For readers in a hurry
- Low-code and no-code platforms make it easier for software developers to implement applications. However, they still require a sound understanding of databases, business logic, interfaces, user interfaces, security, operations, architecture, and error analysis.
- Every low-code/no-code platform generates classic source code in the background for professionals, even if the application composition is largely graphical. If you want to create sophisticated applications or face errors, professional know-how is indispensable for troubleshooting.
- Every software development tool uses—or will use—low-code elements in the future, provided it doesn't rely on AI-generated source code to increase developer productivity. For user interfaces and database management, graphical development tools are invariably more intuitive.
- The simpler the platforms make development, the more limited their current range of functions and the higher the lock-in effect. Especially for private equity-backed firms, they must sooner or later squeeze their customers to realize the expected returns.
A tip for trying it out
If you want to develop appealing application interfaces and are looking for a modern, feature-rich platform, you should take a closer look at FlutterFlow. It allows software developers to create attractive user interfaces for all devices and connect them with backend functionality. Unlike Flutter, FlutterFlow offers numerous low-code-based accelerations and pre-built elements.
Oracle APEX for a quick win
The low-code market is facing major upheaval. Leading providers like OutSystems and Mendix have fallen out of focus for IT companies due to developments around AI and OpenAI. Furthermore, their pricing models are not convincing—too expensive for entry, too opaque for scaling applications.
Oracle APEX takes a different approach here. You license computing power, i.e., CPU, RAM, and storage. If an application is used sparingly, you pay less; if the application is used heavily or becomes very large, you pay more. That is understandable.
The current disadvantage is that Oracle APEX requires a relatively large amount of PL/SQL code and JavaScript to implement complex backend and frontend logic. OutSystems and Mendix are significantly more graphical in this regard.
Nevertheless, powerful and visually appealing applications can be realized with Oracle APEX in a short time without having to get lost in the depths of jQuery, Angular, Vue, or React.
A Babylonian confusion of languages
In an international environment, many applications must be adapted for a multitude of languages. UTF-8 has since become the standard character encoding, ensuring that accented characters are displayed correctly. That’s the theory, at least!
The relevant question is: Can you rely on it? The short answer: Unfortunately, no.
It happens that a German text suddenly becomes an ISO-8859-1 encoded text that the target application cannot read. Now, you have to find the root cause. And this is precisely where deep expertise is required. Low-code or no-code notwithstanding.
A lot of work that requires concentration and, above all, competence.
Why is this important?
Low-code sounds great as long as the use case is simple and no problems arise. As soon as the application is deployed in complex environments with many peripheral systems and numerous stakeholders, a low-code platform can only succeed if it is used by professionals.
Reliability
When choosing a software development platform, the reliability of the provider must also be checked. While technical evaluation is usually quite successful, assessing the economic and organizational reliability of low-code providers is not so simple.
Almost every US startup is private equity-financed and has thus become a vehicle for hopeful cashing out.
This is where the wheat is separated from the chaff.
The golden rule
He who has the gold makes the rules. In our case, that is the customer. The answer is quite simple: Choose an alternative if the economic fundamentals don't add up:
- Is the pricing model transparent and understandable?
- Does the sales team or the provider have high turnover?
- Is the licensing model changed regularly?
- Does management talk incessantly about a planned IPO or M&A?
- Is the product roadmap unclear or opaque?
- Is customer service "on the ball" or sluggish?
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
Time works against the gamblers
Those who sit on a high horse will eventually fall, and it will be painful. Arrogant management usually overlooks technical substitutes: Artificial Intelligence, especially Large Language Models.
Software development is always language-based. Even low-code platforms convert their graphically created programs into high-level languages before compiling them into machine-readable form.
With OpenAI's Codex and additional extensions like GitHub Copilot, AI is suddenly accelerating classic software development enormously:
- Unit tests are created automatically
- Troubleshooting is performed
- Source code is documented automatically
- Entire functional blocks are written as if by magic
This raises the question: Why do I need a low-code platform if I need competent developers for sophisticated applications anyway?
The next 2 to 3 years will show us the way.
Late remorse, will everything be okay?
Will low-code providers reflect on their position in the software development cosmos? We are curious! Does this mean low-code platforms should be avoided?
No, not at all! If you are aware of their situation and behavior, you can take that into account in your negotiations. If you cannot reach a satisfactory solution, you choose another path.
For this reason, we use several low-code platforms in parallel and check before every project which platform is suitable not only technically but also economically.
Never put all your eggs in one basket.
