Low Code/No Code for the Traditional Developer: An Introduction

Low code and no code platforms are created based on model-driven design, visual programming, and automatic code generation. Here is a closer look at these principles in action.

Model-driven design uses platform-independent models instead of structured traditional programming to serve as an abstraction layer to simplify programming. Focused on adding forms, views, and charts to an app using an app designer tool like Microsoft power apps. It emphasizes construction of a software model that specifies how the system should work before code is generated. There are key advantages in productivity due to simplified design. Abstraction is very essential with model-driven design.

Most programming as we know it is text based. Commands are delivered through text instructions typed by the programmer. Eventually, there came from a need for easier, more accessible methods for programming and interacting with computers. Visual programming uses graphics and images, rather than purely text to build out computing logic and communicate with other computer programs. 

Some early examples include Pygmalion, GRaIL (Graphical Input Language), Apple Hypercard and Microsoft Visual basic.  What these programs aimed to accomplish was text based programming combined with a visual programming environment to make coding easier. Visual programming has existed for decades, but also has evolved drastically. The power of visual programming based apps has been debated, but the gap is closing. Complex logic and workflows weren’t supported in the beginning. Instead of seeing visual programming and traditional programming as opposites, but really they are better thought of as a spectrum At one end, traditional programming can be thought of as the most complicated, customizable option. A programmer must be fluent in a language to build with it. With these features comes a longer development timeline. Visual programming is more intuitive and faster. Modern versions often have drag and drop interface, limited options, but a much shorter development timeline. Some examples of the modern visual programming tools are https://scratch.edu and https://bubble.io   These tools are becoming more popular with companies to shorten development and maintenance time, depending on the size and depth of the project. 

Still, underneath it all, the human readable instructions are translated into machine instructions 

Automatic Code generation is defined as generating code from a design or model, without manual input. Automatic code generation accelerates the coding process, reduces errors, and allows for traceability links to be automatically generated. Automatic code generation includes tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini.

Tools to Help You Get Started

Bubble is a well popular web builder with extensive support. Some features include drag and drop interface, an inbuilt user management system, data storage and customizable privacy rules. 

Webflow is another website building platform. It is well known for it’s visual development tools, customizable HTML, CSS, and JS and content management system. 

Scratch is a popular teaching tool for children and teenagers. It uses event driven programming and visual programming to create interactive stories, games, and animations. Features include stage, sprites, script, and programming palette.

Great Usages for Developers

• Productivity Tools

  • Productivity Trackers 

• Task Automation

  • Recommendation List generator

• RSS/Social Feeds 

  • Plug-ins available for integration for most social media platforms 

• AI Integrations