The Art Of Low-code Development

What is Low-code development? How can it revolutionize the application development industry? Check out and find out in this article.

The Definition Of Low-code

According to Forrester Research in 2014, the term “Low-code” refers to a fast, continuous and test-and-learn delivery, which is an innovative software development method that aims to develop applications in a shortened life cycle, compared to traditional coding methods. With the low-code method, automation is the key to speed up the synchronization within the software cycles, using various low-code platforms.

Low code platforms are software ecosystems that help developing apps and minimizing manual coding, because most features have already been built. Businesses can achieve various benefits from low-code development, thanks to its time-efficiency and little-to-no code involved during the development process. 

According to Spreadsheetweb, there are more than 300 low-code platforms around the world, such as Appian, Mendix, OutSystems and Quickbase. These low-code platforms allow users to do very little coding, in comparison with high-code (reliant on developers to write and test codes) and no-code (zero coding involved). 

Using low-code platforms, developers can deploy a self-service tool for business users to control the assembly of product segments. Basic low-code platforms offer pre-configured components that can be easily edited and deployed by people without technological background.

The foundation of low-code is suitable for most businesses. As the business scale gets larger, there will be more pressure for the development team. CEO, COO and Product Managers can take advantage of low-code projects and make adjustments themselves with little effort.

Features Of Low-code Development

Low-code features many helpful functions that allow users to conveniently save time and increase productivity. Take a look at the following characteristics of a common low-code platform:

Modeling

Most Low-code development features Drag-and-drop function with a simple, easy-to-understand user interface. Users can take advantage of these models to visualize their products and keep tabs on its development process.

Recyclable Components

While building cross-platform products, developers can recycle or reuse components with little to no effort. Skilled developers can customize low-code apps efficiently. Usable elements are pre-tested for security and performance so it wouldn’t be necessary to perform testings again.

Collaboration Tools

The built-in tools are integrated for feedback loops with revision tracking, messaging & user stories that are shared between all relevant parties of a project. Low-code development involves a single development language, which promotes organizational communication.

Let’s take a look at the overall pros and cons of low-code development:

Overall Pros

• Fast Time-to-market: Time-efficiency is one of the most important traits of low-code development. Low-code helps reduce a lot of time and resources on projects by eliminating extra steps to build a product. The highlighted feature is the drag-and-drop function that allows users to customize their system interface and logically allocate resources.
• Easy-to-use: Low-code allows users to easily modify content and features using a convenient CMS (Content management system). Many popular low-code platforms come with an easy-to-use CMS so that organization leaders can assign technologically inexperienced employees to work on.

Overall Cons

• Limited customization: With a predefined set of configuration, low-code platforms are restricted to a definite number of functions. If a user wishes to expand their product’s functions, the developers might have to work harder to develop new features compared to traditional coding methods.
• Cross-platform assistance: Transferring and viewing data between various integrated platforms, including user management, databases, etc. can be difficult. For example, a low-code product built on the Appian platform wouldn’t be able to be modified using Mendix tools, because they don’t use the same codings.

Low-code is an amazing and efficient solution for new businesses, yet some disadvantages persist. Therefore, we are here with a breakthrough solution. Check it out!

Introducing Meliplatform - Our Latest Low-code Solution

Meliplatform is a product of Melilab, which includes the most important functions of a software project and recycles them between sprints. It offers developers the tool to develop softwares within a limited time frame to publish.

With Meliplatform, you will no longer have to ponder about how to design a form, how to verify content or what to do before submitting forms, etc. All you have to do is to submit information and perform JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) configuration.

One of the purposes of Meliplatform is to tackle the current disadvantage of common low-code platforms, which is limited customization. It utilizes the latest technologies and finds a way to link all resources into a logical arrangement. Therefore, developers can finish a new feature much faster than usual, with a dynamic organization tree structure while still being able to upgrade it in the future.

If you are interested in this project, stay tuned for more interesting news in the future. In the meantime, feel free to contact us or learn more about what we can offer for your business organization.