Coined by Forrester in 2014, low-code development has exploded in recent years. Valued at $10.82 billion in 2020, the global market for low-code development is expected to reach $94.75 billion by 2028.
Owing to its growing popularity, everyone has their definition of what low-code development means. The result? According to Formstack Research, 82% of users do not know what low-code development is. As a result, many myths or misconceptions have risen about this form of application development.
For instance, "low-code" was the original term used to describe development tools for web applications. Since then, it has spread to encompass other tools, most of which are unrelated to web applications.
That being so, this blog will discuss some of the common myths about low-code development (or platform). It will also shed light on how to overcome these myths. So, let's get started.
Here are the 5 most common myths or misconceptions about low-code development:
The first myth is that low-code development only works for building simple applications. While this is often true especially in the context of being used by business users, the latest low-code platforms are capable of building complex and scalable applications.
On the back of automated workflows and seemingly easy-to-use interfaces, low-code platforms can build complex applications. That's precisely why global businesses are adopting the low-code approach to build customer-facing and mission-critical applications. In these instances, it’s often expert developers leveraging the power of low-code to achieve speed and repeatability.
Another common myth is that low-code development is a temporary "fad" that will soon pass out of existence. The reality is that low-code did not "invent" itself when Forrester first coined this term in 2014. It has been in existence for as long as the 1980s. For instance, you may have heard of technologies like "rapid application development (RAD)" or 4GL long before the new millennium.
The demand for new & lighter applications and cloud-native applications simply accelerated the development of low-code platforms in recent years. That said, the 4GL and RAD tools were proprietary and locked companies on their platform (unlike low-code tools).
Among all the industry buzz, it is common to hear that "citizen developers use low-code" while "skilled developers use code." Yes, low-code tools are useful for citizen developers or business users. However, the full truth is that expert developers can also use low-code to build enterprise-level applications.
Sridevi Pasumarthi of Checkr settles the debate by explaining that "it's a myth that developers are married to the code. In fact, our developers prefer tools that give them the freedom and flexibility to build solutions faster." In short, expert developers can also use low-code platforms.
This myth arises due to the confusion between low-code and no-code tools. Unlike no-code applications, low-code applications are not "without code." Apart from the visual drag-and-drop functionalities and API connectors, low-code applications require both customizations and logic building. These capabilities need a professional developer or programmer.
This misconception also arises as some developers don't prefer the overall concept of the low-code approach. They also worry that low-code tools can potentially make them obsolete. The fact remains that low-code tools can simplify the work of developers and reduce the level of manual coding.
This myth arises from the belief that professional developers associate customization with the amount of coding they need to do. Low-code tools are considered "black boxes" that generate code without exposing it to developers.
Favorably, modern low-code developer tools do not limit customization and are used to:
All low-code development tools (or platforms) may not offer complete customization features. Hence, you will need to evaluate the best tools that offer customization.
How do organizations overcome these misconceptions about low-code platforms? Let's discuss it next.
In any business environment, organizations must point out the benefits of low-code development to both technical and non-technical users. This includes the following stakeholders:
For a successful transition, organizations must onboard all their stakeholders and coordinate the adoption through an independent team. Some of their effective initiatives can include highlighting:
Effectively, organizations can dispel common myths by highlighting how low-code platforms are beneficial to their various stakeholders.
As with any technology, low-code development has its share of common myths and detractors. We hope this article has dispelled some of the common misconceptions revolving around low-code platforms.
At Novigo Solutions, we realize the importance of low-code platforms like Outsystems and Nintex. As a low-code implementation company, we have successfully delivered high-quality applications to our customers based on their specific needs.
Want to know more about low-code development? Get in touch with us today.
