No Code Expectations vs Reality

Since its conception, no-code has indeed changed and innovated how developers create ground-breaking and life-changing apps that change their lives along with it. One significant change no-code brought was its usability; even ordinary people with little to no knowledge about coding can now create apps of their own. These newbies are now commonly known as 'citizen developers.’ In the simplest of statements, no-code has genuinely paved the way toward innovation and success in terms of app development.

Along with this trend that has spread and is continuously spreading like wildfire, many expectations that became misconceptions have sprung from this revolutionary movement. Today, we talk about some of the initial expectations about no-codes and shed light on the reality behind these misconceptions. We are not here to debunk any of these claims but rather to inform and educate on what revolves around these notions and state only the facts. Let's go.

No Code Development – What Is It?

No code development is a process that allows software creation using not traditional code writing but rather a graphical user interface done by non-programmers and programmers. This revolutionary movement strongly suggests that technology should allow people to facilitate the creation and not become a barrier that can be challenging to enter.

Codes power the majority, if not all, aspects of our lives nowadays. From monitoring your bank accounts, and reacting to your friends on social media platforms, to online shopping for the new trends in fashion on e-commerce sites, programming hugely contributes to all actions possible in these given situations.

Let’s face it – most of us lack the knowledge needed in code writing. This idea seemed a far-fetched one involving web app crafting and development, or website building and monitoring can easily be in one’s reach. A space only developers and well-skilled coders could only navigate before, can, and is nowadays readily available and wide open to anyone. The widespread no-code movement eliminated all obstacles brought about by knowing programming languages, allowing anyone to turn their infant ideas into mainstream programming.

Developing and launching web applications before were only made possible through the help of skilled programmers. But with platforms of no-code development, together with tutorials abundant online to guide anyone through the process, anyone can have their way in getting their ideas to become a reality and be put out there. No longer does it matter whether you’re a developer or a newbie – no code can help you through the challenge.

Simply put, no code is a layer of abstraction over code writing. This notion means that it would take code fundamentals to translate these wonders into the well-known basic, the ‘drag, and drop.' This popular solution allows creators to build modern apps and websites visually. 

Expectation vs Reality

Now that we are somewhat reacquainted with the no-code movement let's go straight into some expectations, or rather, misconceptions about no-codes. As mentioned earlier, we'll try not to debunk these claims but, on a more positive note, shed light on the matter using facts and well-known information to help us better understand how no-code development truly works.

Expectation: No-code platforms are only trending now and will diminish later on.

Reality:

No-code, along with low-code platforms, may have been trending since their conception, but there is more to these platforms than simply being another fad or trend. Although the no-code principle has been around since the 80s, it was not until 2014 that these innovations have genuinely found the limelight. Recently, platforms for no-code and low-code have spread like wildfire and have risen to instant stardom. Most significantly, simplicity and capability are two (2) significant differences between 80s old tools and today’s no-code movement. So, no-codes are not only mere trends that will eventually vanish away – these platforms are here to stay!

Expectation: There is insecurity in platforms of little to no code.

Reality:

No-codes are platform-dependent, with the right platform never becoming lax in terms of vital security. So, a great deal of guarantee can be assured when it comes to the standards of security and privacy and how these critical factors are met.

When it comes to cloud computing, no one messes around with security, and it is always a significant worry to seriously be taken into consideration. But even reputable no-code vendors recognize the utmost importance and need for the most robust security, privacy, and compliance possible. These essential factors guarantee appropriate controls across operations, such as app designing, development, delivery, hosting, and maintenance. This notion guarantees total uncompromisable security and privacy. In addition, platform providers reassure their customers that their security procedures are well-verified by the industry’s most acceptable security standards – ISO 27001 and SSAE18 SOC 2 being two of them.

Expectation No-codes only hamper collaboration.

Reality:

No-codes are the kind of development requiring more significant degrees of cooperation than the conventional one. By now, you might already be aware that collaboration is a crucial no-code platform component. By nature, developers are known to work alone to produce a multitude of code lines. On the other hand, business users are known to collaborate in creating their final products using no-codes while under the supervision of their central IT team. So, everyone’s voice is always heard. Indeed, witnessing several scenarios of the whole business helping hand-in-hand are one for the books.

Expectation: No-codes are not that flexible.

Reality:

No-code platforms, since their inception, were designed with sheer flexibility and simplicity of use always in mind! Users are flexible in transforming their potential concepts into workable apps in only hours or even minutes. No-codes are ready-made software for immediate use, so users have no restrictions in terms of capability. In addition, changes or additions to functionality are also possible at any given moment to suit necessary needs.

As one ridiculous illusion, no-code platforms are to provide business developers the utmost freedom to address specific difficulties and create applications bespoke according to these specifications. In addition, swift changes are essential and are pretty necessary, pushing flexibility into newer, far greater heights!

Expectations: No-codes have crazy restrictions and will never scale.

Reality:

Even though no-code platforms during their infancy had limitations here and there, the latest no-code cloud-based and advanced platforms allow limitless scalability and only the best performance possible. 

