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Low code development platforms have emerged as a revolutionary way of building application software in recent years. These platforms allow non-programmers and those with limited coding skills to visually build applications through a drag-and-drop interface. In this article, we will explore the rise of low code platforms, their key benefits and some examples of popular low code tools available today.
What are Low Code Development Platforms?
Low code development platforms provide visual, drag-and-drop or menu-driven tools to build application software through a graphical user interface and visual configuration. This allows less technical or non-technical users like business analysts, managers and domain experts to build applications for web, desktop, mobile and backend systems.
Low code tools typically provide a library of reusable components like forms, buttons, lists and charts that can be assembled together to create application interfaces and workflows. The logic and business rules are written through configuration instead of traditional programming languages. Some platforms also provide database and workflow tools to handle data and automate business processes.
Key Benefits of Low Code Development
Low code platforms promise tremendous benefits in accelerating application development and empowering non-technical roles to contribute to the process:
Faster Application Development: Visually constructing applications can significantly reduce development time compared to traditional coding. The graphical interfaces make it easy to learn, prototype and modify applications.
Empower business users: Domain experts and business analysts can directly translate their requirements into application software. They don’t need to rely on overburdened IT teams.
Agile development: Applications can be built iteratively in a more flexible and agile manner by involving business teams from day one of the development life cycle.
Reduce costs: Low code reduces reliance on expensive developers and offshore outsourcing. Citizen developers and internal staff can maintain applications independently.
Democratization of development: Manual coding skills are no longer critical to contribute to software projects. This allows a wider base of users and community participation.
Rapidly adapt to change: Changes in business requirements can be incorporated easily by modifying configurations or adding new components visually in low code platforms.
Emergence of Popular Low Code Tools
As businesses recognize the value of low code platforms, major tech companies are competing to dominate this space:
Appian: One of the early leaders with a low code platform for building enterprise-scale workflow and case management applications.
Mendix: Provides a cloud-based low code platform for rapid application development across web, mobile, IoT, and APIs.
Outsystems: Known for its component-based approach to accelerate development of robust web and mobile applications.
Microsoft Power Apps: Part of Microsoft’s Power platform for surfacing existing data through apps without writing code. Great for rapid prototyping.
Salesforce Lightning: Enables developers to extend the Salesforce platform and build scalable business apps on the Salesforce data model.
ServiceNow App Engine: Integrates to ServiceNow’s ITSM platform and allows building any kind of applications leveraging existing ServiceNow data flows.
Amazon Honeycode: Part of AWS, it provides a spreadsheet-like interface to build mobile apps for business teams without coding.
Google AppSheet: Similar to Honeycode, AppSheet allows building basic data- driven mobile and web apps visually through its Google Sheets-powered editor.
WaveMaker: Delivers a low code platform for developing business logic and UI components, integration and APIs in Java or JavaScript.
The Future of Low Code
As business needs continue to evolve rapidly, Low code development is becoming increasingly mainstream. Gartner estimates that by 2024, over half of new application development will be done on low code platforms. Popular platforms are also branching into enabling specific verticals like healthcare, finance and more.
With AI and machine learning capabilities being baked into low code tools, we are likely to see truly intelligent applications being built without writing a single line of code in the coming years. Advanced low code tools may even make traditional programming languages obsolete for basic application development needs. While coding will remain important for complex, performance-critical applications – the future of software is certainly becoming a lot more visual and intuitive with low code platforms.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
