Top 10 Low-code Features:- Streamline your business

In today's digital world, businesses continually look for new technology to help them meet their potential users' demands. Low-code development is one such emerging technology with great benefits. It allows companies to produce applications rapidly and effectively to achieve their objectives. 

Let's read the blog to learn about Low-code development. 

What is a Low-code development?

Low-code development is a technique that allows developers to create apps with minimum effort and hand coding. It uses a model-driven, drag-and-drop interface. Any developers, including professionals or citizens, can use low-code development to create robust, value-driven, and feature-rich apps. 

Some top Low-code development examples include Mendix, Appian, and Microsoft Power Apps. 

Why Low-code development?

Here are the reasons for choosing Low-code development-

• Low-code development platforms can include tools that enable developers to iterate and alter current processes swiftly.
• Low-code development decreases the need for specialized programming resources, which can assist in bringing down the cost of the product. 
• Low-code development tools offer greater flexibility when using business data. They provide a free-form method of building data, enabling users to compile and combine data from many sources.

The number has more power than words-

• By 2027, the low-code market will reach 65 billion US dollars worldwide. And by 2030, it's projected to reach $187 billion. This represents a CAGR of 31.1% from 2020 to 2030.
• Organizations will use low-code or no-code platforms to create 70% of their new applications by 2025. (This is a rise from under 25% in 2020.)
• By 2024, the majority of Enterprises (80%) will have policies in place for citizen developers. 
• According to a 2017 research from 451 Research and Filemaker, Inc., 82% of businesses cited the importance of app development outside of IT. According to the article, nearly 60% of custom apps were developed outside of IT. 

10 Low-code Development Features-

1. Reusability

 Monolithic apps are those apps that already have their set of required features. In the past, most of the apps were monolithic. These apps were complex and challenging to maintain. Developers had to deploy the complete monolith to alter a single component, a complex process that frequently necessitates additional test cycles.

So, the modern technical world requires a modern approach. The current coding requires reusability features. Creating reusable code blocks and web services is a fantastic approach, helping you to develop maintainable apps. 

'Building block' is an effective method for app development so it will be best for Enterprise Low-code. With enterprise-class tools, you can use functions and applications (or portions of applications) from one app to another.

Let's know some of the top benefits of this approach-

• Speed

With the 'building block' approach, you can develop more and more reusable 'blocks .'As a result, the development process quickens with time.

• Maintenance

The 'building block' strategy will help you maintain the app smoothly. You don't need to change the entire app to change a single block, which reflects in numerous applications.

• Robust

You can create a robust app with the 'building block' strategy. You can develop any app as you can add blocks in different apps. 

2. Hybrid Option For Developers and End-users

Low-code and No-code seem similar, but they are different. Do you know the basic difference between Low-code and No-code?

Well, Generally, most developers use Low-code development tools. They help developers in creating web apps super quickly. However, For complex projects, they require some level of coding. 

No-code development tools are mainly for citizen developers. They require zero or no coding and are super easy. These tools generally create basic apps with simple features. 

Everything has two sides: positive or negative, so these tools too. But, no one prefers to invest in two different tools for end-users and developers. In such a scenario, you must use Low-code tools that allow a hybrid approach. 

Let's see how to make it possible:

• A single, step-by-step build process:

Other low-code technologies offer a single-build process that resembles a wizard. Code can be added or removed from the app after development if necessary. 

• Two different build processes

Various low-code technologies offer interfaces for both developers and end-users. The developer interface has more possibilities but requires more technical expertise. No coding is necessary for the drag-and-drop user interface on the client side.

Enterprise Low-code tools must include no code features too to provide the best services for both a developer and an end-user. 

3. Citizen developers control

So, it's time to explain the last point better. If end users are getting rights to create apps or if developed applications are accessible by all types of employees, the tool must include granular authorization approval. 

Now you must be wondering what exactly authorization approval is. Well, Do you want to share the same information with every employee? Should the end-users have complete access to all the features available in the app? The answer is No. Enterprise-class low-code platforms should allow you to control user permissions on the following levels:

• Row-level: A key component of B2B, BI, and reporting applications, row-level permissions (or multi-tenant) regulate data access at the row level within a single application. Multiple users can access the same application but only see the permitted data.
• Application-level: Per-user role or per-user access controls are possible with application-level permissions. This comes with a system of role-based menus, which presents various menu selections to users based on their roles.
• Developer permissions: With developer permission, You can manage what information and functionality specific developers can access within the development environment. 

4. Workflow automation

According to a recent study, ineffective processes are the main reason for the majority of time lost during a typical workday.

Why do various companies find issues in this area? Typically, it comes down to the reality that their systems and procedures were for something other than the digital age. They don't interconnect their applications. Data changes do not start workflows. As a result, employees must manually fill in the blanks.

So, automation plays a crucial role in contemporary low-code technologies. They must have the ability to transfer data between various programs and services. When data is added or altered, they must have the power to start workflows.

