Low-Code vs. Programming – It Isn’t an Either/Or Decision

LOW-CODE
VS. TRADITIONAL PROGRAMMING

Low-code application development platforms have been gaining
momentum in recent years.
Many conversations are centered around how they can
supplement traditional programming for the creation
of enterprise apps.
The hype around low-code has led to some perception that
low-code exists in order to replace traditional coding.
However, businesses can often get considerable value
out of low-code when they mix and match the emerging
methodology with more traditional programming.

•• Build the majority of the app in a low-code
platform to establish the core functionality and
having programmers add in specialized functions.
•• Democratize app creation through citizen
development and allow programmers to spend
more time on mission-critical legacy
apps or similar solutions that historically
required the development team’s attention.
TRADITIONALLOW-CODE
When Low-Code and Traditional
Programming Work Together
Businesses can often get considerable value
out of low-code when they mix and match the
emerging methodology with more traditional
programming, and:

These are just a couple of ways to use low-code
and traditional programming in tandem
with one another.
What is key to keep in mind here is that they
both touch on the micro and macro
levels of development.

Deciding between low-code and programming isn’t an either/or decision.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the core differences
between low-code and programming.
At the Micro Level
For specific projects, organizations can use low-code and
manual coding side by side.
Developers can spend most of their time on unique and
complex functions while the low-code platform lets them
create the core app quickly and easily.
At the Macro Level
Blending low-code and traditional programming can
help organizations maximize their internal development
resources.
Either way, finding success blending the two
methodologies hinges on understanding where they
diverge.

Organizations determining app
requirements must carefully consider what
operating system they want to focus on in
the development project.
This is one area where low-code
platforms and traditional programming
are especially different.
TRADITIONALLOW-CODE
Low-Code vs. Programming

Most programming languages are designed
for specific use environments, meaning they
will function very differently on various
operating systems.
Organizations that want to prioritize an
iOS user base may choose a vastly different
language than for Windows.
TRADI
TION
AL
Project Startup:
Traditional Programming

This issue is even further muddled when
considering different device formats.
Each operating system presents slightly different
considerations between desktop and mobile
computing systems.
Organizations may need to use more neutral
languages and write separate code for the parts
of the app that require unique functionality.
There is a great deal of work to be done
duplicating core functions across different
operating system environments.

The visual interfaces in a low-code platform are
backed by pre-built modules designed to work
in a variety of operating system environments.
It is much easier to quickly adapt an app to
different operating systems and devices using
low-code platforms. LOW
CO
DE
Project Startup:
Low-Code Platforms

While this may seem like something that could limit
functionality to fairly simple apps, leading platforms
have pushed forward into allowing for native app
development using low-code tools.
When it comes to adapting to device and operating
system diversity, low-code has a major edge.

App deployment is traditionally an extremely
complex process, with each line of code needing
to be tested in a lab environment before rolling
the solution into production.
The incredible variety in the programming
creates inherent complexity and makes it
extremely time-consuming to get apps
into production.
Application Deployment:

With a low-code platform, the pre-built modules
are tested for functionality prior to their release
into the platform.
The development environment resides in a cloud
ecosystem that also covers the production
environment that will host the app.
This allows for much simpler
deployment and testing.
Application Deployment: Low-Code

Like the operating system decision, using a
traditional programming setup creates a variety
of maintenance and updating challenges.
Over time, apps become legacy solutions as
operating systems evolve, and special attention
becomes necessary to keep the apps running
smoothly.
Low-Code vs. Programming in
App Maintenance

If technical requirements for hardware change a year after
your app is released, new code is necessary.
If users want a feature added to the system, you’ll have
to get the programmers to work.
If the data center configuration causes something
in the code to act differently, manual changes
become necessary.
LOW-CODE TRADITIONAL LOW-CODE

All of this goes away with low-code platforms.
The modular components of the visual development
interface are managed in the backend by the
platform provider.
This frees organizations to focus on
the design of the app and make small,
quick tweaks as necessary over time.
Application Maintenance:

Low-code platforms seem vastly superior to traditional
programming, and in some ways, they are.
Low-code platforms take many old ideas to improve
development and refine them into a groundbreaking
system that offers considerable potential.
However, the flexibility and freedom of traditional
programming shouldn’t be overlooked.
Using Low-Code to Supplement
Programming

Businesses should value what their developers have
to offer and use low-code platforms to maximize their
internal development resources.
By streamlining most app creation processes, skilled
programmers are free to create the nuanced
code they specialize in.
In the end, low-code vs. programming isn’t an either/
or decision, it’s an opportunity to use two strategies
in tandem to drive innovation.
TRADITIONALLOW-CODE

Learn More
appian.com/blog www.appian.com/low-code

Low-Code vs. Programming – It Isn’t an Either/Or Decision

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Low-Code vs. Programming – It Isn’t an Either/Or Decision