Low-code or no-code?
Businesses are constantly on the lookout for faster and more efficient ways to build software. This quest has led to the rise of low-code and no-code development platforms, which empower organizations to create applications with minimal coding effort. These platforms are revolutionizing software development. But what sets them apart, and how can you determine which one suits your needs? Let’s dive into the key differences between low-code and no-code.
What is low-code?
Low-code development platforms are designed to accelerate application development by providing a graphical user interface for programming, allowing developers to build applications with minimal coding by hand (high code). These platforms often offer a range of pre-built components, templates, and integrations that streamline the development process.
Key Characteristics of low-code platforms
- Visual development tools: drag-and-drop interfaces and visual modeling tools allow developers to design and modify applications quickly.
- Reusable components: pre-built modules and templates that can be customized and reused across different applications.
- Integration capabilities: built-in connectors to integrate with various third-party services, databases and APIs.
- Custom coding: while minimal, some coding is required for complex functionalities, offering more flexibility and control.
What is no-code?
No-code platforms take the concept of low-code a step further by eliminating the need for any coding. Users can build applications using visual tools and pre-built templates, making it accessible to non-technical users.
Key Characteristics of no-code platforms
- Drag-and-Drop interface: users can design applications by dragging and dropping elements onto a canvas.
- Pre-built templates: ready-to-use templates and workflows that users can customize to fit their needs.
- Automations: built-in automation tools for tasks such as data processing and user notifications.
- Limited customization: minimal ability to add custom code or perform complex integrations.
Differences between low-code and no-code
While both low-code and no-code platforms aim to simplify the development process, they cater to different user groups and project requirements.
- Target Users: low-code targets professional developers, IT teams, and enterprises seeking scalable, customized applications. No-code tends to target business users, citizen developers, startups, and entrepreneurs launching MVPs quickly.
- Customization & flexibility: low-code allows coding for customization, making it suitable for complex applications, whereas no-code is often fully visual and best for simple to medium applications.
- Development speed: low-code is fast, but no-code is even faster, particularly if ready-made templates fit your needs.
- Complexity: low-code can handle complex applications, while no-code is best for simple to medium applications.
When to use low-code vs. no-code
Choosing between low-code and no-code platforms depends on your specific needs and goals. Consider what you aim to achieve with the software, who its developers will be (do they have any programming expertise?), how complex and large the problem you want to solve is, and whether or not custom integrations are needed.
It is recommended to use low-code when the application, or at least some of the applications you are seeking to build, is complex and requires integrations. Many low-code platforms also perform better when apps need to be deployed at scale, across the enterprise.
Where does OutSystems fit?
OutSystems is a leading player in the low-code platform space, offering a comprehensive solution that blends the benefits of low-code development with robust capabilities for handling complex applications.
OutSystems uses a visual drag-and-drop development environment that makes it easier to build applications fast. The platform is suited to both robust business applications running in a browser, as well as mobile apps. The famous one-click deployment button compiles the developers’ work to the DEV environment, warning for incorrect code, missing dependencies and other mistakes along the way. From there, the code can be sent to a test (, acceptance) and production environment. This is usually done manually, but CoolProfs have developed an SDLC-Suite for OutSystems 11 that can automate the entire process.
Another strong feature of OutSystems lies in its integration capabilities. The platform has built-in connectors for various third-party databases, services and APIs.
AI-powered development
Although OutSystems 11 already uses many smart tools for optimizing code quality, ODC (OutSystems Developer Cloud) leverages AI even more, enhancing development speed and efficiency.
Developers can now use Mentor to create (basic) applications from a simple prompt. It is even possible to include a requirements document. AI also provides predictive insights that help developers foresee potential issues and optimize performance.
Whoa, wait: what about COTS?
The abbreviation COTS is used to denote Commercial Off The Shelf software. The use case for something like Adobe Photoshop is clear: nobody will want to develop that for themselves. But what about SAP, SalesForce, or a commercially available solution for your vertical?
Some advantages are:
- Time Efficiency: pre-built software is ready for deployment.
- Cost-Effectiveness: for common needs, COTS solutions are cost-effective.
- Ease of Maintenance: because this isprimarily the responsibility of the vendor.
However, some disadvantages are:
- Limited Customization: COTS software may lack the flexibility to adapt to unique business processes.
- Dependency on vendors: yourely on the vendor for updates, bug fixes, and support.
- One-Size-Fits-All approach: commercial software must fit everyone’s needs. You may not find the exact functionality you need. Or too much functionality.
There is another consideration I would like to mention: once an organization has a low-code platform, it starts to automate lots of processes that previously required different software solutions from different vendors, Excel sheets, or had no automation at all. Since the platform is already paid for, you might just as well maximize its value!
Conclusion
While there are benefits to low-code, no-code, and commercial platforms, we think one low-code platform in particular stands out. And that is OutSystems. Yes, we’re biased: CoolProfs is the most experienced OutSystems partner in The Netherlands.
We have experienced first-hand that OutSystems can provide the flexibility, scalability, and integration capabilities needed for complex, enterprise-level applications. Its latest version, ODC, boasts AI-powered development and even better scalability, making it a superior choice for businesses looking to build custom software solutions.
By Onno Poelmeyer, Consultant, CoolProfs