Low-Code Technology - An Ultimate Guide to Low-Code Development

In today's digital world, organizations constantly look for emerging technologies to be more agile and responsive to changing business needs. One such emerging technology is low-code development, which has become increasingly popular and vital as it helps businesses quickly and efficiently create applications to meet their goals. 

Whether you're a business leader or an IT expert, this blog has everything you need to know about low-code development.

What is Low-Code?

Low-code is a software development approach that requires little to no coding to build applications and processes. Instead of using complex programming languages, you can employ visual interfaces with basic logic and drag-and-drop capabilities in a low-code development platform. As they are a quick and simple alternative to conventional software development, these platforms have grown in popularity.

What is Low-Code development?

Low-code platforms provide developers with a flexible and visual environment to develop simple to complex applications in a graphical interface. With advanced tools like drag-and-drop modelers, pre-built templates, intuitive UI, etc, low-code platforms allow developers to design and deploy apps much faster, allowing organizations to scale, be more profitable, and achieve above-average returns.

Instead of conventional hand-coded computer programming, a low-code development framework offers a programming environment for creating software applications via graphical user interfaces and configuration.

Low-code creation frameworks provide IT customers the ability to incorporate building blocks into workflows and apps. These basic elements abstract away the code behind actions and orders, allowing IT to create interfaces and business applications without having to code them by hand.

Who are the Low-Code Developers?

Users with no advanced knowledge of coding or software creation may use these intuitive techniques to build software for several purposes, such as creating mobile and business applications. A low-code framework can be used by technical and citizen developers (non-professional development) to build applications of a wide variety to fulfill market demands for growth, simplify processes, and facilitate digital transformation.

What Is the Future of Low-Code Development (in 2023 & Beyond)?

The growth of low-code as a general social and technical phenomenon is anticipated to expand.

• According to Gartner, Inc’s latest report, the global market for low-code development technologies is expected to be $26.9 billion in 2023 (an increase of 19.6 percent from 2022).
• The low-code global market is expected to be around $65 billion by 2027 and $187 billion by 2030. That’s a CAGR of 31.1 percent between 2020-2030.
• Low Code Application Platforms (LCAP) are predicted to remain the largest part of the low-code development technology market in 2023. for example, it has already increased by 30 percent since 2020 and generated $5.8 billion in 2022.

Benefits of a low-code development to business owners

Low-code implementation will quickly yield observable results for business owners. Here are some of the most significant advantages:

Increased agility:

Helps create and deploy new apps quickly and easily without extensive programming knowledge. This can help organizations become more agile and responsive to changing business needs.

Reduced costs:

Reduces the need for specialized programming resources, which can help to lower development costs. Low-code can also help automate repetitive tasks and can further reduce costs.
Better user experience: Allows business owners to create apps tailored to their users' specific needs, resulting in a better user experience.

Faster time to market:

Speeds up the app development process and helps organizations to get new products and services to market faster.

Improved decision-making:

By having access to real-time data and insights, business owners can make better, data-driven decisions that can improve overall business performance.

Access to new technologies:

Low-code platforms often come with a wide range of pre-built templates and features, which can help business owners quickly and easily integrate new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more.

How to get started with low-code adoption

Define the processes and data

The underlying elements of any application are process data. Start by defining the processes in line with business needs to get a structured flow. This helps create apps in such a way that the processes are in the right order, and easier to achieve the result. You can also find the most effective path by implementing process simulation and deriving new insights. Once you have a set of defined processes, collecting the right and necessary data becomes more effortless.. Determine the data required to carry out the processes seamlessly from start to end.

Create user-friendly forms

Low-code adoption becomes easier if the user experience is seamless and good. Based on the defined process and data and with drag-and-drop features, intuitive forms can be created to collect relevant information. A robust low-code platform enables users to build forms dynamically with user-based control and ready-to-use widgets. Creating the perfect form with any field type and functionality helps build apps better.

Build fully-functioning application

Building apps using low-code functionalities is a cakewalk, requiring minimal training and coding knowledge. The solution follows a visual app-building approach that empowers anyone to build simple to complex apps without employing developers. You also can modify the default code to unlock more advanced features in the app. One of the most significant advantages of a low-code platform is business-process automation. With pre-built templates and visual-development features, you can automate repetitive tasks that do not require human intervention. This saves employees' time and effort which can better be put into business-critical tasks.

Execute and test the application

Testing the application is a mandatory step before launching it. This way, any sort of technical issues and glitches can be identified before the application goes live. A faulty application can adversely affect the efficiency and performance of processes. Low-code platforms provide a testing environment where the built application can be scrutinized and tested multiple times to check its performance and eliminate technical faults. Based on the test results and user feedback, necessary changes can be made before the app is pushed to the live stage.

Deploy the application

Low-code platforms offer flexible application deployment. You can install, configure, and set up fully functional applications with just a few clicks. Along with the deployment, low-code platforms provide real-time feature updates, fixes, and updates.

Low-code adoption challenges

Although low-code can offer many benefits, there are also some challenges that organizations should be aware of when implementing this approach.

One of the main challenges of low-code technology is that it can be difficult for non-technical users to understand and navigate the platform. This can make it difficult for business analysts and domain experts to create and test their own apps and make it harder for IT departments to support and maintain those apps.

Another challenge is that low-code solutions can be limiting when it comes to customization and scalability. While the drag-and-drop interface can be intuitive and easy to use, it may not offer the same level of flexibility as traditional coding methods. This can make it challenging to create complex or custom apps that meet an organisation's specific needs.

Features of Low-Code Development 

1. Visual Modeling Tools

It takes less time to create apps using visual approaches and templates than to develop apps using code. Low-code systems, which are equipped with visual modeling features, use built-in modules to reflect the details in a way that everyone may understand – from non-technical enterprise users to advanced developers.

2. Out-of-the-Box Functionality

OOTB (out-of-the-box) software is provided by leading low-code platforms, which removes the need to create key components for applications from the start. Some low code systems, for example, provide data storage or customer-facing app components, such as service management or sales process management.

3. Drag-and-Drop Interface

Drag-and-drop functionality is available on any well-known low code platform. It is one of the most critical and valuable functionalities that facilitates the production process. The convenience drag-and-drop features offer throughout the development of apps support both citizen developers and technical developers.

4. Security

A low-code tool that isn’t safe isn’t a sufficient solution, no matter how usable or user-friendly it is. Before you start using your low-code development framework, make sure it has enough protection to secure the applications you’re creating and the platform as a whole.

5. Scalability

Scalability is essential for low-code systems. It should create applications that can accommodate a rise in users as your company will expand. It should be able to accommodate twenty as well as twenty thousand employees.