Low-code and no-code: Are they a threat to classical programming?

With increasing pressure for digital transformation of businesses, low-code and no-code platforms are gaining prominence as a potential solution to the shortage of skilled programmers. While these innovative tools promise to democratize software development, they also raise questions about the future of traditional programming. Let’s take a closer look at this phenomenon and its impact on the IT industry.

Low-code and no-code platforms are tools that allow users to create applications with minimal or no programming knowledge at all. At their core is a drag-and-drop visual interface that allows users to design applications by combining predefined components and configuring their behavior.

These platforms use sophisticated code generation engines that translate visual representations into actual application code. Complex automation mechanisms run in the background to handle performance optimization, security and integration with other systems.

According to Gartner’s 2023 “Market Guide for Enterprise Low-Code Application Platforms” report, these platforms have evolved significantly from simple form development tools to advanced environments that enable the construction of complex business applications.

What are the key differences between low-code and no-code platforms?

Although often mentioned in the same breath, low-code and no-code platforms differ significantly. Low-code platforms require basic programming knowledge and allow customization of source code when necessary. They are mainly aimed at professional programmers and advanced technical users, allowing them to speed up the software development process.

No-code, on the other hand, are designed for business users without programming knowledge. They offer a completely visual working environment, where application development is done solely by configuring ready-made elements. This limits flexibility, but greatly simplifies the application development process.

It’s worth noting that the line between these platforms is becoming increasingly fluid. Leading vendors, such as Microsoft with its Power Platform and Mendix, are offering hybrid solutions that can be tailored to different technical skill levels.

How fast is the low-code/no-code platform market growing and what are the forecasts for the coming years?

The low-code/no-code platform market is going through a period of rapid growth. According to Forrester’s 2023 report “The State of Low-Code Platform Adoption,” the global market for these solutions is growing at a rate of more than 25% per year. This trend is being driven by the growing demand for rapid business application development and a shortage of skilled developers.

Morgan Stanley, in its 2023 report “The Rise of the Citizen Developer,” predicts that by 2026 more than 65% of applications will be developed using low-code or no-code tools. This is due to increasing pressure to digitize business processes and the need to respond quickly to changing market demands.

In what areas do low-code/no-code platforms perform best?

These platforms show particular effectiveness in specific business scenarios. They are perfect for automating business processes, creating user interfaces and simple departmental applications. They are also effective in building prototypes and proof-of-concepts, enabling rapid verification of business ideas.

One of the key application areas is the automation of workflows and business processes. Low-code and no-code platforms allow rapid creation and modification of workflows, which significantly accelerates the optimization of processes in an organization. An equally important area is the creation of dashboards and reporting tools, where a visual approach to interface design works particularly well.

In terms of mobile and web application development, these platforms enable rapid prototyping and deployment of simple solutions without the need for a development team. Integration of different systems and data sources has become much simpler thanks to the ready-made connectors and APIs available in these platforms. In addition, digitizing forms and paper processes can be done much faster and more efficiently, accelerating the organization’s digital transformation.

What are the main advantages of using low-code/no-code platforms in an enterprise?

The use of low-code/no-code platforms brings tangible benefits to organizations. First and foremost, it significantly reduces the time to market for new solutions. McKinsey’s 2023 report “The Rise of Platform Engineering” indicates that companies using these platforms can reduce application development time by up to 70%.

In addition, these platforms allow greater flexibility in responding to changing business needs. They allow rapid modification and customization of applications without involving development teams. This leads to a significant reduction in software development and maintenance costs.

An important advantage is also to reduce pressure on IT departments by allowing business users to develop simple applications themselves. This allows better use of IT resources for more strategic projects.

What are the biggest limitations and challenges of low-code/no-code platforms?

Despite their many advantages, low-code/no-code platforms have their limitations. One of the main challenges is the scalability of applications developed on these platforms. For complex, high-load systems, traditional programming often remains the better choice due to the ability to precisely optimize code.

Another major limitation is vendor lock-in. Applications developed on a particular platform tend to be tightly bound to its ecosystem, which can make it difficult to move solutions between vendors or integrate with external systems. Organizations must carefully consider the long-term implications of choosing a particular platform.

Security is also an area of concern. Although platform providers implement advanced security mechanisms, limited control over the code generated can lead to unforeseen security vulnerabilities.

Can low-code/no-code platforms completely replace traditional programming?

Low-code/no-code platforms will not completely replace traditional programming, but rather complement it for specific use cases. Complex systems requiring advanced optimization, custom functionality or specific performance requirements will continue to be the domain of traditional programming.

According to IDC’s 2023 “Future of Digital Innovation” survey, 78% of organizations plan to use low-code/no-code platforms alongside traditional programming. This indicates an evolution toward a hybrid model, where different approaches to software development coexist and complement each other.

How do low-code/no-code platforms affect the role of developers in an organization?

Contrary to initial fears, low-code/no-code platforms are not eliminating the need for professional programmers, but are changing their role. Programmers are increasingly becoming solution architects, focusing on designing complex systems and ensuring their integrity.

