Low code is back in fashion. What are its advantages?

preface

A low-code development platform is one that generates applications quickly with little or no coding. The visual approach to application development enables developers of all levels of experience to create Web and mobile applications using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic through a graphical user interface.

Low code market statistics

Forrester estimates that the total market for low-code development platforms will grow to $15.5 billion by 2020. Segments in the market include databases, request processing, mobile, process-based, and generic low-code platforms. The growth of the market for low code development can be attributed to its flexibility and ease of use. Low code development platforms are shifting their focus to application generality and the ability to add custom code when needed or desired. Gartner estimates that by 2024, code application development will account for 65% of all application development activity.

What are the advantages of low code

** Fast on hand: ** Due to the characteristics of low code or zero code, there is no doubt that it will greatly reduce the difficulty of learning programming language, especially 0 code (no code) development platform, even completely do not understand the program language business personnel can quickly learn and application development.

** Fast development: ** Development efficiency is greatly improved due to the use of a large number of components and encapsulated interfaces for development, as well as the integration of cloud computing IaaS and PaaS layer capabilities; Generally speaking, low code can increase development efficiency by 30% or more, while zero code (no code) can increase development efficiency by several times. And significantly reduce development costs.

** Fast: ** This is a relative term. Overall, the overall quality of code is better than the industry average due to the automated way in which executable code is generated by low or zero code development platforms; Bugs are more manageable and the code is more secure.

** Easy to maintain: ** In general, low code development platforms or zero code development platforms, due to the component format and object-oriented development approach, make the code more structured and generally easier to maintain.

What’s the difference between low code and zero code

Both low-code platforms and no-code (also known as zero-code) platforms are built around the same idea of “agility.” Although it looks roughly the same. But in fact they serve very different purposes.

Codeless development platforms are generally used for small applications with limited functions, such as special need leave procedures, handling maintenance task management, and developing specific optional functions not included in large software packages. Their functions and integration with other applications are relatively limited.

In contrast to no code development platform, low code development platform can host core business services and complex applications by virtue of extensibility. China Software Industry Association believes that the integration ability of low code and business system will be paid more attention, which will become the focus of enterprises choosing low code platform in 2020.

To avoid misunderstanding, some industry analysts have started to remove some code-free platform vendors from their reports, Such as Forrester Research’s Q1 Forrester Wave 2019: Low Code Development Platform for Application Development and Delivery Professionals, and move them into platform reports that are only suitable for a limited number of use cases.

Security issues

There is a lot of concern about low code development platform security and compliance, especially in applications that use consumer data. There may be security concerns about building applications so quickly on low code platforms, and compliance issues due to the lack of appropriate governance. However, low-code systems include important security features, such as administrative tools, access control, and threat assessment. This makes it easy to configure and monitor the security of your system. In addition, industry best practices ensure that user data and applications are not compromised.