The Origins of Low Code / No Code
The journey of Low Code / No Code (LCNC) development began between the 1970s and 1990s, with the term “low-code development” first appearing in a 2011 report. Bubble, launched in 2012, was the pioneer no-code platform offering visual programming. Forrester coined the term “low code” in 2014, and by the early 2000s, the rise of Rapid Application Development platforms marked the true inception of low-code technology. WordPress, launched in 2003, and Formstack, in 2006, were early examples of no-code web development tools.
What do we mean by Low Code / No Code Development?
Low-code and no-code platforms are software development environments that allow users to create applications through graphical user interfaces and configuration instead of traditional computer programming. These platforms are designed to make the app development process more accessible and faster, reducing the need for extensive coding knowledge. At the top level:-
- Low-code platforms require some minimal coding to build applications, making them ideal for developers who want to speed up the development process.
- No-code platforms are designed so that anyone, even without coding skills, can build applications using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic.
Key Features of LCNC platforms can include:-
- User-friendly Interface: Both platforms offer a visual development environment, making it easier to design applications.
- Drag-and-Drop Functionality: This feature enables users to add, move, and configure elements easily.
- Reusable Components: Pre-built modules and templates speed up the development process.
- Integration Capabilities: These platforms can easily integrate with various databases and web services.
Some of the most prominent LCNC platforms include Zoho (application software), Salesforce (sales/customer management) and AppSheet (mobile app development).
Reasons Behind Growing Popularity
The increasing popularity of LCNC platforms can be attributed to their democratization of software development, making it accessible to people with little to no coding knowledge. These platforms typically use graphical editors and simplified flowcharts, allowing for a more visual, drag-and-drop approach to application development. This accessibility has opened up software development to a broader range of users, catalyzing innovation and productivity in various sectors.
LCNC platforms have witnessed a meteoric rise in popularity, with the International Data Corporation (IDC) projecting the worldwide market to grow to a staggering $21 billion in 2026, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.8% from 2021-2026 [1]. From our research, other data bodies have deemed this figure conservative – either way, we are going to see enormous growth in this area over the next few years. This growth can be largely attributed to several factors:
- Increased Efficiency: LCNC platforms drastically reduce development time and costs, offering unprecedented agility and productivity.
- Empowering Non-Developers: They enable individuals without traditional coding skills to create and manage applications, democratizing the development process.
- Fostering Innovation: By lowering the barriers to application development, LCNC platforms have ignited a wave of user-generated innovation, especially among small and medium-sized businesses.
Impact on the Tech Industry and World
From reading the above therefore, there is no doubt that LCNC platforms have had a profound impact on the tech industry in that they have brought about:-
- reduced development costs,
- increased agility, allowing for quicker deployment,
- reducing the reliance on highly skilled developers which can be hard to find in the current climate, therefore making technology more accessible, and
- greater employee engagement.
On this last point, a Microsoft Study from 2022 revealed an 83% positive impact on work satisfaction and workload by LCNC users and an 80% positive impact on morale among users – these are notable outcomes [2].
Additionally, these platforms are not only challenging the traditional software developer role itself, but all tech-related roles. Traditional developer roles are adapting as coding becomes one of several tools in a developer’s toolkit rather than the main one. And moreover, the boundary between developer and non-developer will be increasingly blurred as everyone can develop technological solutions through the use of LCNC tools.
Thus in regards to our world of recruitment this somewhat shifts the focus from recruiting for heavily specialized developers to individuals with a broader understanding of business processes and technology. And it opens up opportunities for non-technical personnel to contribute to application development.
Of course, the limitations are that LCNC solutions may not be suitable for highly complex applications and could bring about issues in customization and scalability.
Adapting to LCNC Platforms
There are loads of free and paid no-code tools available. They also serve a wide range of different purposes, from 3rd party integrations to building web applications and more. The growth iwe are seeing is exciting; if you have a development problem, you can probably find a no-code tool to help you solve it. But it’s also overwhelming. How do you know which of the couple hundred tools are worth trying and investing in? And there is no sign of this becoming any easier.
Devtools companies are increasingly adapting to support LCNC platforms. As more organizations adopt these platforms, IT departments are gaining significance, helping to modernize legacy systems, eradicate technical debt, and build applications rapidly. LCNC tools optimize the role of IT, allowing teams to focus on creative work rather than menial tasks or outdated systems maintenance. Despite these advancements, complete end-to-end solutions in the LCNC space are still in development, and there remains a balance to be struck in managing technical debt.
———
The LCNC revolution signifies a transformative shift in software development. From its early beginnings to its current state, LCNC has democratized software development, making it accessible and efficient. As the industry continues to evolve, devtools companies and IT departments will play a critical role in harnessing the power of these platforms, driving innovation and efficiency in the tech world. The future of LCNC platforms looks promising, with a focus on agility, scalability, and meeting the complex needs of modern businesses.
Resources and References [1] https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS50041423#:~:text=A%20new%20International%20Data%20Corporation,17.8%25%20from%202021%2D2026. [2] https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/powerplatform/2022/05/24/low-code-trend-report-2022-building-a-learning-culture-on-a-low-code-platform/
