without learning new languages or tools quickly.

Citizen hobbyist developers

Citizen developers (developers who are coding for funny or as hobby) often have more limited technical skills than professional full-time developers. But they want to create apps that allow them to automate tasks in their daily work life. Also, they want it to be done without any help. Low code gives citizen developers a way to create applications that meet their needs. They don’t need advanced technical skills or high levels of training with traditional development tools.

What are the limitations of a low code application platform?

Low code platforms have some limitations too:

Scalability can be a problem with a low code application platform

Low code platforms are great for creating simple apps that do one thing well. But they don’t scale very well when building complex systems with many different components. For example, if you want to build an app with multiple screens and process data from different sources. You will likely find it difficult to do it alone on a low code platform.

Picking the wrong low code application platform can mean the created app is difficult to maintain

A low code platform can be more difficult to maintain than traditional software development platforms. There is no source code available for review or modification by developers. In other words, if a bug appears in your application or if you need to make changes to it, fixing these issues will require much more effort.

Lack of flexibility and customization

Some low code application platforms are designed for specific tasks. So, if you have unique requirements, you may not be able to find a solution that fits your needs. For example, if you want to build a system that allows users to place orders from the same page as their inventory list. Then this could be difficult to achieve with a low code platform.

Lack of integration can narrow your horizons

Many businesses use multiple systems at once. These platforms don’t usually integrate very well with other systems and tools. They’re designed to be standalone solutions. Rather than part of an ecosystem of software products. So it’s important to make sure your chosen low-code platform integrates with these systems seamlessly. If it doesn’t, it could create problems for users who need access across different software platforms. Many low-code platforms don’t offer this type of integration at all. So, if yours does, make sure it works well before choosing it as your main tool.

Missing built-in functionality

Low code platforms don’t have built-in functionality for supporting multiple languages or currencies. To build a system that supports multiple languages or currencies, you need to use a custom-built solution instead of a low code platform.

Some low code application platforms are expensive

Developing an app using a low-code platform is more expensive. This means you might need to spend more time and money to get the app you want, which could mean less time for other important tasks.

Some low code application tool design can be restrictive or offer very limited choices

Low code platforms do not support complex design patterns. So they are not suitable for complex applications. They can’t manage apps with multiple screens, navigation between views, and complex event handling logic.

Are low code application platforms easier for businesses to create and deploy?

Low code platforms are designed to enable businesses to develop their applications. They allow the development without the need for specialized programmers or developers. Instead, these tools allow non-technical users to build their apps. They provide templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and pre-built components. This can make it easier for small as well as large companies. They can build custom apps that meet their specific needs.

With low code platforms like RAD Studio, Delphi, and C++ Builder, developers can focus on developing core processes. Meanwhile, other people within the company can add customizations as needed. It’s also easier for organizations to keep track of all changes made by different users. This is because there’s one central location where all changes are stored.

Reference:

1. https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-08-12/low-code-is-the-future-outsystems-named-a-leader-in-the-2019-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-enterprise-low-code-application