The use of low-code development is increasing at a brisk pace. The pandemic has been vital in boosting low-code platforms’ popularity. According to a Gartner report, the revenue from low-code development technologies increased over 50% between 2019 and 2021, from $9.1 billion to $13.8 billion. Software developers may feel as though this technology is replacing them, but that is far from the truth. This guide explains why low-code technology empowers classic developers, without replacing them.

What is Low-Code Development?

Low-code development helps build applications using little to no code. You can use a visual interface with a drag-and-drop interface. Users can develop mobile and desktop applications without knowing any advanced programming languages. Additionally, they’re a low-cost and simple alternative to traditional software development methods, making them a popular choice.

Can Low-Code Development Replace Classic Software Developers?

As a software developer, it’s natural to think low code might make your skills less valuable. If your clients or employer has a faster, cheaper option to achieve the same outcomes, they must prefer that option over you, correct? Not quite.

Sure, low-code development platforms make developing applications easier. In fact, according to Gartner, non-technology professionals will build 80% of technology products and services by 2024. However, saying they can replace developers wouldn’t be appropriate. On the contrary, 41% of developers responded in a survey that they use low-code development for over 50% of the apps their business uses. Low-code technology offers ample value to today’s agile developers. It makes their job easier and allows them to work more efficiently. However, currently, low-code development is also far from perfect. Even as it becomes more efficient, it can’t replace various skills developers possess.

Limitations and Benefits of Low-Code Development

Low-code development has various drawbacks, at least in its current stage in the overall evolution. Below, we discuss the most common pros and cons of low-code development.

Pros of Low-Code Development

1. Reduces Costs - The most apparent benefit of low-code development is that it costs less. Developers are expensive, and low code can help get by without hiring one. The person building the application can spend less and create apps to go to market quickly.
2. Efficient Development - Low code helps build apps faster. Instead of writing thousands of lines of code, you can simply drag and drop interface elements using pre-built modules. Also, the low-code platform typically automatically tests the application. This helps reduce the time to completion significantly.
3. Improved Productivity - According to McKinsey, companies with the best tools can achieve developer velocity. Using low-code development, a business’s IT team won’t be inundated with requests from multiple departments because they can process requests faster. Fewer team members will need to wait for IT to get to their request. Instead of weeks, low code can help complete requests within a few hours.

Cons of Low-Code Development

1. Lacks Flexibility - Low code derives the code from the platform’s built-in functionality and plugins. Often, the platform might not provide the functionality you want to include in your application. You also can’t tailor the application to your needs with low code. You’ll need help from a developer to tweak parts of the application to your liking.
2. Vendor Dependency - As a business owner keeps building the application using a specific low-code platform, they’ll find switching to another platform difficult. The costs and resource-intensiveness of migrating to a different platform might discourage migrating altogether, limiting the business owner to one platform’s capabilities.
3. Security Concerns - Low-code technology users are heavily dependent on the platform. The low-code platform monitors and addresses all security loopholes, which means you'll no longer be protected should the platform go out of business. Fixing vulnerabilities and migrating code can be a massive challenge for someone who doesn’t know how to code.

Why Low-Code Can’t Replace Software Developers

While low code can build complete applications, it can be lacking on many fronts. Thus, it can’t entirely replace developers. It also can’t make someone with zero coding skills capable of developing more complex applications overnight.

Put yourself in your client or employer’s shoes and think about the following arguments on why low-code can’t replace you:

1. Can’t Handle Complex Workflows - Low code can create a straightforward application just fine. However, it isn’t great at creating complex workflows in an application. For example, building a simple web app is pretty easy using no code. You can add all the basic functionalities to a web app, such as user profiles, discount codes, and third-party integrations. Someone with zero coding knowledge can easily create a web app with a few basic changes using a low-code platform in a week or two. However, websites with complex UX or UI need a professional developer. Low code can’t handle the level of complexity required by larger businesses. They need help from an expert developer who can ensure consistency in branding and create excellent UX and UI.
2. Limited Functionality - The original idea behind low-code platforms was to equip those with zero coding knowledge to build applications with little help. This means that low-code platforms offer limited, out-of-the-box functionalities. A user’s capabilities are limited to those offered by the platform when using low code. While this simplifies the app-building process, it restricts users from getting creative with their applications. That’s where professional developers can help. Software developers have the knowledge needed to build custom features and functionalities for applications that low-code platforms don’t offer. They can also tweak existing low-code functionalities to align more closely with your needs. So even though a company might be able to put together a basic crypto exchange using a low-code platform, they’ll need to outsource backend development at some point to support growth or offer better functionality to users.
3. Security Issues - According to an Outsystems report, 25% of companies cited security concerns as a reason for not using low code. Low-code development comes with a lack of control. Not knowing your application in its entirety can make it vulnerable to several security and reliability risks. The most critical risk is the platform getting acquired or liquidated. However, there are other risks – one being an internal security breach – to take into account. Custom development lacks these risks because you’ll have complete control. You can select your technology stack and use reliable hosts and other services to minimize the risk for your application.
4. Difficult-to-Maintain Code - Should an application built with low code become popular and grow, users might consider bringing the code off its original platform. The problem? Low-code platforms make it horribly painful to switch. Migrating the code incurs massive costs that can deter many companies. However, the costs are only the tip of the iceberg. Assuming the low-code platform allows access to the source code, you’ll see what appears to be a maze of intertwined code that’s a headache to maintain. Add the lack of documentation to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for expensive, resource-heavy code maintenance. When working with low-code platforms, users and businesses rely on developers to make sense of the code. Beyond that, they also need the developers’ skillset when migrating code off of the initial platform.

Low-Code Development: Integral Part of the Future of Software Development

The U.S. has over 500,000 computer science job openings, which are expected to grow at twice the rate of other jobs. This is to say, low code does not threaten your career. If anything, low-code tools offer more of an opportunity to developers. Sure, low-code platforms can help users build applications from scratch without help from a software developer. However, software developers can use this to their advantage by offering more niche services. Undoubtedly, users will still need an in-house developer or the ability to outsource software development in order to sustain product continuity.