Understanding Low-Code Development: Myths, Benefits, and How to Choose the Right Platform
Understanding Low-Code Development: Myths, Benefits, and How to Choose the Right Platform
Low-code platforms are transforming how developers approach, design, and execute projects. This development approach is increasingly becoming a go-to for developers and citizen developers alike, particularly when building their internal tools.
Despite the numerous advantages of adopting low-code, there seems to be a persistent cloud of myths surrounding this development approach. These misconceptions often overshadow the potential benefits and efficacy of low-code platforms, causing hesitation in fully embracing low-code.
This article dissects the essence of low-code development, debunking myths and highlighting truths, as well as providing an in-depth look at how to effectively choose low-code platforms.
What is low-code and why is it becoming a trend?
At its core, low-code is a streamlined approach to software development, designed to expedite the creation of applications with minimal coding. It leverages intuitive visual interfaces, simple logic, and drag-and-drop features, integrating with databases or APIs to effectively reduce reliance on traditional, extensive coding languages.
The essence of low-code development lies in its simplicity and efficiency. The increasing popularity of low-code development lies not only on the fact that democratizes the development process by lowering entry barriers for non-developers but also offers developers a more efficient way to create applications. It's about spending less time writing code and more time focusing on crucial aspects of the project, making it a win-win for developers and business leaders alike.
Despite these benefits and the growing adaptability of low-code in tech teams, there's still significant resistance among developers. This resistance often stems from myths surrounding low-code.
Debunking myths and unveiling truths about low code
There are many myths around low-code due to misconceptions and lack of understanding about its capabilities. Some people might see it as a simplistic approach that only non-developers use, or they may worry about security, vendor lock-in, and lack of customization. These myths often arise from a lack of experience with low-code platforms or resistance to change from traditional coding methods.
Here are several of the most common misconceptions that surround low-code development space:
Myths | Truths | Why This Myth Exists |
Low-code is only for simple applications. | While low-code simplifies building straightforward apps, it's fully capable of creating complex, enterprise-grade applications. | Some may assume that the simplicity of low-code means it can't handle complex tasks. This often stems from the fact that low-code platforms use simplified, visual development interfaces with drag-and-drop features, which can create the impression that they are designed only for simple tasks or apps. Platforms for citizen developers focus on simple use cases; complex tasks are handled by professional teams, and this may contribute to the misconception. |
Low-code means low customization. | Some low-code platforms offer extensive customization options, such as defining business-specific logic, integrating with various databases or APIs, etc. This empowers teams to tailor applications to their unique needs. | The pre-built nature of low-code platforms can lead to assumptions of limited flexibility. Additionally, many people confuse low-code with no-code. Unlike no-code platforms, low-code platforms allow development teams to customize and control apps elements through coding. |
Low-code development is only for citizen-developers. | Although low-code platforms make development accessible to citizen-developers, they also significantly expedite the development process for experienced developers. | The user-friendly nature of low-code platforms might suggest that they're not suitable for professional developers. This could be due to their drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built components, which could be perceived as not challenging or engaging enough for professional developers who are used to writing complex code. |
Low-code results in vendor lock-in. | Many low-code platforms, especially open-source solutions, use open standards and offer easy integration with other systems, reducing the risk of vendor lock-in. | Reliance on a platform's specific features can cause vendor dependency concerns. If a platform's proprietary features are crucial to your app, vendors ceasing operations or changing platforms could necessitate significant changes to the app's structure or functionality, making it hard to switch providers or adopt new technologies. This rightly creates concern about a form of 'vendor lock-in’. However, some platforms offer open source deployments, or the ability to run applications stand-alone, that can help to mitigate these concerns. |
Low-code is not secure. | Reputable low-code platforms prioritize security, offering features to enhance data privacy and ensure compliance with security standards. In the case of open-source low-code platforms, users have greater visibility into the platform's codebase. This transparency allows them to see exactly how the code works and make any modifications if necessary. | As low-code platforms handle much of the coding, users might worry about potential vulnerabilities due to lack of control. |
Choosing low-code platform, a SaaS platform, or building from scratch?
The decision between using a low-code platform and building from scratch depends on several factors, including project requirements, the development team's skill level, time constraints, and budget.
Low-code platforms can be ideal for projects that require quick development, frequent changes, or non-developer involvement.
Building from scratch might suit businesses seeking full control over the infrastructure, prioritizing their needs without reliance on vendors, or requiring highly specific customizations unsupported by low-code platforms.
Opting for a SaaS platform can be beneficial for businesses that require a quick solution without the need for extensive customization. SaaS platforms are typically user-friendly and require minimal setup, offering a range of functionalities right out of the box.
They are ideal for businesses that prefer a subscription-based model and do not have extensive in-house development resources. However, they may not offer the level of customization or control that a low-code platform or a solution built from scratch would provide. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the specific needs and resources of your business.
What can you build with a low-code tool?
IT automation application built in Appsmith.