Many firms started with one particular process, then had expansions across the entire department with no-code platforms. Consequently, this idea was broadened even more, now including numerous departments. Most firms currently operate with at least two departments entirely powered by no-code platforms.

With these systems, businesses are enabled to automate both core and support nature tasks. All business scales resort to them in accelerating their journeys toward digital transformation.

Expectations: No-codes work well, only for lightweight apps.

Reality:

No-code platforms are now advanced in developing applications that range from the basics to the very sophisticated ones. This idea is one famous fallacy about no-code platforms that don’t do well in contributing to the platform’s lack of following. Many firms agree with the concept that low-code platforms enable custom code creation, utilizing them in creating enterprise-grade applications. But when inquired, how about no-code applications? With the presence of no-code platforms that are very specific and powerful, the tables have turned, working with a wide array of functions, including reporting, workflows, and complicated business rules, numerous alerts and triggers, and automated forms – the list goes on. These functions help create apps that are cumbersome yet enterprise-grade worthy.

Expectations: No-code makes coding obsolete.

Reality:

No-code platforms have one distinct feature: the inclusion of visual tools and pieces that allow users to construct programs through intuition with the help of drag-and-drop and graphical interfaces. This feature drastically lessens the time and expense required in application development.

As the terms apply, considering no-code is reciprocated into not wanting to do coding at all. So, this idea is a misconception that does not apply to no-code development. It is noteworthy that a few of the most influential platforms in no-code available nowadays allow the execution of some of these complex operations requiring no coding.

Expectation: Anyone can use no-code tools in building apps.

Reality:

Although no-code app development is way more user-friendly and faster than the conventional approach, they still require users to have at least some solid fundamental understanding and skills with the capability of this no-code tool.

No-code platforms are more suitable for business users and citizen developers because of the lack of coding needed in using them.

Expectations: Custom development is not a possibility using no-codes.

Reality:

Advanced no-code platforms give a reasonable amount of customization without needing any expensive tools or a considerable amount of coding, too. With the primary goal of no-code development of doing as much as possible without using codes, or at least some little code as possible, lacking customization is among the most prevailing misconceptions associated with no-code platforms nowadays.  No-code platforms that are sophisticated, available on the market today can provide the most excellent deal of flexibility in addressing this commonality. So, it can genuinely be worrisome to use the traditional no-code systems. Still, with the sophisticated solutions of today, no-codes are pretty much equipped and are capable of meeting this challenge.

Expectations: Using no-codes eventually leads to the "Shadow IT" creation.

Reality:

Effectively implemented no-code platforms empower everyone – from power users, citizen developers, and business users – to solve each unique problem and concern and construct applications supervised by the central IT team. The governance of the central IT team precludes the potential occurrence of any sort of shadow IT. The term “shadow IT” refers to the creation and the usage of unapproved and unregulated applications. This idea is dangerous since no-code development is so simple, with anybody developing and utilizing their applications. Still, it can result in silos of application within the business and chaos. Consequently, the central IT staff’s oversight is very critical. When the potential occurrence of Shadow IT is prevented, backlogs in the IT may be fixed immediately using effective management from who else but the primary IT team.

Expectation: No-codes focuses on the “Build” phase of developing apps.

Reality:

No-code platforms appropriately configure the entire lifecycle of application development – from conception down to deployment and maintenance.

Seeing why this factor is a widely held misconception about no-code platforms is the title itself! Meanwhile, their applications are pretty much complicated already. Concerning the construction phase, no-code also deals with everything else throughout the process. This factor is vital in designing, implementing, testing, and deploying phases of the application and its maintenance.

In addition, particular systems give agility to the management of projects, loops of user feedback, and social collaboration. These aspects all contribute to the seamless lifecycle of the application.

Expectation: No-codes only work on applications for small departments.

Reality:

No-code applications presently employed in enterprises worldwide are developed by sophisticated corporate systems. The classic no-code platforms suit well in the development of modest departmental apps. In contrast, sophisticated no-code platforms enable business users to create an app of sophisticated enterprise-grade levels.

However, many businesses are still slow into hopping on the no-code bandwagon because they find it a bit simplistic — that is, they only cater to minuscule, minor tasks. But upon having a better understanding of how no-codes work, businesses started to recognize that these platforms could do way more than only little tasks. With humble beginnings, most apps are already scaled and enlarged to suit today’s business needs. May begin it with the new employee onboarding process, it still often spreads across the entire department, subsequently to others along the way.

Expectations: No-codes are only for citizen developers.

Reality:

Corporate owners are becoming increasingly suspicious about no-code platforms due to their seemingly unique design suitable only for citizen developers. But these platforms can also promote cross-functional teams in collaborating on the overall application development. These no-code platforms cater to collaboration within the group and its members, developing answers and solutions before addressing their particular difficulties.

No-Code Expectations and Its Realities

These are only some of the most common expectations about the no-code movement and how each genuinely is in reality. We can be guided accordingly by both aspects: expectations about no-code help us prepare for what's ahead of us; misconceptions are the ones that validate or eradicate these expectations, and; when we know the reality of things, we are now learning not only from the knowledge we know but with what we don't know also. Let's be guided accordingly and be knowledgeable in comparing and contrasting no-codes to better our lives.