The terms low-code and no-code are sometimes used interchangeably in business. But the reality is that they represent two different approaches to application development.
Although similar in purpose to the more widely-used low-code approach, no-code development actually takes things a step further. Low-code development is designed to provide easy-to-use coding solutions, allowing less-technically trained users to work within a platform, using pre-built templates and drag-and-drop elements to rapidly develop custom applications. It allows them to get a head start on projects by configuring settings and leveraging pre-built components, instead of needing to build everything from scratch using code. Junior-level developers and business analysts are also able to take advantage by contributing more tp projects then they would otherwise be able to.
However, at some point it does require some limited knowledge of coding to ensure full functionality. Low-code still provides a number of advantages over hand coding, such as shortcuts that take developers past the framework and testing phases, and directly into building the app. But at the end of the day, someone with at least a basic understanding of coding will need to polish up and finalize the project.
No-code is exactly what it claims to be: a development approach for people with absolutely no coding experience. It goes beyond simply providing shortcuts, and instead uses declarative programming to build applications based on user inputs. In other words, no-code development allows you to skip coding entirely, telling the system what you need, and then allowing the system to build the application itself.
Like low-code, a no-code platform will likely also include pre-built
functionality in the form of drag-and-drop tools and a highly-visual,
user-friendly interface, but the major difference is that it allows
users to build apps from start to finish, without ever having to
implement a single line of code. No-code is all about the citizen
developer being able to create simple but effective apps on their own to
automate more of the business. No-code is about configuration over
code.
Essentially, low-code targets developers, while no-code targets business users.
Because no-code platforms are designed for those with little-to-no programming experience, they are supported by design to simplify the application-building process. These features make it possible for users to convert their ideas into functional software efficiently, applying their institutional knowledge and expertise in creating effective solutions. Among the most essential no-code features are:
While no-code platforms have democratized application development, providing significant benefits to those organizations that use them, these solutions also have their challenges. Understanding these challenges is crucial for businesses to make the most out of their no-code strategies:
While no-code development has the capacity to change nearly every aspect of business, it most directly affects three specific groups:
No-code provides citizen developers with a simple and intuitive environment in which to build applications. Using guided templates and pre-built assets, non-technical professionals can design the applications they need. They can also easily revisit applications to implement important changes, without having to involve busy IT or development teams.
The advantages offered by no-code make it an ideal solution for a range of use cases:
New businesses without the resources or demand to establish a development department can remain competitive by creating viable products on limited funding.
Emergent market gaps require fast action. Organizations who want to take advantage of emergent situations can use no-code development to help establish themselves in the market quickly.
Not every application needs to be fully polished and ready for the public. When you need a prototype to help demonstrate a particular concept or test out a product-market fit, no-code development is a fast and reliable solution.
The extent of what you can build with no-code depends heavily on your choice of platform. That said, some of the most-common and effective application-types to come out of no-code development include the following:
Gather, analyze, and apply data insights with customized back-office applications designed in compliance with your existing workflows.
Optimize your online presence with highly functional, exceptionally easy-to-build web applications. No-code development allows you to bridge the gap between back- and front-end systems, implementing custom branding, widgets, check-out functionality, and more.
Give users powerful applications, optimized for the mobile experience. No-code development platforms include mobile-specific tools and components, so you can create the apps that users will want to keep with them at all times.
Given the ease of low- and no-code solutions, some cannot help but wonder if professional developers are becoming obsolete. But while no-code may open app development to nearly everyone, it still can’t take the place of professional experience.
Professional developers with an innate knowledge of coding will always be needed for developing complex components, implementing truly custom ideas, exploring new coding capabilities, and even building and maintaining low- and no-code platforms. In fact, professional developers benefit from no-code development, because it allows them to be more efficient in applying their knowledge towards the complex problems that only they can solve.
As no-code platforms become increasingly advanced and globally adopted, these intuitive tools are poised to significantly alter the landscape of business operations and IT development. Simply put, the long-term implications for businesses that integrate no-code development into their strategy are substantial—as are the competitive advantages these strategies represent.
As such, experts are predicting that no-code development will impact the business world in the following ways:
The landscape of no-code development is rapidly changing, and staying up to date with current trends is essential for organizations looking to remain competitive. Below are some pivotal no-code trends to keep an eye on:
Huge demand for applications has inspired many organizations to grow capacity even further with citizen developer resources on no-code platforms. ServiceNow Creator Workflows offers a simple, single platform environment where citizen developers can quickly be empowered with pre-built templates and easy-to-use low code tools. This same single environment can optimize multi-skill collaborations among developers with varying levels of experience. No- and low- code builders can assemble, and reuse components built by professional developers to both accelerate delivery times and promote standardized experiences—regardless of the development source.
To avoid any negative impacts to the operational integrity of the business, Creator Workflows provides a safe development environment that removes complexity and risk. Novice users are only exposed to features and components that are battle-tested and well-governed, to ensure consistent standards for high quality and compliance across all necessary enterprise requirements.
ServiceNow empowers organizations with no- and low-code solutions. See what these solutions can do for you.