The Myths and Misconceptions about Low Code Platforms
The Myths and Misconceptions about Low Code Platforms
The Myths and Misconceptions about Low Code Platforms

The Myths and Misconceptions about Low Code Platforms

Low-code platforms enable fast and easy development of enterprise applications. The users do not need coding or technical expertise. Business users can get things done without waiting for coding experts.

But does this theory hold good in actual practice?

Why is the adoption of low-code platforms at the enterprise level still limited?

Many myths and misconceptions around low-code platforms limit their widespread adoption. What are such myths? How does the prevalence of such myths cause business users to lose out on opportunities?

Myth #1: Low Code Does Not Work for Mission-Critical Stuff

The common perception is that low-code platforms suit only small-scale development tasks. Most people equate low-code development with building some basic department-level stuff. They equate low-code with apps for allocating staff parking slots, tracking vacations, and other such random stuff. They think low-code platforms do not work when the requirements get complex.

The reality is that high-performance, low-code platforms offer full-stack development capabilities. The latest, state-of-the-art low-code platforms offer:

  • End-to-end support, from code to production.
  • Cloud support.
  • Advanced capabilities such as deep integration, robust security, and regulatory compliance.
  • AI-powered app-editors that offer full-stack suggestions, from data to UI.
  • Automation capabilities. Low-code platforms automate repetitive tasks such as dependency management and validation. Developers remain free to focus on customisations and innovations.  
  • Agile project management capabilities. Such capabilities enable rapid development to break down projects into small, manageable sprints.

It is viable to create high-performance, complex, enterprise-grade applications using these capabilities.

The proof of the pudding is the eating. Western Union used OutSystems low-code platform to build its mission-critical digital banking app. The low-code platform accelerated the development process and enabled a launch in only eleven months.  The company is also developing customer-facing apps.

Myth 2: Low-Code Platforms Address Only Coding

Application development goes much beyond coding. The first-generation low-code platforms only automated coding. Developers had to deal with the other parts of the development lifecycle, such as testing and deployment.

The latest low-code platforms, however, support the end-to-end application development lifecycle. These platforms enable ideation, design, testing, deployment and maintenance.

Advanced low-code platforms offer:

  • User-friendly features such as drag-and-drop interfaces, graphical models, and declarative programming. Such options speed up development cycles and reduce coding errors.
  • AI-powered code generation and automated testing capabilities. Best-in-breed platforms will soon offer instant apps through conversational prompts.
  • Libraries of pre-built components such as user interfaces, integrations, and business logic. These components have become better over time and now support complex use cases. Users can now customise and reuse such components.
  • User feedback loops. Iterative development enables stakeholders to provide early and frequent feedback.
  • Embedded DevSecOps. The DevSecOps approach bakes security into the development process upfront. The conventional approach adds security as an afterthought.

Myth #3: Low code Platforms are only for Independent, Non-Professional Citizen Developers

In the early days, low-code platforms had limited functionality. These platforms did not offer a collaborative environment. As such, only citizen developers who needed basic apps used these platforms.

Low Code Platforms

But low-code platforms have come a long way since then. These platforms now allow seamless collaboration. Multiple teams can now work on application development. . These platforms offer

  • Social collaboration options. Integrated chat and comments functionalities enable real-time collaboration and feedback exchange.
  • Shared workspaces. Multiple developers can work on the same application simultaneously, with concurrent editing capabilities.
  • Version control. Tracking changes and reverting to old versions becomes easy.
  • Support for running multiple projects concurrently, such as data partitioning and access controls.

Myth #4: Low-Code Platforms Create Shadow IT

Low-code platforms empower business users to create applications without relying on IT teams.  The risk of such instances creating shadow IT is real. Low-code platforms eliminate the entry barrier to creating apps. Any business user can start building and using apps. The process creates disconnected systems and silos, and also security risks.

But low-code platforms do not always lead to shadow IT.

Enterprises can thwart the creation of shadow IT through

  • Proactive governance. Strong governance lays down policies for the creation of applications using low-code platforms. Clear guidelines for coding standards, data usage, and security ensure compliance.
  • Mandating specific, centrally managed platforms. A central platform offers full visibility into all applications developed by enterprise users. System admins can block the use of unapproved tools and platforms.
  • Creating a central application registry and blocking all other applications.

Myth #5: Lack of Flexibility and Risk of Vendor Lock-In

Typical low-code architecture uses proprietary stacks and interpreters. These resources make changes and expansions difficult. It also becomes hard to co-opt other third-party tools. Developers cannot go beyond the authentication and security resources offered by the vendors.

The latest, high-performance, low-code platforms, however, break free of such limitations. The loosely coupled architecture and portable, platform-independent code enable unrestricted customisation and flexibility.  These platforms offer:

  • Connectors to plug in common services from third-party providers. Users can co-opt common services from Amazon, Google and Microsoft this way.
  • Integration with third-party resources and services through API. Developers can use their preferred authentication, security, and DevOps tools.

The best example is OutSystems. The data and code are independent of the platform. The enterprise can reuse them for other third-party applications. The architecture is independent of the underlying runtime. Changes in the runtime do not impact applications.

Myth #6: Low Code Platforms Impede Scalability

The common perception is that low-code platforms get things done when developed but cannot scale. The performance takes a hit when the transaction volumes and data increase.

Modern low-code platforms are scalable. These platforms support millions of users. They are resilient and can handle seasonal traffic spikes. These platforms come with:

  • Integrated cloud-native capabilities.
  • Ability to leverage cloud-native technology such as containerisation, microservices, Kubernetes, and serverless computing.
  • The ability of each tenant to autoscale.

Myth #7: Low-Code Build Applications are Not Secure

Another popular myth is that low-code development comes with security risks. The myth is the biggest impediment to embracing low-code platforms. The huge security implications make any compromise a non-starter.

The latest low-code platforms, however, provide enterprise-grade security. These platforms come with functionalities such as:

  • Tenant-isolation capabilities. Each application gets segregated computing capability, preventing others from accessing data and resources.
  • Multiple security checks from design to runtime. OutSystems enables static code analyses and deploys more than 250 such checks.
  • Deploying AI to analyse code vulnerabilities and pre-empt threats such as SQL and JavaScript injection. Robust intrusion detection systems offer an extra security layer.

Low-code platforms will account for 70% of all new applications in 2025. This is a big jump from just 25% in 2020.

The huge spike is due to the ability of these platforms to deliver huge improvements in speed, code quality, and development performance.

The myths related to low-code platforms are limitations that were true some time ago. But the latest platforms with advances in technology break free of such limitations. Such limitations now surface only when using substandard or below-par low-code platforms.

A reliable low-code platform such as OutSystems delivers high-performance applications. These platforms suit business users and developers alike. Business users can create applications on the fly without breaking a sweat. Developers can increase their productivity without losing control over the process.

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Your privacy matters to us. We will not disclose your personal information to any kind of third-party players. Your information is highly secured with us. For more information about our Privacy Policy, please visit our website here.

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