10 Common Low Code Myths & Misconceptions

There are myths regarding all industries in the modern market, and most of these are generated from a mix of a variety of opinions that can often lead to misconceptions. Of course, the low-code industry has its own fair share of myths surrounding it as well.

What’s worse is that most of these myths often paint the entire scene of low-code development in a negative light. So why now look at the top 10 low code myths today, and understand how low code development is way better than it seems to most?

Myth #1: Low Code Is Only For Simple Apps

Since low code minimizes the effort required for application development, most take it as an inability of the platform rather than its specialty. That’s where this myth comes from.

But in reality, low code platforms are not just for creating simple applications with limited capability and functionalities. Platforms like Mendix can create enterprise-level applications and complex system infrastructures with the help of low code.

Modern low-code platforms also come with a wide range of tools that allow you to create applications with relative ease through visual development. This visual development method can be used to create:

• Data models
• Business processes
• Rest API
• WSS Endpoints

Low code platforms are not just about limiting the staring related to manual coding. Modern low-code platforms are highly versatile and offer enough support to cover a wide range of development, from an effective prototype to feature-rich custom applications and systems made to suit specific needs.

Myth #2: Low Code, Low Quality

When you notice that one of the priorities of low-code platforms is to deliver “high-quality applications”, you know for a fact this claim stands no ground.

Low-code platforms address the immediate requirements and concerns of the end-user by delivering quality applications with minimal effort, budget, and technical debt. This results in a great application with clean source code that is well-structured and maintainable.

With clean sources, it’s easier for the developers to focus on delivering better value through the application rather than managing complex code dependencies.

Low-code platforms frequently utilize reusable components, and all of these components are designed with the best industry practices in consideration.

These high-quality resources help the developers create a high-quality application that adheres to the best industry standards with low internal errors and vulnerabilities.

Myth #3: Only Non-Developers Can Work With Low Code

Low code platforms offer a visual development method for non-technical personnel and other stakeholders to be able to participate in the development process. But that doesn’t mean it’s only for non-developers.

While a citizen developer with no prior coding expertise can create a decent low-code application with some effort, the platform also offers enough tools and functionalities that require additional programming expertise to operate them.

When creating more complex applications with a lot more features and better functionality, professional developers can create custom codes to integrate new features or APIs or integrate the newly developed application into an existing system for an upgrade.

But to achieve success from these processes, you must possess advanced knowledge about programming so you can tweak the system the right way with the help of low code tools offered by the platform.

Myth #4: Low Code Can’t Handle Complex Business Logic

Another myth generated from the idea is that low code can’t handle complexity in general since it’s only for simple apps that are dependent on pre-built components. The reality is quite the opposite.

Low code has become the primary choice for many organizations to create complex systems. Since low code means more visual development and fewer lines of code, maintaining the source codes of the infrastructure of an entire organizational system is much easier.

Low-code platforms, while offering a ton of pre-built components, also offer complete customization for each of the components. Meaning, there are tons of options to create and integrate complex business logic.

Myth #5: Low Code Means Low Creativity

Low code development mostly relies on pre-built elements and visual development, and many believe that these pre-built elements limit creativity. This is completely inaccurate.

Low code can foster productivity within developers by providing an easy-to-navigate foundation while providing ample room for complete customization.

Power of Abstraction

While low-code platforms offer pre-built frameworks, these aren’t restricted to a predefined set of functionalities. The frameworks present a layer of abstraction that simplifies the coding process for developers.

With abstract frameworks, it’s easier for the developers to focus more on the logical and business requirements of the application.

When complex algorithms are presented in a more convenient way through abstraction, it allows citizen developers to participate in the development process.

Customization Flexibility

Low code doesn’t simply offer a one-size-fits-all approach, though the reliance on pre-built elements of a low code platform may evoke that idea.

Each pre-built element that can be accessed through a low-code development platform is completely customizable. The ability to customize each element to fit the exact needs and vision of the developer allows for unique application creation where everyone can give a software form to their unique visions.

Collaborative Development

A collaborative environment is the best for bringing creativity out of each participant, and low-code platforms are a great medium for better collaboration.

Low code platforms allow for visual programming that offers non-technical personnel a chance to join the development process along with professional developers, helping to bring the unique expertise of both sides together.

Low code platforms also offer real-time collaboration that allows for seamless collaboration and near-instant feedback loops that reduce development time as well as time-to-market.

Myth #6: Low Code Isn’t Secure Enough

Traditional software development methods can create applications with good security. Many still believe that it’s the only way to create secure applications since low-code software isn’t very secure.

Low-code platforms prioritize security just like any other software development method. Platforms like Mendix come with their own set of security features.

The prebuilt components are fully compliant with local and international security practices, which helps in creating a complete app with the right security measures.

Security measures in high-performance low-code platforms like Mendix include:

• Data Encryption Methods
• Role-Based Access Control
• User Authentication

With low code development and its pre-built security features, both citizen and professional developers can create applications that are fully compliant with all security regulations, sparing developers the time to implement security features manually.

While low code platforms offer just as much security as traditional software, sometimes even more, it’s up to the developers and end users to stay vigilant throughout the development process and usage to maintain complete system security.

Myth #7: Low Code Solutions Don’t Offer Scalability

Though it could be said about old-fashioned low-code platforms during the inception of the platform, modern low-code development highly focuses on scalability.

Requirements of the modern software market are constantly changing, and no application can sustain its presence in the market long enough without proper scalability to adapt to the ever-changing demands.

Contrary to popular belief, low-code can offer higher scalability since it’s easier to create an updated infrastructure with low-code development. Low-code platforms also offer easy integration with all modern existing systems, allowing for easier upgrades.

Myth #8: Low Code Platforms Cause Vendor Lock-In Everytime

Vendor lock-in is the occurrence where a company cannot access the source code created in a certain low-code platform, and is forced to continue its operations with said platform, since inability to access the source code means the company cannot migrate to other better platforms.

This is a justifiable fear that all business owners have, but this is not the case with every single low-code platform, as they all claim it to be.

A well-designed low-code development platform with a transparent business model will always allow its clients to access their source code, so they can modify it or migrate it at their own will, so vendor lock-in can never take place.

High-performance low-code platforms like Mendix can allow its users to access their project source code at any time, and allow complete right over the code.

There are many low-code platforms out there, and it’s up to you to choose the right platform so you don’t become a vendor lock-in later down the line.

Myth #9: Low Code Doesn’t Utilize The Latest Tech On the Market

This statement is completely inaccurate since one of the core concepts of low code development platforms is to enable easier integration with all available latest tech stacks to utilize their complete functionality to give the client a competitive advantage.

Low code development platforms are designed to make the most of all the latest tech stacks so that all applications and utilities created by the platforms can be compatible with all modern system infrastructure.

Myth #10: Low Code Apps Are Forgotten As Fast As They’re Built

Low-code applications are seen as cheap and quick solutions that are built in a hurry by traditional software developers. As a result, they don’t have a long-lasting impact and these are apps that will quickly be forgotten.

The fact that low-code software development has become mainstream solidifies the presence of each application created with low-code development platforms.

Low code has become so popular that even government projects and major industries are now adapting to low code, and are continuously leaving a positive impact on the industry through their accessibility.

To Wrap It All Up

All industries have their fair share of misconceptions, but being knowledgeable can help you stay away from these myths and help you make the right decision for your upcoming project.

Hope our top 10 list helps you understand the underlying benefits of low code. If you’re planning to create your next project with a trustworthy partner, consider partnering with Impala Intech today to get started.

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