What is no-code development?

The terms low-code and no-code are sometimes used interchangeably in business. But the reality is that they represent two different approaches to application development.

Although similar in purpose to the more widely-used low-code approach, no-code development actually takes things a step further. Low-code development is designed to provide easy-to-use coding solutions, allowing less-technically trained users to work within a platform, using pre-built templates and drag-and-drop elements to rapidly develop custom applications. It allows them to get a head start on projects by configuring settings and leveraging pre-built components, instead of needing to build everything from scratch using code. Junior-level developers and business analysts are also able to take advantage by contributing more to projects than they would otherwise be able to.

However, at some point it does require some limited knowledge of coding to ensure full functionality. Low-code still provides a number of advantages over hand coding, such as shortcuts that take developers past the framework and testing phases, and directly into building the app. But at the end of the day, someone with at least a basic understanding of coding will need to polish up and finalise the project.

No-code is exactly what it claims to be: a development approach for people with absolutely no coding experience. It goes beyond simply providing shortcuts, and instead uses declarative programming to build applications based on user inputs. In other words, no-code development allows you to skip coding entirely, telling the system what you need, and then allowing the system to build the application itself.

Like low-code, a no-code platform will likely also include pre-built functionality in the form of drag-and-drop tools and a highly-visual, user-friendly interface, but the major difference is that it allows users to build apps from start to finish, without ever having to implement a single line of code. No-code is all about the citizen developer being able to create simple but effective apps on their own to automate more of the business. No-code is about configuration over code.

Essentially, low-code targets developers, while no-code targets business users.

While no-code development has the capacity to change nearly every aspect of business, it most directly affects three specific groups:

No-code provides citizen developers with a simple and intuitive environment in which to build applications. Using guided templates and pre-built assets, non-technical professionals can design the applications they need. They can also easily revisit applications to implement important changes, without having to involve busy IT or development teams.

No-code may seem like an attempt to cut IT out of the app-development loop, but that’s simply not the case. In fact, no-code development empowers IT with the ability to easily conduct health checks and enforce guardrails on the development process. IT has to deploy and manage apps created across the enterprise. With less complexity, which is characteristic of a no code platform, IT can more easily gain end-to-end visibility into how apps are performing and any operational impacts or disruptions they may be contributing.

When citizen developers are able to build their own apps, what does that leave for professional developers to do? Experienced developers can turn their attention away from traditional app building, and instead dedicate more of their time towards building high-value components.

The advantages offered by no-code make it an ideal solution for a range of use cases:

New businesses without the resources or demand to establish a development department can remain competitive by creating viable products on limited funding.

Emergent market gaps require fast action. Organisations who want to take advantage of emergent situations can use no-code development to help establish themselves in the market quickly.

Not every application needs to be fully polished and ready for the public. When you need a prototype to help demonstrate a particular concept or test out a product-market fit, no-code development is a fast and reliable solution.

In all likelihood, the people within your organisation have demonstrated a range of talents, skills and expertise. Share that knowledge across your company. No-code for knowledge management means that anyone can optimise workflows and business processes based on their own experiences.