How To Build an Application With a Low-code Development Tool

Simplifying application design with a Low-Code tool

Developing an application can be a complex, expensive and time-consuming task – and that’s before you’ve even managed to fully test and deploy it. And in today’s fast moving business world, it probably won’t be long until you need to iterate a new version, or even create a totally different solution. Customer expectations are extremely high, and users expect software to be delivered quickly and without fault.

Fortunately, a low-code development tool makes designing applications a simpler, faster, and more collaborative process. In this article, we’ll explore how you can build an application with low-code development tools, and why you might want to use low-code in the first place.

All about Low-Code and No-Code

A low-code development platform makes it possible to build applications in much shorter time frames, and without the usual dependency on multiple developers. Low-code platforms use visual programming as an alternative to complex coding languages, while also embedding a variety of different development tools under a single package.

Some low-code development platforms will also include no-code tools, lowering the skill threshold further, and offering a great resource for those unfamiliar with coding. Although more limited in scope, they can help get a project off the ground with minimal time investment.

When used together, low-code and no-code make it possible to rapidly build applications, and foster a collaborative development environment. Let’s break down how low-code works in practice.

How to build using Low-Code

Different low-code development platforms will all have their own interfaces and processes, but they do share a visual approach to development and some common design trends. These include drag and drop features, adaptable flow-charts, and a library of selectable tools and templates.

Within an integrated development environment (IDE) it is possible to start adding modules as you go, such as workflows, processes, business logic and data sources. It’s a quick and simple process to integrate key functionality, and then add front end features and themes later. Logic trees make an application’s execution transparent and adjustable, while different publishing options streamline the final testing and deployment stages. Post-deployment, it is possible to extend and scale an application on a platform, as well as adding and defining different user roles.

Thanks to template libraries and other reusable assets, it is unlikely that you will have to start from scratch every time you wish to create an application. In some use cases though, these templates alone may not be enough. Plant an App’s own development platform allows users to include their own code if they wish, allowing skilled developers to add functionality and differentiating features.

With low-code being such a visual process, it makes sense to see it in action. Watch this quick video of an application being built step-by-step in the Plant an App development platform.

Benefits of using a Low-Code development tool

There are a number of benefits for low-code application development. Two key examples stand out in particular though: increased speed and accessibility. By using smart interfaces and intuitive drag-and-drop functions, a streamlined approach to hand coding is provided. More comprehensive platforms also include a library of reusable tools and integrations, allowing for even faster and more agile development. 

The visual nature of a low-code platform enables ‘citizen developers’ (those developing applications without a formal coding background) to create their own software solutions. Low-code is therefore an ideal way of promoting self-efficiency amongst teams, as well as drawing from the skills and expertise of different people around the business.

Who can build using a Low-Code platform?

The quick answer: a lot more people than just developers. This can include the broad ‘citizen developer’ category, as well as other roles familiar with IT systems.

Low-code is often marketed as enabling practically anyone to build their own applications, but this claim should be qualified. While it is a much more accessible alternative to traditional coding, most low-code platforms do require some degree of IT literacy. Additionally, it is often developers who can maximize the potential of low-code platforms, supplementing modular tools with custom code to create more sophisticated applications. 

With that being said, low-code really does democratize development, making it a viable solution for a wider range of users and organizations. If you have a business need or idea, there’s a strong chance you can create a solution using low-code.

Is it high time tat you tried Low-Code? 

Low-code makes the development process as intuitive and seamless as possible, offering a high-speed alternative to the traditional coding route. Plant an App gives you a plethora of options when it comes to building applications, combining the power of low-code, no-code and custom code in one seamless development platform.

Ready to give it a try? The best way of learning more about low-code is by diving into the real thing. Hit the button below.