There is a lot of work that goes into making a blockchain, smart contracts, and decentralized applications (Dapps), thus it’s important to hire experts in the field. But that’s not always the case. You can save time and effort in some situations by using low-code platforms, which allow users with only basic programming knowledge to easily and rapidly build their own blockchain-based solutions.
In this piece, we’ll go over what Low-code is, how it varies from conventional software development and the advantages and disadvantages of using Low-code while creating blockchain-based applications.
What does low-code development entail?
Research firm Gartner claims that “Using declarative high-level programming abstractions like model-based and metadata-based programming languages, low-code application platforms (LCAPs) enable quick software creation, single-step deployment, execution, and administration. When compared to traditional application platforms, LCAP enhances performance through inter-vendor portability and also facilitates the development of interfaces, business logic, and data services.”
Low-code, or low-code development, is a method of making software with little to no knowledge of programming. Software dedicated development team to create technologies built by assembling functioning “blocks” from a predefined set of templates, much like LEGO bricks, rather than through traditional “high” programming, which involves writing code line by line.
There are many distinguishing characteristics of low-code solutions
Automate processes and build software with what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) drag-and-drop editors.
Tools for creating fully functional apps with little to no programming experience, including pre-built workflow templates, scripts, libraries, design elements, and user interface modification.
Compatibility and interoperability with other data-related services and platforms, as well as web services, web APIs, and database APIs.
The ability to swiftly and easily deploy your application thanks to access to a Low-code platform architecture.
What Makes Low-Code So Popular
The main, and maybe most crucial, the reason for Low-success codes is the pressing need to address the shortage of software developers. An overwhelming majority (80%) of U.S. management teams and 78% of their international counterparts are experiencing difficulties due to a lack of technical IT specialists, according to a survey by Global Knowledge. It is estimated that by 2030, the deficit of IT workers will reach 85.2 million, with the current shortage of programming labour in the world reaching 40 million.
Low-Code systems’ low price tag is a further incentive for their broad use. The software developer shortage in the United States and Europe has caused annual salaries to soar to an unprecedented $110,000. And because there will always be a need for highly trained professionals, their earnings will rise steadily over time.
Professional programmers’ laziness is a major factor in the rising interest in Low-Code. Gartner reports that 66 percent of LCP users are full-time programmers who use the tool to jot down an initial idea before returning to write the rest of the code by hand. This method typically yields better results than starting with a blank slate when developing an application. But that’s only the case for very straightforward endeavours.
Front- and back-end low-code
Consider these options if you want to create your own app with Low-Code.
Software with minimal code required for front-end development:
Web and mobile interface design. Templates, layouts, widgets, and design kits are all readily available in low-code platforms like OutSystems and Appian, which can speed up the design process for websites and mobile apps.
Makers of websites. WordPress and Shopify are two platforms that make it possible to set up a functional website for blogging, selling, showcasing, and other purposes in a matter of minutes without the need for coding or design expertise.
Making software for mobile devices. Appy Pie and AppSheet can be used to build a web service or mobile app, expand its features, and integrate it with third-party APIs.
Platforms that require little to no coding for back-end work:
Making APIs. As with other similar low-code platforms, such as Linx, you can use pre-built blocks for API generation to facilitate the integration of external services into your MVP.
Synchronization of data. Data from a variety of sources, including desktop software, mobile apps, and websites, may be extracted, analyzed, and visualized with the help of platforms like Integrate.io.
Create a business case. With Xano, Backendless, and other BaaS solutions, you may outsource server tasks, build sophisticated workflows, and modify your software’s business logic.
Containerization. Choreo is a Low-Code environment that allows you to easily deploy portable, lightweight executable files for your system.
Here are a few examples of Low-Code platforms that can be used to manage your own projects, such as the creation of blockchain-based systems.
