No-code development platform

The idea of no code started in the early 80s. James Martin, an English information technology consultant and author, was one of the first to mention no-code in his book “Application Development Without Programmers”[5]

The number of programmers available per computer is shrinking so fast that most computers in the future must be put to work at least in part without programmers. [6]

This was the origin of the no-code development revolution. By the early 2000s, WordPress had stepped up to the plate and released the first platform specifically designed to allow users to build entire websites without any coding experience. Now, WordPress has contributed to the development of 43.2% of all websites on the internet.[7]

This game-changing technology opened up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing people to build websites without the need for developers or coding. The impact of this new platform was immense, and it set the stage for a world of no-code development that continues to grow and evolve today.

NCDPs are used to meet the needs of companies that are seeking to digitize processes through cloud-based mobile applications. No-code tools are often designed with line of business users in mind as opposed to traditional IT. This shift in focus is meant to help accelerate the development cycle by bypassing traditional IT development constraints of time, money, and scarce software development human capital resources to allow teams to align their business strategy with a rapid development process.[8] NCDPs also often leverage enterprise-scale APIs and web service catalogs, open data sets, and tested and proven template galleries, to help integrate existing business systems while adding a practical layer of user functionality.[9]

The transition from traditional enterprise software to a lean development methodology is also changing the role of traditional IT leaders and departments. Whereas IT once provided not only approval of new technology but procurement and development of new tools, IT's role is now increasingly one of governance over line of business who develop niche tools for their work stream.[10]

The potential benefits of utilizing a NCDP include:

• Access - By 2018, it has been estimated that over half of all B2E (business-to-employee) mobile apps would be created by enterprise business analysts using codeless tools. This ongoing shift is increasing the number of potential app creators from individuals with coding skills to anyone with internet access and functional business acumen.[11]
• Agility - NCDPs typically provide some degree of templated user-interface and user experience functionality for common needs such as forms, workflows, and data display allowing creators to expedite parts of the app creation process.[12]
• Richness - NCDPs which at one point were limited to more basic application functions increasingly provide a level of feature-richness and integrations that allows users to design, develop, and deploy apps that meet specific business needs.[13]
• Automation - The common worker is becoming busier and working longer hours on average and with the proliferation of low code software tools and more access to business APIs, there is a clear opportunity for workers to automate their current tasks using these new no-code development platforms.[14]

• Quick Adaptation and Flexibility - As no-code tools offer pre-made features and components, it is easy for developers to quickly adapt and add new features according to changing market needs. This makes it much simpler for developers to keep up with the digital evolution and stay ahead of the competition.[15]

• Cost-effective - Unlike coding, no-code development for either websites or applications doesn't require great amounts of money or time. It usually depends only on a single person and not necessarily on a large team of developers. Furthermore, many platforms offer no-code development solutions at an affordable price. This allows users to create their own websites or applications quickly and easily, without having to invest too much money or time into the development process.[16]

• Fast Maintenance - No-code development also offers the benefit of fast maintenance. Platforms used to create applications can be easily updated with new features and bug fixes, allowing businesses to quickly address any issues that may arise.

The potential limitations of utilizing a NCDP include:

• Limited Scalability - As advanced as no-code development is, it still has limited scalability. This means that apps and websites developed by no-code platforms can fall behind when the user base or usage increases. In such cases, the app or website can run into problems and not function properly, as it may not be able to cope with the ever-growing demand. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the scalability of the no-code platform when creating an app or website.

• Limited Customization - No-code development, while having advantages in terms of speed and cost, may be limited in terms of customization. Because the development is based on pre-made features and components, this can leave developers with merely a fraction of the choices they would have when creating a custom-coded application or website.[17]

Some writers[18] raise concerns over platform security, particularly for apps that handle consumer data. Proponents of NCDP claim that custom code is often a greater security risk than platform code which has been validated by its consistent use across multiple applications.[19] No-code solutions allow platforms to hide what happens behind the scenes from users, allowing users to change or modify a field while mitigating certain errors which could compromise security.[20][21]

No/low-code platforms may also offer some of the following security features:[22]

• Platform security audits and compliance.[23]
• Single sign on and authentication.
• Platform access control.
• Application access control and audits.
• Secure code using plugins.
• Secure API endpoints.

• Airtable
• Appery.io
• AppSheet Google
• Betty Blocks
• Buildbox
• Bubble
• Caspio
• Coda.io
• Creatio
• DronaHQ Studio
• FileMaker
• Graphlinq Protocol
• HyperCard
• IFTTT
• Jam.py
• Makerpad
• monday.com
• Podio
• PWCT
• QuickBase, Inc.
• Salesforce Lightning Platform
• Shopify
• Silex website builder
• Softr
• Unqork
• Webflow
• Wix.com
• WordPress
• Zapier
• nandbox

• Flow-based programming
• List of online database creator apps
• Low-code development platforms
• Rapid application development
• Lean software development
• Platform as a service

• Pattani, Aneri (16 November 2016) "A coding revolution in the office cube sends message of change to IT". CNBC. Retrieved 15 November 2017.