Low-code, No-code, Use Cases and Scope
Enabling makers, or automating away jobs?
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Discussion recap: low-code & no-code
REFACTOR: Discuss is an open conversation where community members share their insights and experiences around a specific topic. The goal is to be open-minded and learn from each other.
On September 22, 2023 we discussed, “low-code and no-code, use cases and scope”. Low-code and no-code tools help speed up the process of rendering ideas into solutions.
Here are some thoughts from the REFACTOR community.
The Challenge of Organizational Policies
We began our conversation by addressing the challenge of organizational policies that restrict the use of certain tools and services. In large enterprises limitations on cloud services can hinder productivity. This limitation emphasizes the importance of considering both corporate and vendor constraints before adopting new technology.
Such a constraint of not being able to pay a small fee to adopt a productivity-improving tool forces some teams to restrict their search to open source and on-premise-friendly options that may not be as user-friendly nor as well-supported.
Low-Code and No-Code Tools Defined
Low-code tools are those that offer a graphical interface (GUI) but still allow for custom code when needed. No-code tools, on the other hand, are driven exclusively through a GUI and do not require any coding. These tools provide varying degrees of extensibility, and some may have the option to eject into a coded solution that can be manually modified.
We also discussed how these tools are becoming more mainstream and are being used in various job roles, such as government agencies hiring low-code developers for form-related tasks.
The Evolving Landscape of Low-Code Tools
Our conversation took an interesting turn when we discussed the evolution of low-code tools. We explored how visual development platforms like WordPress and Drupal have paved the way for these tools. These platforms offer GUI interfaces for building applications, making them accessible even to those with limited coding experience.
Some commercialized website and application builders have emerged with business models rarely offering free tiers in exchange for a fully hosted environment. Much like the emergence of serverless cloud-based architectures, handling hosting while providing a low-code interface can be considered a wide-reaching and valuable proposition.
Hiring Developers in a Low-Code World
A critical question arose during our discussion: how does one go about hiring developers in a low-code world? We debated whether businesses should hire developers exclusively trained in low-code or rely on regular web developers who can adapt to low-code tools when necessary. The balance between specialization and flexibility was a key consideration.
Perhaps non-developer roles are evolving into so-called “maker” roles whose day-to-day job analyzing and ideating solutions can be entered into a system or website without the occasional support of a software developer. Thus, low-code unlocks an entire organization’s workforce as digitally-capable helpers while diverting busywork away from its software developers so that they may focus on more meaningful tasks.
As low-code tools unlock an emerging workforce, they reach their limits quickly. Oftentimes, low-code tools help to make CRUD-like applications, or API connectors. Any added complexity to that may become untenable to maintain or establish itself among the needs of many. Complementary to this fact are the emergence of many developer frameworks that bridge the gaps between target platforms, design and code, content and code. While not technically low-code, frameworks help simplify workflows for small development teams working through complex and continuously-emerging requirements. All of this to say the value provided by software developers won’t go away until all new innovations have been fully realized.
Extensibility and Ejecting from Low-Code Tools
We emphasized the importance of extensibility and the ability to "eject" from low-code tools. While these tools can enhance productivity, they come with the risk of vendor lock-in. Developers need the option to customize and migrate their code when required. We discussed examples of open-source self-hostable solutions like Budibase and Drupal that offer this flexibility.
Conclusion
Low-code and no-code tools are undeniably changing the software development landscape. They empower a broader range of professionals to create applications and streamline processes. However, the role of experienced developers remains crucial for tackling complex, unique, and highly customized projects. As technology evolves, the developer's role may shift, but it is unlikely to become obsolete anytime soon. The key is to adapt and embrace the possibilities that these tools offer while continuing to nurture our coding skills.
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