Designing for the Blockchain with Low-Code
The blockchain sector is no exception to the rule that Low-Code can be utilized to develop new apps and solutions. And because both blockchain and Low-Code are great for systematizing and automating many common activities in a variety of industries, from finance to supply chains, they make natural partners with an almost symbiotic relationship.
Although it was formerly impossible to make your own cryptocurrency or non-exchangeable token (NFT) without the help of a coder, this is no longer the case. Smart contracts may be made quickly and easily now, with pre-made templates available that include common algorithms and guidelines. Low-Code environments are proliferating.
Low-Code blockchain development is becoming increasingly popular, but there are limitations to this strategy.
Low-code blockchain development has the advantages of being both easy to use and implement. Researchers at Gartner predict that by 2025, more than half of Low-Code users would not be technical professionals but rather “citizen developers” with only a basic understanding of programming. Low-accessibility Code’s to non-technical professionals like marketers, business analysts, web designers, and entrepreneurs isn’t unexpected, given that they once had to hire pricey developers to put their ideas into action and get a product to market as soon as feasible.
Greater productivity. Instead of always having to rewrite the same code, low-code platforms recycle it. Additionally, this consists of not only basic scripting, but also advanced analytics features, A/B testing for efficiency optimization (performance, sales, marketing), monitoring, and integration with third-party services. This paves the way for the use of Low-Code in the development of bespoke solutions involving complicated business logic, such as blockchain-based applications for the insurance industry, GameFi, decentralized financial services, logistics, and advertising.
Costs associated with development are decreased. Low code has helped 84% of businesses cut costs, according to a recent poll. That makes sense given the reduced need for expensive professional developers, cloud computing specialists, testers, etc. Additionally, they won’t need to spend money on pricey infrastructure, development tools, cloud services, or subscriptions/licenses. As an added bonus, Low-Code tools make it easier and cheaper to build MVPs for use in proof-of-concept experiments.
It’s also important to note that most blockchain platform development low-code tools leverage the backend services of Ethereum, Tether, BSC, Cardano, Polkadot, and Polygon. The expense of keeping an application’s backend infrastructure running smoothly is lowered as a result.
Reduced time to market. Low-Code has helped 84% of businesses increase agility and decrease time to market since its introduction. According to QuickBase, 71% of civilian developers polled were able to enhance the development pace by at least 50% after just one year of using Low-Code solutions, and 62% of civilian developers (those with basic web development and programming expertise) need less than two weeks to build an app.
The ability to expand has been enhanced. With most Low-Code platforms, you can even deploy your own apps straight to their cloud infrastructures. This not only aids in lowering initial costs, but also allows you to rapidly achieve the desired level of scalability. If you do this, you can attract a much larger audience to your blockchain solution than you might have otherwise. This is why 65 percent of businesses choose for Low-Code platforms to store and process massive amounts of customer data.
decreased technical expenditures. Easy and rapid server process optimization is yet another perk of low-code solutions. Some low-code solutions, for instance, can be set to automatically upgrade to incorporate new features, optimize existing ones, fix bugs, and implement security patches. Simultaneously, all apps built on these low-code platforms reflect these changes instantly. That’s good news since it means your IT departments can save money on administrative costs and technical debt.
Intuitiveness in making adjustments. Do you now prefer a different layout or method of doing business? Not at all! You can modify the user interface, make a new landing page, add additional automation, and more with a few mouse clicks. You should upgrade your platform because you need a function that it does not now provide. Simply switch to a different service, sign up for an account, and familiarize yourself with its features. As a matter of fact, utilizing an integration service like Zapier, the two Low-code platforms can often be used together. And you don’t have to go through the hassle of hiring people, writing out comprehensive TORs, conducting sophisticated analyses, and making architectural judgments.
Low danger. Because of less time and money, even if what you generate doesn’t match the needs of your users (clients or teammates), it’s not a major concern. You haven’t lost millions of dollars and months of development – you can always start from zero.
