Software and application development is usually outsourced whenever a business is launched. IT has played a key role in the advancement of both small and large businesses and these growing businesses are focusing more on their core strengths as a result of the rise in SaaS, low code and no code application development.
Two important factors are into consideration when a business has to decide on the software and application development: Scope of Customization and Ease of Setup. Based on the requirements, the answers to the following two questions will help the business in deciding what is the most feasible option for their software and application development needs:
No code is a term used to describe software development methods that do not require programming expertise. In essence, it is a platform that enables people with little to no coding experience to create applications and software without the need for traditional programming languages. With a no code platform, users can build custom applications, automate workflows, and create complex business logic without writing a single line of code.
Low code is a development approach that uses a visual, drag-and-drop interface to create applications, making it easier for people with limited programming skills to create applications. Low code platforms use pre-built components and templates to streamline the development process and allow users to build complex applications quickly.
Low code and no code platforms provide users with a simplified way of creating applications without having to write code. They offer pre-built components, templates, and drag-and-drop interfaces that make it easy for anyone to build applications quickly. Low code platforms tend to be more suitable for building complex applications, while no code platforms are better suited for simpler applications and workflows.
The graph below shows the different levels of customization and simplicity involved in the development process across Coding, Low Code, No Code and SaaS
Now, let’s dive-in to understand how does the significance of software and application development by each of these have an impact on the business in terms of the scope of customization and the ease of setup in the development process.
The basic necessity for a business here is to maintain and manage a dedicated IT team comprising of architects, developers, testers and other professionals related to the development team.
Softwares and applications are built purely by coding from the ground up. This implies that there is absolute freedom to the developers for customization and business can freely decide the type of functionality they would like to have in their softwares and applications.
The ease of setting up is low due to the high level of scope in customization in the software and application development process. Coding is a complex process and adding customization to that increases the complexity of the development process exponentially.
Low Code means coding is involved in the software and application development but the volume of coding is less compared to the conventional coding method. Though the level of dependency might vary here, there is still a decent level of dependency on a developer or an IT team.
Pre-built or already coded drag-and-drop blocks are available in the development process. Although, there is coding involved and this is what makes the development process of softwares and applications in Low Code to have a certain degree of customizability.
Even with pre-built modules the ease of setting up the development process is low due to the provision of coding which paves way for customization. Business owners will have specific requirements and apart from the pre-built modules the business might need to code to have custom softwares and applications.
No Code literally translates to zero code and it means the same too. There is no dependency on developers and there is no need to maintain and manage a dedicated IT team for software and application development processes. Powerful business process applications can be built without coding even a single line.
There is no coding involved and the software and application development is totally dependent on simple drag-and-drop blocks which are pre-built coded modules. Also, there is a provision to code in-app for customized sections and not to build modules from scratch. This is what makes No Code an ideal customizable platform for software and application development.
Almost all the processes of development are accomplished by the drag-and-drop blocks unless coding is absolutely needed, the ease of setup is ideal for software and application development.
SaaS products require no coding and there is no need to struggle in setting up the environment. They are ready-made solutions available for businesses which can be availed easily, installed effortlessly and are ready to use.
SaaS products are readily available solutions and they cannot be customized. Due to this businesses have to depend on multiple SaaS solutions for their various use cases.
All that the concerned employee of a business needs to do is purchase a ready made SaaS and install it to use. Therefore, the ease of setup is high.
Now that the air is clear around the subject of: Coding vs Low Code vs No Code vs SaaS for software and application development of your business, we hope this article has helped you in understanding the scope of customization and the ease of setup for all these platforms.
Every business is unique and their respective operational use cases differ too. As a result, understanding the requirements of business operations and how the platform helps in automating those operations is critical in selecting the feasible platform for software and application development.
Low-code and No-code platforms share similarities, but they are not identical. Low-code development allows for the creation of applications with minimal hand-coding, using visual interfaces and pre-built components. No-code platforms, on the other hand, empower users to design and build applications without requiring any coding knowledge whatsoever. Both solutions cater to different user groups and serve distinct purposes, streamlining application development processes for professionals and non-technical users alike.
Low-code and No-code platforms will not entirely replace traditional coding, but they are transforming the way applications are built. These platforms enable rapid application development, automating repetitive tasks, and reducing the need for manual coding. However, complex, highly customized, and performance-critical applications will still necessitate expert developers with coding skills. Traditional coding will continue to coexist with low-code and no-code platforms, complementing each other and catering to different use cases.
A wide range of users employ Low-code and No-code platforms to create applications and streamline workflows. For businesses, these platforms empower non-technical employees to develop functional applications without relying on IT teams, enhancing productivity and reducing development time. IT professionals also leverage low-code platforms to accelerate the delivery of applications, focusing on more complex tasks or customizations. Industries such as healthcare, finance, education, and retail are increasingly adopting low-code and no-code solutions to meet their unique needs and foster digital transformation.
Build Custom Business Apps Without CodingGet Started - It's free!
Build Custom Business Apps Without CodingGet Started - It's free!