The development of these platforms is creating a number of new specializations in the IT industry. Low-code/no-code platform architects are becoming key experts, responsible for designing and optimizing solutions within their chosen platform. At the same time, there is a growing demand for systems integration specialists who can effectively combine low-code solutions with existing IT infrastructure. Application optimization and scalability experts, who ensure the performance of the created solutions, are also playing an increasingly important role. Also not to be overlooked is the growing importance of platform security consultants, who ensure that the applications being developed are properly secured.

How are low-code/no-code platforms changing the software development process?

These platforms fundamentally change the approach to software development, introducing a new paradigm for application development. First of all, they have significantly accelerated iteration and deployment cycles, enabling faster response to changing business needs. There has also been a noticeable increase in the involvement of business users in the development process, leading to a better understanding and realization of the actual needs of the organization.

Another major change is the shift in emphasis from traditional coding to visual modeling of solutions. This way of working not only speeds up application development, but also facilitates communication between technical and business teams. Automating many aspects of the development process, from testing to deployment, further increases the efficiency of the entire manufacturing process.

This leads to a more agile approach, where user feedback can be implemented quickly and changes are made on the fly. According to Gartner’s 2023 report “The Future of Applications,” organizations using low-code/no-code platforms achieve 50% shorter application development cycles on average.

How to ensure security and scalability of applications developed in low-code/no-code platforms?

Ensuring security and scalability requires a systematic approach to managing low-code/no-code platforms. A fundamental element is the establishment of a comprehensive access and privilege management system that precisely controls who can create and modify applications and to what extent. Equally important is the implementation of advanced performance monitoring mechanisms that allow early detection of potential performance and scalability problems.

Organizations must also conduct regular security audits to help identify and address potential security vulnerabilities. It is also essential to develop and implement a comprehensive backup and recovery strategy to ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster or other unforeseen events.

Investing in systematic training for platform users is also a key aspect. Training programs should cover both technical aspects and best practices in security and performance optimization. A good solution is to establish a dedicated center of excellence (Center of Excellence), which will be responsible for standardizing practices, overseeing solutions and continuously improving processes related to low-code/no-code platforms.

What competencies are needed to effectively use low-code/no-code platforms?

Successful use of low-code/no-code platforms requires a unique combination of technical and business skills. A deep understanding of business processes and the ability to model them effectively in a platform environment is fundamental. Professionals working with these tools should have a solid foundation in information systems architecture, which allows them to design solutions in a thoughtful and scalable manner.

Another key area of expertise is the ability to analyze data combined with the ability to design intuitive user interfaces. These skills are essential for creating effective and user-friendly applications. Also, the importance of basic IT security knowledge cannot be overlooked, which is crucial for creating secure and reliable solutions.

The ability to think logically and solve problems systematically is also particularly important. These skills allow you to effectively diagnose and solve the challenges that inevitably arise when working with low-code/no-code platforms.

How do you choose the right low-code/no-code platform for your organization?

The selection of an appropriate platform should be preceded by a thorough and systematic analysis of the organization’s needs. The first step is to determine the scale of the planned implementations, which will allow estimating the performance requirements and the scale of the necessary resources. Equally important is a detailed analysis of integration requirements with existing systems, which will help avoid potential compatibility problems in the future.

A key part of the analysis is also an assessment of the team’s available resources and competencies to determine whether the organization is ready to effectively use the chosen platform. The aspect of compliance with the organization’s security policies should not be overlooked, which can often be a decisive factor in the selection process. It is also important to conduct a thorough total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, taking into account not only licensing costs, but also training, maintenance and potential system expansions.

Special attention should be paid to the flexibility of licensing and the possibility of developing the platform in the future, which will allow the solution to adapt to the changing needs of the organization.

How do you integrate low-code/no-code solutions into existing systems?

Integration with existing systems requires careful planning and a systematic approach to the entire process. A fundamental aspect is the use of standard APIs and integration protocols to ensure stable and secure communication between systems. This requires a thorough understanding of the architecture of existing systems and the integration capabilities of the chosen low-code/no-code platform.

Another key element is to ensure data consistency between systems, which requires precise mapping of data structures and implementation of appropriate synchronization mechanisms. It is also necessary to implement effective monitoring of integration performance to quickly detect and resolve potential problems.

Appropriate version and change management of the interconnected systems is also a particularly important aspect. This requires developing procedures for testing and implementing changes that minimize the risk of disruption to integrated systems. It is a good practice to create a dedicated middleware layer for managing integrations, which will facilitate future modifications and extensions to the system, while increasing its flexibility and maintainability.

What is the future of low-code/no-code platforms and their impact on the IT industry?

The future of low-code/no-code platforms appears extremely promising. According to Gartner forecasts, by 2025 as much as 70% of new enterprise applications will be developed using low-code or no-code technologies. This transformation will have a fundamental impact on the way organizations approach software development.

These changes are leading to an important evolution of roles in the IT industry. Traditional developers are increasingly becoming solution architects and designers, focusing on creating complex components and integrations that can then be used by users of low-code/no-code platforms. At the same time, new specializations are emerging that combine technical competence with a deep understanding of business processes, such as process automation experts and digital transformation specialists.

In the long term, low-code/no-code platforms will catalyze a deeper transformation in the way organizations approach software creation and development. While traditional programming will remain essential for creating complex systems and infrastructure, these platforms will become a standard tool in the arsenal of modern organizations. They will enable faster response to changing market needs and more efficient use of IT resources, while contributing to greater innovation and business competitiveness.