Low-code platforms—now mostly cloud-based—are becoming increasingly widespread and promise cost savings while also shortening project timelines in software development. According to a recent study by Computerwoche, traditional software development platforms still outnumber no-code and low-code platforms in terms of the number of companies using them, but only by a narrow margin. Companies that rely on no-code or low-code development primarily cite speed, greater efficiency, and lower costs as the main advantages.
It seems that with the help of these platforms, anyone with a little knowledge of IT and software development can become a developer themselves. But is that really the case in practice? We take a closer look at the issue.
No-Code and Low-Code: A Definition
A no-code platform is a software development environment that enables developers and users to create application software without traditional programming, using graphical user interfaces. No-code and low-code platforms are closely related and are designed to simplify and accelerate software development and data management. (Source: Wikipedia)
Most low-code platforms offer one-click deployment, meaning an application can be deployed at the push of a button. In addition, most are cloud-based, so there is no need to download any tools. According to a study, 78% of the companies surveyed are exploring no-code and low-code platforms. (Study).
Pro-Code: A Definition
In contrast to no-code or low-code (i.e., no code or very little code), pro-code refers to professional code used by developers with extensive expertise, enabling the creation of highly complex applications.
Citizen Developer
In the context of low-code platforms, there is often talk of the so-called “citizen developer,” who is distinguished from the professional, trained developer. This refers to software development outside the traditional IT department. The citizen developer is a user with a certain level of technical understanding, as well as an interest in and basic knowledge of software development. For example, they develop applications using low-code tools, but actually hold a different role within the company. Especially in small and medium-sized enterprises with lean IT departments, the practice of developing applications through citizen development offers opportunities for faster digitization of business processes.
Low-Code or Pro-Code?
Against the backdrop of a shortage of IT professionals, no-code and low-code platforms are becoming increasingly popular. There is a wide variety of platforms available for different application areas and focus areas. Providers promise to support companies in their digital transformation with short development cycles, requiring little to no programming knowledge, in order to meet the growing need for agility in business.
These platforms are of particular interest to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often have to manage without a large IT department. SMEs face the challenge of meeting the demands of digitalization without often having the necessary skilled personnel or budgets. Low-code platforms are designed to empower them to carry out their digital transformation, as the platforms function as a kind of modular system that companies can use to develop applications tailored to their needs. This is intended to create an alternative to purely custom development or inflexible standard software.
By lowering technical barriers, the relevant departments—which know best what applications they need—can be integrated into the development process. Most companies have employees who possess at least basic programming skills and can act as citizen developers.
Nevertheless, sooner or later a company will reach its limits when using such platforms. If there is absolutely no development expertise available, the only viable option is to use no-code solutions, which make it virtually impossible to create complex applications.
Depending on the application’s requirements, even with low-code, you can’t really get by without more extensive programming knowledge. In practice, business processes are unique and often complex, which necessitates additional calculations and programming. In such cases, it definitely makes sense to rely on traditional pro-code software developers. This is because most difficulties with low-code only arise later on when the application is in use. Does the code really do what it’s supposed to? What is its scalability and quality like? And how can it even be tested? These questions highlight one of the main problems with low-code: the impossibility of testing and quality management.
So it’s fair to say that citizen developers and low-code platforms can lighten the load for companies. However, they generally cannot replace a professional developer who works with pro-code.
What could be the solution here? More pro-developers in low-code! Low-code platforms can boost productivity among experienced developers and thus also increase the output of applications. However, the need to access the code remains in order to check the quality of the application and optimize it. Thus, the pure low-code concept reaches its limits, as it is insufficient for non-developers and the experience and expertise of seasoned developers is usually still required.
Nevertheless, low-code can take the load off experienced full-stack developers and software architects. So, one could say: it’s all about the mix! Ideally, especially in small and medium-sized businesses, external experienced developers support the low-code project within the company.
An Overview of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Low-Code Platforms
Advantages:-
Reduces the workload on IT departments
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Enables the development of simpler applications despite a shortage of skilled workers
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Removes technical barriers
Disadvantages
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It is usually not possible to do without any coding or programming knowledge at all
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More suited for internal use
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Little to no testing possible
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More complex applications are generally not feasible with low-code alone
Conclusion
Digitalization is not just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Companies must digitize their business processes to remain future-ready and competitive. However, developing custom software can be time-consuming or, due to a shortage of skilled workers, virtually impossible. This is where low-code platforms offer a solution.
According to Computerwoche, it is surprising that only 18% of the companies surveyed cite “increasing pressure to digitize” as the reason for using these platforms. Furthermore, the pressure to digitize appears to be a much greater focus for larger companies than for small and medium-sized ones (22% versus 16%).
These platforms can certainly be helpful for developing less complex applications for internal use. Even for unestablished business processes—as is usually the case with new initiatives—technical support can be provided quickly.
However, when it comes to more customized, complex applications and scenarios, citizen developers and low-code tools reach their limits. In such cases, Excel solutions and/or Office 365 (SharePoint Online or Power Automate applications) are often used. These are always standard solutions that typically do not fit the company’s needs perfectly but are instead compromises. As requirements grow, these solutions often become cumbersome and lose efficiency.
A business department can certainly make do with these solutions in the short term, but things get difficult when the generated data and content need to be transferred into enterprise applications. The data does not follow any corporate guidelines and must be laboriously prepared. The worst-case scenario occurs when the employee in the specialized department who created the no-code or low-code application leaves the department. In most cases, what remains is either a data graveyard or a sparsely used application that will no longer function—or be abandoned—by the time the next new requirement arises.
Therefore, low-code and pro-code should not be mutually exclusive! Ideally, an experienced software developer should provide guidance and support right from the project requirements phase and oversee the implementation. This allows the full benefits of low-code to be realized. A low-code application can also serve as a first step toward developing a pro-code application.