Low-code is commonly used for internal tools, although it's not exclusive to them. Some common use cases include:
Custom dashboards or admin panels - Creating simple interfaces to view and interact with data, and gain insights from internal or company databases. One example is HeyJobs, who leveraged Appsmith to rebuild their legacy applications, resulting in a faster and more intuitive dashboard experience.
Customer 360 or support tools - Applications that bring together data across multiple systems to give support reps a full view of the customer, and tools to resolve issues quickly.
IT automation - Custom interfaces for IT scripts that allow teams to more easily run automated processes like provisioning and patching with better security and governance. This was the case with GSK, who used Appsmith to build an app in just one sprint to patch their fleet of 3,500 Linux servers.
Enterprise app extensions - Adding custom functionality to internal platforms, or extending platform data to teams that don’t have seat license. Just as F22 Labs created their custom dashboards using Appsmith, which allowed them to track development and design resources across multiple projects and saves them $1,200 a month.
How to choose a low-code platform?
There are many factors that should be considered before choosing which low-code platform is the best fit for your use case. Here is a summarized list of things to consider before choosing a platform.
Ease of use
The platform should have an intuitive, user-friendly interface that simplifies the app-building process for all users. This includes facilitating use and improving collaboration between developers and citizen-developers who might not be familiar with complex coding.
The platform should provide clear guidance, helpful in-app resources and features, and a clean, organized layout for a smooth user experience.
Developer-friendly
The platform should offer code-level control, making it easy to add custom code and import external libraries. Integration with Git is crucial to ensure the platform works effectively within a modern Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
It should support environments, Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), and auto-deployment features. Additionally, the platform should handle proprietary scripting or custom languages efficiently.
Customization
The platform should offer extensive customization options to allow you to tailor the applications to fit your unique business needs. A platform allowing customization usually includes features such as the ability to modify the user interface (UI), flexibility in defining business-specific logic, and integration capabilities with various databases or APIs.
It also provides options to add custom code or import external libraries, and it may offer open-source code for user modifications.
Integration
The platform should integrate easily with your existing systems, databases, and APIs. It allows you to leverage your current tech stack, avoid data silos, and ensure your applications are always updated with the most recent data.
Scalability
As your business grows, the platform should be able to accommodate an increase in the size and complexity of your app. A scalable platform ensures that your apps can evolve alongside your business needs without requiring a complete overhaul.
If a low-code platform is difficult to scale, you might face performance issues, limitations in adding new features, and increased costs related to migrating to a new platform.
Security
The platform should have robust security measures in place to protect your data and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. A secure low-code platform should have industry-standard security certifications like ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, or GDPR compliance, and offer encryption for data at rest and in transit.
It should provide robust authentication mechanisms, and have granular access control mechanisms for restricting user permissions and roles. It's crucial that the platform regularly updates its system to patch vulnerabilities and undergoes regular security audits by third-party experts.
The platform should also have features to ensure compliance with legal and industry standards, such as HIPAA or PCI-DSS, and receive positive security reviews from its user community.
Support and community
The platform should have a strong support system and active community to help you troubleshoot issues and learn best practices.This is crucial as it provides assistance and resources for problem-solving. Users can learn from others' experiences and get help quickly when encountering issues. It fosters a learning environment and can accelerate the platform mastering process.
Pricing
Consider the pricing structure of the platform and whether it fits within your budget. A beneficial pricing for a low-code platform would be one that offers a good balance between cost and features. It could include a tiered pricing structure that allows you to choose a plan based on the features you need, with the option to upgrade as your needs expand.
It would also be advantageous if the pricing model is scalable and affordable, growing with your business and not imposing cost barriers for initial adoption. Offering a free trial or a freemium version can be beneficial as well, allowing you to test the platform before making a financial commitment.
Business case and ROI
Your business case involves evaluating the need, feasibility, and potential return on investment (ROI) for acquiring a low-code platform. This will help you determine if this investment aligns with your business's specific needs and goals.
By evaluating the feasibility and potential ROI, you can make an informed decision about whether the benefits of a low-code platform, such as increased efficiency and productivity, will outweigh the costs.
Stakeholders
Identifying stakeholders is important in the decision-making process as they will be directly impacted by the adoption and use of the low-code platform. Their input can provide valuable insights into the platform's usability, functionality needs, and potential challenges.
Understanding their needs and concerns can help ensure the platform is effectively used and meets the desired objectives. Ensuring stakeholder buy-in can also facilitate smoother implementation and promote higher user engagement and satisfaction.
Appsmith- an open-source, developer-friendly low-code platform
There are many low-code platforms to build your business apps. But Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform that stands out with a developer-centric approach, extensive customization options, and integration capabilities, making it a versatile choice for both developers and citizen-developers alike.
With Appsmith, you can streamline your development process, focus on your unique business needs, and effectively bridge the gap between building and buying software. You can easily get started for free. But if your team is seeking more customization options, a higher level of security, and dedicated support, you can get started for free with our Business edition.