Low-Code Development Costs and the Downsides of Blockchain (yes, once again). Over the long run, say between one and three years, you may find that something that was initially inexpensive has ballooned in price. Monthly fees for Low-Code solutions are typically based on some combination of the number of users, the amount of data transferred or used, or both. Within one to three years, these prices will surpass the cost of traditionally developing an application.
Inadequacies and compromises. When working with Low-Code technologies, you’re always going to be heavily constrained by the libraries of templates and pre-built solutions available to you. This could be the result of subpar performance for a required task, insufficient sorting or filtering options, a clumsy layout, improper picture optimization, etc. Each time, you’ll have to decide whether to settle for a less-than-ideal solution or craft a new bit of code from scratch.
Difficult “wooden” construction. Since low-code platforms are meant to be used by a wide variety of companies, they must be adaptable to a wide range of situations. If you need special functionality, it can cause serious issues. If the Low-Code platform doesn’t provide the features you require, you’ll have to learn to code yourself or find an alternative.
Safety online and privacy of personal data. Developers with the right skills may analyze a hand-coded app line by line and fix any security flaws they find. Although Low-Code users may not be aware of it, they may be unwittingly contributing to security flaws since they do not understand how the underlying code works. On the other hand, if the issue is on the Low-Code side of the platform, knowing how the code works is of no use.
Reduced potential for expansion. Low-code blockchain development also has the drawback that it cannot be easily scaled. They are just not equipped to handle such a large number of simultaneous transactions and user sessions. An application’s complexity directly correlates to how quickly it will hit a scalability wall and spiral out of control.
Fewer options for suppliers. The shortage of vendors providing Low-Code solutions is another drawback of blockchain platform development using this approach. This issue arises from a newly developing market that places high demands on safety (code quality). However, I believe that this issue will resolve itself in due time.
Tightening of the screws on a supplier. Low-Code platforms are no different from any other project in that they can be closed for any reason. There are two possible outcomes if something bad happens to your vendor: either you’ll have to switch your project to a different Low-Code platform or your application will stop functioning altogether.
Low-Code Blockchain Application Frameworks
When it comes to building smart contracts and distributed applications, not many low-code options exist. Some instances include:
Bunzz. Create a decentralized application (DApp) in minutes with no coding experience required using this service platform for civilian developers. Making and deploying smart contracts for your decentralized applications (DApps) on Bunzz is a breeze, and it’s all possible thanks to the platform’s compatibility with blockchain networks that use the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
Thirdweb. NFT is the primary focus of this Low-Code environment. It’s a helpful set of resources that allows artists and business owners to quickly and effectively build, launch, and manage Web3 initiatives.
Decentology. This web 3.0 firm has set out to simplify the creation of blockchain applications for programmers proficient in JavaScript. Hyperverse is a tool that makes smart contract primitives as simple to create and use as web2 APIs, and DappStarter is a comprehensive blockchain application development environment.
KrypCore. The platform is optimized for blockchain development, with pluggable modules and minimum code, facilitating blockchain adoption within corporate infrastructures.
When Low-Code Pays Off
Simply put, “get the job done” apps are the most common type of program built on low-code platforms. Software like this can assist optimize and automate low-value, repetitive processes, which in turn increases productivity in a certain field or industry.
Low-Code is helpful for blockchain development if…
It is possible to create blockchain solutions tailored to your company’s specific needs using low-code tools already on the market.
Making a minimum viable product and releasing it to consumers as soon as possible is a top priority.
You’re on a tight budget and know nothing about computer programming.
The majority of your work on this project consists of boilerplate procedures.
Into the Future
Incorporating blockchain technology into your business processes with low-code platforms is a terrific way to do so rapidly, easily, and with least disruption. But this only applies if the product you want to create is simple and generic enough to be developed with Low-Code. You should give some serious thought to the benefits and drawbacks of Low-Code before committing to adopting it to build blockchain platforms.