Moreover, they must include a workflow automation designer. Workflow designers can utilize a drag-and-drop interface to automate business operations. Users can set workflow triggers when new or updated data is present.

5. Customization

Low-code development tools generally need help with customization (or a lack thereof). Many people have the misconception that you can't modify business apps that are already generated. In reality, customization is one of the disadvantages of the low code.

It's false that low-code tools only allow for a small amount of flexibility. It is assumed that the notion that 4GL and RAD technologies from the past are equivalent to low-code platforms. Those were constrained tools, but times have changed. Today, the majority of enterprise-class systems won't have those limitations.

Ask the vendor the following questions to ensure the tool you chose doesn't restrict your options:

• Allow white labeling on your site? Can the output be altered to reflect the style and tone of your business?
• Can we add particular business logic when developing applications? Can outside code be included in the applications?
• Are you able to make or alter application templates? 

6. Drag and drop interfaces

One-click deployment is a crucial low-code feature. Users can build user-friendly apps that can serve business goals with the help of a pre-set selection of components. Traditionally, new code had to be written whenever a developer wanted to change the design. Drag and drop functionality can apply to replace bulky frameworks effectively. 

Developers can drag user interface interactions, effects, widgets, themes, and other pre-built templates to create responsive apps. Interactive drag-and-drop movements enable businesses to visualize the production process quickly and ensure quicker development. 

7. Standard Languages

The business case for low-code software saves both money and effort. They enable you to deliver applications with fewer resources and in less time. They also lessen the requirement for coding expertise in the development process. 

These advantages, however, are only available if the platform has a low learning curve. It also doesn't call for any specialized knowledge and doesn't use proprietary programming languages. The issue is that certain tools still demand that you learn their specific language. Avoid them at all costs.

Before purchasing, you should know the following details: What knowledge is required to operate the platform? How much time will it take to launch? What technological expertise will our developers (or citizen developers) require? All of these should keep in mind when determining the software's return on investment.

8. Open-architecture

Low-code software has one of the most significant "features" that is also one you can't see: the architecture. Although application architecture may not be visible to users, it has a considerable impact.

Why should you be interested in architecture so much? It significantly affects how you use low-code platforms in general. It affects flexibility, mobility, security, and other factors.

Most important, a low-code tool's integration and extendability are greatly affected by its architecture. What if your low-code software can't perform all the tasks you require? How simple is it to modify that software to fit your needs? You must respond to two inquiries:

• How simple is it to integrate this into our current systems?
• How simple is it to combine this with other services?

9. Platform Control

Platform adaptability is crucial, but I'm unsure if this counts as a low-code "feature." After all, what would happen if you decided to stop using low-code software? How much vendor lock-in are you willing to endure?

You must examine the software from several perspectives to respond to that question:

•  The platform produces stand-alone applications, but do they run only with an active subscription? Undoubtedly, you want applications that function apart from the development environment. That way, they'll still work even if you walk away from it.
• Who has access to the data? Does it reside on their servers or on-site storage? Ensure there is an easy way to export and download the data if it is kept on their systems. 
•  How simple is it to change platforms? What would happen, for instance, if you decided to relocate your applications from the cloud to internal storage?

10. Standardized process

Most of the low-code tools standardize the development process. 

So, what makes them so essential? If you have several developers working for you, your code will always vary to some extent. Every developer has unique habits and coding preferences. Some people will adhere to tight rules, while others won't. Several apps use various standards if you have a team of programmers.

Anyone who has ever re-start another developer's work can understand its importance. Consider how convenient it would be to pick up where they left off because everyone follows the same procedure.

Now, each tool will have a different amount of standardization. You must be aware of how the build procedure functions and how simple it is for developers to document their modifications. You will avoid a lot of future hassles by doing this.

Low code Platform:- Who can use them?

Web developers, Citizen developers, or anyone with an idea can use a Low-code platform to make a perfect app and tackle today's business challenges. The Low code includes integrated development environments (IDEs) for web and citizen developers.

Low-code Developers:

• Web Developers

Low code offers developers a specialized IDE and a robust toolkit for client-side, server-side, and integration development. 

Professional web developers can use Low-code for various purposes, including adding new functionality to existing apps, connecting data from multiple sources, creating mobile apps, taking advantage of microservices, and turning corporate needs into unique solutions.

• Citizen Developers

Citizen developers or non-technical business users can use low-code's streamlined development environment. 

While IT continues to have insight and control over the organization's app environment, governance reduces shadow IT and allows anyone to create simple apps.

Wrap Up

Low-code development is a revolutionary approach to creating applications quickly and efficiently. With its drag-and-drop interface, developers of all skill levels can build robust, feature-rich applications with minimal effort. Low-code development offers numerous benefits, including reusability, hybrid options for developers and end-users, workflow automation, customization, drag-and-drop interfaces, standardized processes, and more. With the low-code market projected to reach billions of dollars in the coming years, businesses must consider low-code development to meet users' demands and stay ahead of the competition. Low-code development is an accessible and effective solution for web developers, citizen developers, and anyone with a business idea looking to build custom applications.