Once upon a time, someone promised us that computers would make our lives easier. We’d get much more work done in much less time, our jobs would be easier, and our workdays would be shorter.
So what happened? Computers did make our lives easier in some ways. For example, the ability to copy, cut, and paste was a huge leap forward.
What really happened was that computers created more complexity: Our jobs became more complex. Business systems became more complex. The world became more complex.
Traditionally, programmers created tools to simplify things. But there just isn’t enough raw talent available to create the tools we need to keep up with the complexity we face.
So now we have no-code and low-code solutions.
What are no-code and low-code solutions?
Creating programs has always required coding. That usually means large teams of highly skilled programmers working hard over extended time periods to build the next big thing. Since programmers are usually pretty smart people, they’ve always found ways to make their jobs easier. That started by writing code that could write code.
Over time, those solutions became increasingly sophisticated. They reached the point where a couple of highly motivated developers could knock out a project over the weekend that once took hundreds of human hours.
Then, they started creating visual tools that could do the work with drag-and-drop elements. While these tools have been around for a long time, they were only available to a select few. Recently, they’ve been available to the general public, where they’re used to build websites, web apps, and mobile apps without needing to know how to code.
What’s the difference between no-code and low-code?
The differences and definitions of these two approaches to coding are quite simple. Low-code means less code is necessary to create an app. No-code means no code at all is necessary. But the practical application needs a bit more understanding. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
What is no-code, and who is it for?
No-code solutions are apps capable of a high amount of complexity, which would usually require coding. Instead of manual input, these solutions use clever design features to allow people to come up with advanced solutions without needing to understand programming.
People still need a good head on their shoulders to fully take advantage of no-code solutions. For example, someone who doesn’t understand the difference between a database and a spreadsheet might struggle to extend a no-code solution, especially if they are trying to create an optimized tool for their company or team.
On the other hand, if someone is knowledgeable about technology basics (and they’re inventive and driven), they can do amazing things with no-code solutions. However, coders may feel stifled by no-code solutions, as they’ll need a higher degree of control that may not exist with no-code solutions.
What is low-code, and who is it for?
No-code solutions don’t require programming skills, as they offer pre-built templates and drag-and-drop features. Low-code allows for more customization and gives developers the flexibility to write custom code when needed. It’s a perfect balance between the ease of no-code features and the adaptability of custom designs.
Programmers can still get their hands dirty and work with the code when they need to do something the app builders didn’t predict. Designers can easily build programs without touching any code.
How do people use no-code and low-code solutions?
To keep up with the complexity of modern programs, there are progressively more highly flexible tools that provide low- and no-code aspects. This allows non-programmers to modify the tools, sometimes creating new ones to address additional complexities.
Here are some of the most popular uses for low- and no-code solutions:
- Low-key app development: You can use low- and no-code solutions to replace web and mobile app creation as well as other forms of programming. Tools like Thunkable, Jotform App Builder, and Bubble are excellent examples of no-code app builders. Low-code tools like FlutterFlow may be more appealing to coders.
- Custom-tailored apps: Many apps have built-in flexibility so that you can repurpose them to your needs. These apps have a general purpose in mind, but it’s more of a suggestion or a loose structure. They’re built for versatility and modularity. Some excellent examples are ClickUp, Jotform, Notion, and Airtable. These types of apps are generally considered no-code solutions.
- Power-user modifications: If developers don’t find the features they need in a program, they can use a combination of highly flexible custom-tailored apps and automation. In this way, they can push apps far beyond their intended purposes. When they’re done, they have a whole new app or complete system based on existing tools. Creating something so complex usually requires a low-code solution.
- Automation: Most modern programs have a way to connect to other apps and tools using a combination of integrations and an application programming interface (API). Integrations are tools that apps use to share features between themselves and other apps. APIs securely expose a portion of the data to the outside world. Some apps, like Jotform, are built with automation in mind and have an extensive library of integrations as well as an API. There are also a number of third-party tools, like Zapier, that connect apps to each other using each app’s individual API. Integrations are considered no-code solutions. APIs require code, but tools like Zapier reduce API connections to low-code solutions.
Which one is best for you or your staff?
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether no-code or low-code is best for your team. First, we should look at the need. There are two main uses for these solutions:
- Automating and streamlining internal processes
- Creating apps and tools or automation solutions for clients and other businesses
If you’re building apps for other companies, you should go with a low-code solution because clients will most likely have unique wants and needs. Low-code tools give you more flexible solutions. They’re not as malleable as building apps from scratch with code, but you’ll have a lot more freedom than no-code solutions.
If you’re planning on streamlining a company’s processes, a no-code solution may be a better option. Most of the highly flexible modern apps are sophisticated enough to let you adjust the apps to your specifications. If they can’t do it, integrations or universal connectors like Zapier almost always offer a solution.
In the end, most companies and users will most likely not need a low-code solution. There’s such a wide variety of features in no-code solutions that coding is usually not necessary.
A perfect example of a no-code solution is Jotform, where you can use forms to streamline and automate communications. It also offers the Tables tool, which takes care of data management. In fact, there is an entire suite of other tools and integrations that let you turn Jotform into anything you or your company might need. Sign-up to Jotform today for free.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov
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