The Low-Code to No-Code Revolution
Recently, someone on Twitter with the username @sharifsameem has gone viral and turned everyone in awe as he shows a tool he just built called debuild.co, which is a ‘functioning’ React app by describing what you wanted to in GPT-3.
The difference and examples
The main difference between the two is the likely users for each platform. Software developers use low code platforms to abbreviate their work. Hence, it requires the mastery of programming language. It enables faster and cheaper delivery of programming. A task that used to take months to create can be done just in hours. Compared to the no-code, the low-code platforms may provide greater flexibility in UI options at the cost of additional coding requirements. Meanwhile, the no-code only relies on a preset UI. Examples of low-code platforms are Salesforce, Quickbase, Creatio, etc.
On the other hand, the no-code platforms are used by non-tech backgrounds or “citizen developers” to build a digital product adjusted to their needs. It uses a flowchart method without needing to write a single line of code. It erases the barrier to gaining maximum benefits of the internet, which used to require a code-mastery. Airtable, Zapier, Webflow, and Google AppSheet, Amazon Honey Code, and Microsoft’s Azure PowerApps are examples of no-code platforms.
The benefits and consequences
The low-code and no-code (LCNC) platforms helped businesses accelerate their digital transformation by simplifying their IT teams’ work. It would help organizations become more agile, cost-saving, expedite development while reducing costs. Tandeming it with enterprise IT solutions would ensure their relevance in a fast-paced and dynamic business environment. Other than that, data scientists love LCNC as they do not need to learn any programming language or docker. No-code data science tools are out there and are only to get better.
The no-code platforms, significantly, have democratized and scaled processes, tools, and access to mediums previously available only to a small set of people. The democratization helped unleashed the creative potential of all humankind. The more and the easier access opened, the more creativity and output would go through the roof. It has become a movement based on the fundamental belief that technology must facilitate creation without limitations. As its fandom said, the potential is tremendous; it is ready to change the world.
The analogy of the no-code movement is like playing lego. It takes the engineering out of the app-building. It allows the user to build software only using plain/casual language, visuals, and other tools that were traditionally built with code. There is no need to get a degree in computer science to deploy a digital product. No more confusion over what hosting to use, how to containerize, remembering which ssh key to use, and you name it.
However, there is no rose without the torn. While the movement has recently gained its moment and popularity, they are not here to replace every programming language. Many no-code solutions only offer minimum customization; you can not finetune every step. It has a model-driven function with a declarative approach where the user creates an app through drag and drop manipulation or simple logic. Furthermore, if it is done with not much supervision, a risk for increased error and security breach is prominent. This could result in overwhelmed corrections and damage mitigation tasks of an organization.
Will it be a gamechanger?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the LCNC tools became increasingly important. It brings applications faster than ever by simplifying complex development procedures, showing companies’ agility during difficult times. While reducing cost, reusing concept and recycling code lets developers use the pre-built components to accelerate the development process.
Gartner, an IT consulting company, forecasted that by 2024, 65% of all digital product development would rely on low-code no-code platforms and tools. It makes sense as LCNC platforms are generally cheaper and faster than traditional web/app development as it can reduce the time by up to 90%. Moreover, Forrester Wave expects that the low-code market will exceed $21 billion in spending by 2022.
As it shows massive growth potential, venture capitals are showing their interest to invest in LCNC. For instance, Airtable, a no-code platform for database and spreadsheet service with automated features, has recently received its $185 million investment from Thrive Capital, putting the company at a $2.585 billion valuation.
Besides that, McKinsey’s research showed that organizations that empower citizen developers could achieve 33% higher innovative indicators than those who do not. Involving more minds leads to more ideas. Other than that, expanding app development outside of DevOps and IT made possible diversity of thought which can meet a wider variety of needs. Eventually, citizen developers’ use allowed experienced programmers to focus on more challenging and more rewarding tasks. Fred Luddy, the ServiceNow founder, verily supports this initiative as he said, “unless it is a cake, there’s no need to bake from scratch.”
Conclusion
In a world where creating digital products have little to no boundaries to entry, the value that would last still is system thinking walks hand-in-hand with profound knowledge of your field. Eventually, it is a good thing when technological tools can be popular building blocks to create something more significant. People’ coding’ themselves might look like those of us who build our furniture. It is admirable but more like a hobbyist task than an efficient overall as such a professional carpenter.
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Contributor: Rachmadita Kusumastiti
