Extending the capabilities of no/low code...

Hey hackers,

One of the hottest “movements” that is taking over the software development world is the rise of no-code and low-code tools and platforms. This new way of developing and releasing software is quite revolutionary as it is transforming the way software applications are designed, developed, deployed, and managed. It can even be argued that this innovation is in a way democratizing software and technology, making it even more accessible to a broader audience beyond the traditional tech-savvy developers. In this blog post, we will have a look at some of these trends, understand what no/low-code platforms are, their benefits as well as limitations, and finally see how their use cases and capabilities can be extended through the use of 3rd party APIs.

What is a Low/No-Code?

Low-code and no-code are software development methodologies that allow individuals to create software applications through easy-to-use and easy-to-navigate user interfaces and configurations, instead of traditional computer programming. It is about building software without writing a lot of code (or not writing code at all) by leveraging UI components to design the app’s flow and interface.

More specifically, No-code platforms provide a suite of pre-built elements that users can arrange to build their applications. This drag-and-drop kind of interface simplifies app development to the point where virtually anyone can design and deploy functional apps without prior coding knowledge.
Low-code platforms are similar but still require some coding - still, they abstract away much of the complexity of traditional software development. They do that through the provision of visual development environments and reusable components that can accelerate development with minimal hand-coding.

How does a Low/No-code tool work?

No-code tools abstract software development from a programming language, including logic and syntax. Objects, elements, and components — such as visual boxes — represent tasks. A user combines and arranges these objects to build an application.

In a no-code environment, data abstraction hides the underlying instructions and details and only displays the required functionality. An app or tool is usually represented by visual objects and mapping features that show how various elements interconnect.

Benefits of Low/No-Code Tools:

Reduced Costs:
Using Low/No-code platforms can result in lower expenses. Since software applications can be built visually by non-tech individuals, this can have significant benefits when it comes to lowering costs and expenses.

Faster Time-to-Market:
With low/no-code platforms, software applications and new features can be brought to the market quicker, sometimes in just hours or days. This accelerated time-to-market gives businesses more agility and a clear competitive edge.

Improved Efficiency:
Automating repetitive tasks and processes with no-code can improve operational efficiency. Since workloads are reduced, the developers and engineers can focus on high-value activities.

IT Democratization:
Low/no code opens the door for non-developers to be able to contribute to and build software that matters. This democratizes software creation across the business and can free up necessary IT resources.

Limitations of Low/No-Code Tools

Limited Customization:
The ability to customize applications may hit a ceiling, confined by the boundaries of what each low/no code platform allows.

Scalability Issues:
The low/no-code platforms can prove to be unsuitable for complex and large-scale projects requiring a high degree of customization.

Platform Limitations
The users are kind of dependent on the platform's capabilities and restrictions which can hinder the project's scope. This is where using external APIs as a service can play a pivotal role since it can reduce some of these limitations.

Integration Challenges:
Not all low/no-code platforms can integrate with the tools or systems that every organization uses.