What Is A Low-Code Platform?

Low code is a user-friendly software development approach. It requires little to no coding for developing applications and processes. Therefore, you no longer have to use complex programming languages. Instead, you can utilize visual interfaces with basic drag-and-drop capabilities to build applications. There are numerous low-code platforms for IBM i. They can make your life a lot easier. However, what is a low-code platform? What are the best platforms for 2022? In this post, you will find all the details.

What is a low-code platform?

Low-code platforms are solutions that provide a visual environment for app development. They allow you to effortlessly develop both simple and complex applications in a graphical interface. Low code platforms provide several advanced tools such as drag-and-drop modelers, pre-built templates, intuitive UI, etc. It helps you quickly design and deploy apps. Also, it allows your organization to scale. Hence, you can get good ROI and make your business more profitable.

What are the features of low code development?

1. Visual modelling tools

Low code development follows visual approaches and templates for building apps. Hence, you can quickly create applications. Low-code systems utilize built-in modules to reflect the details in a user-friendly way. Hence, its suitable for everyone ranging from non-technical enterprise users to advanced developers. With the power of low-code, you can experience the simplicity of the no-code approach.

2. Drag-and-drop interface

Low-code platforms offer drag-and-drop functionality. It is one of the most critical and valuable features. It significantly boosts the application development process. It can benefit both citizen developers and technical developers.

3. Scalability

Scalability is another important aspect. Low-code systems allow you to scale resources as the number of users rises. It can be very helpful once your company begins to expand.

Read: What is the most robust IBM i green screen modernization?

What are the different types of development platforms?

There are different types of low-code platforms. But broadly, they are classified into five different categories. They are:

• General Purpose
• Request Handling
• Process
• Mobile First
• Database

What is the difference between low-code and no-code development?

Low code and no-code development might sound the same. However, there are some differences. For instance, low-code development platforms target developers. They enable skilled programmers to develop apps faster. On the other hand, no-code platforms target business users. They don’t let you manually edit code. However, the focus is on delivering the most user-friendly interface. Hence, it is more suitable for enterprise users.

The other difference is the trade-off. Low code systems are designed to build a wide range of technical solutions. They require you to do some coding. Therefore, it gives the developers the power they need to build the app the way they like. On the other hand, no-code platforms abstract away all technological information. They don’t require you to do any coding. Hence, they are easier and simpler to use. However, they are only suitable for a few use cases.

Read: What is IBM i?

What type of development platform do I need?

There are two types of low-code systems. The first one is suitable for developers. It helps you deliver more applications in significantly less time. On the other hand, the other type of low-code system is suitable for business and citizen developers. It doesn’t require any programming skills to create apps.

What can you build with it?

Low-code platforms allow you to create any web and mobile application. The most common types of apps that the developers build are:

• Legacy modernization applications
• Workspace application
• Operation improvement application

How can you choose the first low-code project?

You can choose your first low-code project by following this approach:

• First, you have to understand all the low-code use cases
• Next, you have to map out the problems and project requirements in terms of the use case
• Then you have to find out what will take the least amount of time and resources
• Finally, you can start working on your first low-code project

What benefits does it offer?

Low code implementation provides a wealth of benefits. Here are some of the most important advantages:

1. Shorten Production Time

Creating a custom-built application is never easy. The process is time-consuming. Therefore, you can’t release the app into the market within a short time. Low-code platforms enable you to quickly build apps. It can significantly shorten production time. Hence, you will face no problem with quickly making the app available to the users.

2. Access control

Low-code platforms provide simple and user-friendly access control. It enables you to easily monitor who has access to the applications. You can assign users with different roles, like administrators, co-owners, or end-users.

3. Low cost

Manually coding each part of the application takes a lot of time. Therefore, you will have to spend a huge amount of money. On the other hand, low-code platforms enable you to develop applications with minimal coding. Hence, you can quickly build apps on a significantly low budget.

Learn more about the benefits of low code.

What are the best low-code development tools for 2023?

1. Visual LANSA

Visual LANSA enables professional developers to quickly create applications. The process is significantly faster than the traditional coding approach. It can make your life a lot easier. Also, it offers a higher level of control than the other low-code platforms. Overall, it’s the best low-code app development tool for 2022.

LANSA’s low-code development platform accelerates and simplifies the development process. It lets you quickly build enterprise apps. Hence, you can boost the productivity of your development team.

Features:

• Offers powerful low-code IDE for helping you quickly create desktop, web, and mobile apps
• Enables you to develop apps faster and easier than traditional methods
• Helps you to significantly reduce development cost
• Offers extensive testing, deployment, and integration controls
• Lets you write code inside the IDE
• The only low-code platform that runs on IBM i, Windows, and web

2. Retool

Retool allows you to quickly build internal tools. It lets you visually design apps that can interact with any database or API. Also, it lets you customize your app’s look and functionality with coding. Hence, Retool is suitable for everyone, including both technical and non-professional developers.

Retool can speed up your development process. Hence, you can deliver the apps faster. That’s why, it’s considered to be one of the best low-code tools for 2022.

