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What is low-code application development?

Low code is a software development approach that requires little to no coding to develop full-fledged applications and workflows.

Low-code platforms are a collection of tools that enable the visual development of applications through modeling and a graphical interface. Low-code enables developers to skip hand-coding, speeding up the process of getting an application up and running.

As opposed to using complex programming languages, you can leverage visual interfaces having basic logic and drag and drop capabilities in a low code development platform.

Users with little to no knowledge of software creation can use these intuitive methods to develop a wide variety of applications that streamline operations and turbocharge business growth.

According to Gartner, low-code will be responsible for more than 65% of application development activity by 2024 and the pressure to deliver digital solutions to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this adoption.

To comprehend the increasing popularity of this development approach, it’s important to understand the concept of low-code, the composition of low-code platforms, and what problems low-code solves.

Features of low code platforms

Low code application development platforms automate every step of the application lifecycle.

Development is more accessible to users without technical expertise, thanks to features that accelerate the development process.

1. Visual modeling

Drag and drop functionality accompanied by an intuitive visual UI makes it possible for developers to boost their productivity and build all types of applications.

Low code platforms enable you to visualize how the application functions as it is being developed and bestow the ability to launch with one-click deployment.

2. Benefits of visual modeling

• Utilize existing talent to build apps faster
• Empower departments outside of IT to participate in the development process
• Develop a plethora of solutions at reasonable costs
• Improved collaboration and decision making
• Free up specialized developers to work on more complex and important tasks

3. Reusable components

Build cross-platform applications with pre-configured modules, logic, templates, and more. Components of a low code application can be modified extensively by skilled developers.

4. Collaboration tools

Build collaboratively using built-in tools for feedback loops, revision tracking, user stories, and more. The visual nature of low code ensures everybody speaks a uniform development language.

5. Scalable environments

Implement new apps and enhance existing apps spontaneously to meet ever-evolving customer demands. A cloud-empowered low code platform provides flexibility, enables continuous delivery and scalability on demand.

6. Data integration

Securely integrate data from any source or system including your core legacy systems. Create applications using pre-configured APIs.

7. Application lifecycle management

Low code supports all phases of the application development lifecycle and provides tools to optimize project management, requirements management, testing, deployment, and more. 

Holistic low-code platforms incorporate Agile development practices and DevOps tools. 

Benefits of low code application development

1. Rapid application development

By automating a huge chunk of the repetitive coding process, low code enables you to release applications at lightning speed and meet customer demands on time. It also allows you to make constant iterations at any point in the application lifecycle.

2. Business-IT alignment

Business management personnel can bring innovative ideas to life just by dragging and dropping elements. These prototypes simplify the work of programmers who can use them as a starting point when building enterprise applications.

3. Eliminate shadow IT

Since business users can develop their own solutions on an IT-approved low code platform, the use of unapproved software can be reduced.

4. Effective security and governance

Low code platforms provide all the necessary security frameworks, authentication mechanisms, and governance controls for your applications under one roof, rendering security easy to manage for your organization.

How to choose the right low code platform for your business?

With more than 300 vendors offering solutions in the market, choosing the right low code solution for your company can be daunting. 

That being said, use the evaluation criteria mentioned below to pick the best solution for your business!

1. Collaborative IDEs

To enable your entire workforce to co-create solutions, ensure that the platform you use has separate IDEs for both professional developers and people with little to no coding knowledge.

The solution should incorporate built-in tools that facilitate excellent collaboration between business and IT teams throughout the application lifecycle. 

2. Productivity

To support developers of all skill levels, the platform should offer an IDE with drag and drop widgets, reusable components, and real-time collaboration tools to supercharge development efficiency.

The platform should also facilitate flexible integration and provide DevOps tools to help developers build complex apps and systems at a rapid pace.  

3. Cloud support

The low code platform you choose should support scalable development of cloud-native applications, and enable you to deploy on public, private, hybrid and on-premise cloud environments. 

4. Data integration

Your chosen platform should have the ability to integrate with any system and data source. 

It should empower developers to find, comprehend, and use data from any internal or external source in a hassle-free manner without compromising data security. 

5. Application lifecycle management

Your low code solution should have an integrated set of tools and services for continuous support throughout the application development lifecycle including requirements gathering, brainstorming, deployment, and performance monitoring.

This support eliminates the traditional hindrances, costs, and risks associated with application delivery while enhancing quality and providing a more engaging development experience to all stakeholders.

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