Pros and Cons of No-Code Development

No-code is a trending topic in the world of modern technologies. Some specialists say it’s a game-changer since this development approach demands little to no expertise in programming. People who understand company needs but can’t create sophisticated products use no-code to solve this problem. This technology enables them to make or improve applications or websites and solve various business problems. 

To be precise, the name ‘’no-code technology’’ is incorrect. It does involve a lot of coding,  but all the manipulations remain invisible to the user. Special tools apply data abstraction and encapsulate them, so on the surface, people only have to drag or drop necessary components.  That is how a visual integrated development environment works. On top of that, the no-code technology also includes a model-based testing tool, so users can examine what they created and then deploy it. 

No-code platforms enable you to develop mobile and web applications, front-end (public part of the website, everything that the browser sees and shows on the screen), and back-end solutions (for instance, server software). In simple terms, one can generate applications or websites for various purposes, such as invoice processing or KPI monitoring platforms, apps for restaurant reservations and shopping online, workflow management tools, document approval platforms, HR management systems, etc. 

Also, no-code is not limited only to software development. For example, the fastest growth in Cloud Computing is due to the development of tools that allow engineers to create servers in just a few seconds, using Infrastructure as Code Tools. Initially, those tools provide features where it’s possible to build any infrastructure component using a few lines of code. Nowadays, it’s already possible to use drag-and-drop to design diagrams where we can define computers, networks, and storage. Behind the scenes, the tools generate the code for engineers, which they use to deploy your infrastructure and applications.

The no-code sphere is gaining popularity because specialists’ needs from different spheres outpace the IT departments’ capacities to generate and deploy products. Certain spheres are developing so fast that programming experts can’t always meet the requirements on time. Therefore, applying no-code solutions & invoice processing will boost business productivity and enhance its agility. 

As we mentioned, one of the most prominent no-code features is a drag-and-drop structure. The platform looks like a construction set. Building a logical sequence of functions doesn’t require much experience. On top, a developer can test the effectiveness of the created app on the spot. The majority of no-code platforms allow users to connect with the necessary database. They usually have a database in the default configuration too. No-code platforms also include data management and processing features. Since many businesses are searching the ways for smoother connectivity between applications, no-code platforms try to solve this problem and offer integration modes with other software. Thus, companies can upgrade and automate many processes in no time. Apps created on no-code platforms enable users to easily integrate with all possible kinds of web applications. It spares time and money and increases the effectiveness of the created product. Since the future is here, no-code platforms don’t stay away from AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning). You can find inbuilt or integration-provided tools to connect with ML and AI techniques. They help predict what actions the user may take and how to assure that the development process is efficient. 

These platforms don’t require much previous experience in coding. At first sight, no-code technology seems to be a solution to all possible problems and the end of programming languages. However, just as any other invention, no-code has pros and cons. In this article, we will shed light on its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of no-code development:

More flexibility

As we mentioned before, no-code methods require little to no experience. By dragging and dropping necessary features, one can create an application fast and easy. Testing also doesn’t take much time. You soon have a final product ready to solve the problems you face. 

Low price

No-code platforms offer cost-effective solutions. Some of them don’t require any previous coding experience and thus, spare money on hiring an IT specialist. For sure, developers and other technically skilled people remain in high demand, since they work on tools for no-code platforms and broaden the spectrum of benefits these technologies give users. However, to fix tasks of average complexity, companies could involve fewer resources. Compared to traditional coding, the modular environment of no-code platforms offers faster and easy to integrate solutions. 

Higher productivity

Flexible functionality and short time of app creation boost company productivity. One of the central problems of classic coding was the problem of altering the code itself. Nowadays, this problem is way easier to tackle. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that just as any technology, no-code has its drawbacks. 

Cons of no-code development:

Limits

Unfortunately, a no-code platform may not always meet your requirements. It has some limitations when it comes to customizing apps. Therefore, if your business inquiry is more sophisticated, we would recommend addressing coding specialists. No-code platforms are rapidly changing and improving. However, they can’t substitute classic coding technologies yet. 

Security threats

One of the most worrying things about no-code platforms is the lack of control. If the platforms get hacked, all applications created there might also be subjected to some illegal alterations. The elements of the no-code technology don’t belong to the company providing this service. Therefore, the question if the application is safe is still on the table. Another crucial issue is data storage. Although no-code platforms are constantly developing their integration capacities, problems still occur often. The data collected by such applications can disappear or get stored in an inappropriate way. 

As we see, no-code technology is a promising trend in the IT world. It offers viable solutions and spares time and money for companies. The no-code environment is friendly to users without huge coding experience. However, there are also drawbacks one should keep in mind. For example, data storage and protection issues remain one of the most worrying. On top, despite its booming, no-code technologies still can offer limited solutions. Therefore, you can’t use them for advanced tasks. If no-code is not the right solution perhaps you can learn to code and build your own solution. A platform like Codester offers 1000’s of scripts, app templates, and source code, which can be a great resource to get started with web development.