Features:

• Supports both cloud and self-hosted options
• Supports over 50 drag-and-drop components to help you quickly build the frontend
• Lets you integrate dozens of popular data sources
• Allows you to use a REST or GraphQL API
• Lets you write custom code in JavaScript to customize apps
• Offers fine-grained access controls to secure applications and audit logs

3. GeneXus

GeneXus is a unique platform. It helps you to build applications for both present and future technologies without learning any new tools. It enables you to quickly evolve as a pragmatic developer. Hence, you can effectively adapt to market and technological changes.

Features:

• Supports AI-based automatic software generation.
• Lets you generate responsive and progressive web apps, mobile native and hybrid apps, Apple Tv apps, chatbots, and virtual assistants
• Supports a large number of databases
• Provides interoperability capabilities for system integrations.
• Supports automatic change between technologies and platforms, helps your systems to evolve over a long period
• Utilizes integrated BPM modeling to provide digital process automation and business process management support
• Offers flexibility of deploying apps on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid scenarios.
• Includes application security module

4. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is another great solution. Its cross-platform app builder enables you to quickly develop native mobile applications. You can create apps on the web. Then you can publish them on iOS and Android devices. It provides your app with multi-platform access.

Zoho Creator is powerful and flexible. It enables you to build applications with minimal coding. It can significantly reduce development time and effort. As a result, you can save a lot of money.

Also, Zoho Creator can effectively adapt to your business needs. As a result, it has become one of the top low-code platforms for building enterprise applications.

Features:

• Allows you to build more applications with minimal effort
• Lets you easily connect with your business data
• Allows you to collaborate across teams.
• Enables you to quickly create insightful reports
• Provides instant access to mobile apps
• Offers high-level security

5. Web.com

Web.com provides 100 templates to help you quickly create websites. Also, it offers tons of themes and layout design options. Besides, it supports drag-and-drop builder. As a result, you can easily add or remove elements. You don’t have to write a single line of code.

Web.com supports automatic backup and site restore. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about website data safety. Also, it supports the most popular CMS platforms, including WordPress.

Web.com is intuitive. Its editors and template library are very easy to use. Therefore, you will love to use it.

Top Features:

• Supports drag and drop builder
• Offers 100 custom templates
• Enables easy online store creation and management
• Offer free domain with the plan
• Supports automatic site restore functionality

6. UI Bakery

UI Bakery enables you to visually build web apps. It lets you add code or custom components. Hence, you get complete control over your business logic.

UI Bakery allows small and medium businesses to easily automate their operations. It doesn’t require you to engage in-house or external development teams. Therefore, it can help you to save a lot of money.

UI Bakery is a great choice for small and medium businesses. It’s one of the top low-code platforms for 2022.

Features:

• Offers both cloud and on-premise hosting
• Supports dozens of built-in components and data source connectors, including SQL, HTTP, and 3rd-party services
• Supports generators to help you quickly build CRUD apps

Read: What does modernize mean?

7. Google AppSheet

As the name suggests, it’s a low-code tool provided by Google. It offers a drag-and-drop interface. Hence, you can easily create business apps.

The AppSheet allows you to automate processes and improve collaboration. Also, it leverages Google’s AI and ML technologies to help you build apps faster. Overall, it’s an amazing low-code platform.

Features:

• Allows you to quickly build critical apps
• Supports drag-and-drop interface
• Allows you to auto-construct actions and views based on user intent with Google AI and ML
• Very easy to connect with different data sources, like Google Sheets and Salesforce

Is Visual LANSA really the best low-code platform for 2023?

Visual LANSA effectively combines low-code and traditional coding approaches. Hence, you get a hybrid low-code development platform. It allows you to effortlessly develop desktop and progressive web apps. Also, Visual LANSA enables rapid building, deployment, and operation of applications. Therefore, it can effectively boost your development workflow. It makes you significantly more productive. Hence, Visual LANSA is considered to be the best low-code platform for 2022 and beyond.

Visual LANSA is a low-code platform. It simplifies the way of developing applications. Try it now for free. Or contact us directly.

FAQ

Is low code only for large enterprises?

No, low-code platforms are not only for large enterprises. It is suitable for businesses of any size. Both small companies and large enterprises can utilize low code for enhancing their CRM. Also, they can automate certain business processes with low-code BPM.

Who can use low code at my organization?

Anyone can use low code. Whether you are an HR manager or a professional developer, you will find it very useful. It enables you to easily develop solutions. Thanks to the intuitive nature and high scalability.

Who is a citizen developer?

A citizen developer is a non-professional developer. The individual utilizes low-code or no-code technology to build applications. Citizen developers don’t have extensive coding knowledge. That’s why they are not considered to be professional developers.

What is visual development and how does it work?

Visual development refers to using a visual interface to create applications. It involves both low-code and no-code platforms. The visual interface comes with simple logic and drag-and-drop functionality. It makes the development process significantly easier than traditional development via coding.

How to build an app without code?

You can build apps without code by utilizing low-code and no-code platforms. Both of them offer visual and intuitive development experiences. Therefore, you don’t have to write a single line of code to create the application.

What is the difference between low-code and low-coder?

Low code refers to the technology of building custom applications with minimal to zero coding. On the other hand, low-coders are citizen developers with a basic understanding of coding. They can apply business logic to build custom apps with low-code development platforms.