Information Technology

<p style="text-align: justify;">When I started my technology career just before the turn of the last century, it was the dawn of what used to be 4GL or 4th Generation languages like Power builder, FoxPro, Oracle developer 2K, and Visual basic.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was widely said that these 4GL developers would be redundant for most enterprise software development. Now here we are among the biggest developer demand in the history of the technology industry.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, when I hear the hype about Low-code, No-code platforms, no wonder I am skeptical. Let me explain the enterprise software in the dimension of customization &amp; configurable.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Any software has some feature or behavior change by either customization (code change) or configuration (no code change). Various types of software fall into a continuum as follows:&nbsp;</p><ul><li style="list-style-type: none;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Fully custom-built software using high-level programming languages like Java</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Using frameworks and commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) like BPM tools allows a mix of capability out of the box and certain configurability and customization possibilities.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Enterprise SaaS Platforms like Salesforce gives major out-of-box functionality with the ability to configure specific business needs.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Commodity SaaS with almost no ability to change functionality like Office 364 or Google Docs.&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">A low-code no-code platform aims to give software capability with a short software development process that does not need software engineers. Both goals are very promising for any business, as today, they struggle with both the pace and capacity of their IT teams.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, there are potential risks with low-code no-code platforms. Some are:&nbsp;</p><ul><li style="list-style-type: none;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">There is no chance of customization of features beyond what the platform can be configured with. This can limit what it is possible to build.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Limitations with system integration as how and which external systems can be integrated with the platform.&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, like all technology hype, there is an element of truth. The no-code low-code platforms are beneficial for quickly building enterprise applications requiring a simple user interface and workflows backed with a well-defined data model with little or no complex business logic or integrations.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Using the no-code low-code platforms the above use cases can help deliver enterprise software quickly and effectively; however, indiscriminate use of such platforms can lead to a constrained system with limited benefits.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>This article was contributed by our expert <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkant/">Vivek Kant</a></em></span></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><br /></em><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Vivek Kant</span></span></h3><h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. What is the difference between low-code and no-code?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A low-code platform needs a simple and small amount of coding to fit its purpose, while in a no-code platform entire change is achieved by simple configuration using a front end.&nbsp;</span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. How do no-code platforms work?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No code platform has a fixed generic domain model and capability to be configured using a front end, typically a workflow and domain model.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. Is low-code no-code the future?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As my article explains, there is a segment of business applications where low-code no-code will be widely used. However, there will be areas where bespoke coded applications will still be required.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. What is low-code movement?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Low-code movement uses low-code platforms and enables non-IT users to build enterprise applications.&nbsp;</span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">5. What is Appian Technology?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Appian is a popular low-code platform that enables users to build applications with little or no coding.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>