Will Low-Code Replace Developers?

Will Low-Code Replace Developers?

Business Applications Challenges 08/29/2024

<p>In recent years, the use of low-code and no-code solutions has grown quickly. Low-code platforms enable developers to create applications through visual interfaces and pre-built components, significantly reducing the amount of traditional coding required. However, as industry trends change, developers sometimes may feel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/webdev/comments/1cakwyr/feeling_defeated_by_shift_to_lowcodenocode/" target="_blank"> defeated by shift to low-code/no-code.</a>&nbsp;</p><p>The concern is real - will the growing reliance on low-code and no-code platforms devalue traditional coding skills? In this article we list the top reasons why developers should not fear low-code but embrace it.</p><h2>Low-Code Development Technologies Market&nbsp;</h2><p>Web and app development is on the rise. Gartner estimates that the market demand will grow at least 5x faster than what IT is capable of delivering.&nbsp;</p><p>At the same time, low-code solutions are becoming more widespread, with a projected 32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2032.</p><p>However, there’s no reason to think that software developers are a dying breed.<a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm" target="_blank&gt;citizen developers&lt;/a&gt; with little to no coding experience, many software developers are concerned with their role in the future of the development process. &#13;&lt;/p&gt;&#13;&lt;p&gt;&#13; However, there’s no reason to think that software developers are a dying breed; in fact, &lt;a href=" https:="" www.bls.gov="" ooh="" computer-and-information-technology=""></a> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm" target="_blank">According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, it is estimated that the need for web developers will stay strong with both web developers and designers seeing a growth rate of 16% from 2022 to 2032.&nbsp;</p><p>With that being said, there are many reasons why web developers are not going away anytime soon and will even benefit from the introduction of low-code solutions into their workflow.</p><h2>Low-Code’s Role in an Enterprise Environment</h2><p>Low-code solutions aim to provide pre-made code ready to be used and deployed with a click of a button. This makes low-code a valuable tool to have when you need to rapidly build basic web applications.&nbsp;</p><p>However, these pre-made components have limitations, often requiring the expertise of a specialist to implement the necessary customization and nuances.&nbsp;</p><p>This is where the coding experience of software developers is needed to form the final product.&nbsp;</p><p>While low-code solutions can be used to create quick models and proofs of concepts as well as some of the code of the final product, there is still a need for custom solutions that only software developers can bring.</p><h2>The Benefit of Low-Code for Developers</h2><p>Even experienced developers often find themselves immersed in the nitty-gritty work that junior developers and sometimes even citizen developers can do. However, low-code is changing that.&nbsp;</p><p>Developers can utilize low-code to take care of the nitty-gritty grunt work that all applications have and instead focus on designing and implementing custom features.&nbsp;</p><p>This will not only speed up development workflows but also free experienced developers from some of the “technical debt” they have to deal with on a regular basis and will allow them to focus on more meaningful work.&nbsp;</p><p>On that note, a survey by Appian found that developers who implement low-code in their workflow are more satisfied than those who only implement high-code.</p><h2>The Developer’s Role in Problem Solving</h2><p>Business applications are subject to problems stemming from updates, small and seemingly unimportant changes, as well as mistakes and miscommunication between the development team.&nbsp;</p><p>That being said, troubleshooting problems, analyzing/diagnosing code, and coming up with possible solutions cannot be done with low-code. Instead, experienced developers are needed.&nbsp;</p><p>A perfect example of this synergy is <a href="https://qodly.com">Qodly</a>, a hybrid low-code platform built to empower developers. Qodly lets developers combine low-code tools with their coding skills. It helps them create custom blocks, and ensure full control over the end product.&nbsp;</p><h2>The Constant Need for Innovation</h2><p>Low-code solutions are not designed to take on all areas of development, nor can they. Most low-code solutions allow developers to implement their own code so as to create more specialized features and tools.&nbsp;</p><p>While mom-and-pop shops may be able to rely solely on the pre-made building blocks of low-code tools, larger businesses cannot and will often need specific applications designed to meet their unique needs.&nbsp;</p><p>Being able to understand those needs, come up with a solution that didn’t previously exist, and make it a reality, is something that only an experienced developer can do.&nbsp;</p><p>As such, when it comes to innovation, developers will continue to be at the forefront and therefore be a vital asset in the development process.</p><h2>Salary Expectations for Low-Code Developers</h2><p>It may be thought that those who embrace low-code may face decreased salaries because of the lower technical expertise required to use low-code.&nbsp;</p><p>Appian conducted a survey and the results show that the opposite is true. More low-code developers report salaries of over 100k than high-code-only developers.&nbsp;</p><p>Because of the many benefits that low-code solutions offer, such as the rapid development of apps, businesses want developers who know how to use low-code tools.&nbsp;</p><p>As a result, experienced developers who also have a handle on implementing low-code in the development process are in demand and can expect to be well compensated.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TiffInTech" target="_blank">@TiffInTech</a> has recently posted an interesting video on this topic.&nbsp;</p><p class="text-align-center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uW1Enf1diDQ?si=IwLbEw9Sqt1ilcM_" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Summary&nbsp;</h2><p>The future of app and web development is promising for experienced developers. With low-code solutions businesses can create more apps in less time. At the same time, developers can concentrate on the more meaningful aspects of the development process and leave the grunt work to low-code.&nbsp;</p><p>All in all, both experienced developers and low-code play an essential role in app development. Those that incorporate low-code in their tool belt will likely see their future prospects increase.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>

By Lucine Khachatryan

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In recent years, the use of low-code and no-code solutions has grown quickly. Low-code platforms enable developers to create applications through visual interfaces and pre-built components, significantly reducing the amount of traditional coding required. However, as industry trends change, developers sometimes may feel  defeated by shift to low-code/no-code. 

The concern is real - will the growing reliance on low-code and no-code platforms devalue traditional coding skills? In this article we list the top reasons why developers should not fear low-code but embrace it.

Low-Code Development Technologies Market 

Web and app development is on the rise. Gartner estimates that the market demand will grow at least 5x faster than what IT is capable of delivering. 

At the same time, low-code solutions are becoming more widespread, with a projected 32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2032.

However, there’s no reason to think that software developers are a dying breed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that the need for web developers will stay strong with both web developers and designers seeing a growth rate of 16% from 2022 to 2032. 

With that being said, there are many reasons why web developers are not going away anytime soon and will even benefit from the introduction of low-code solutions into their workflow.

Low-Code’s Role in an Enterprise Environment

Low-code solutions aim to provide pre-made code ready to be used and deployed with a click of a button. This makes low-code a valuable tool to have when you need to rapidly build basic web applications. 

However, these pre-made components have limitations, often requiring the expertise of a specialist to implement the necessary customization and nuances. 

This is where the coding experience of software developers is needed to form the final product. 

While low-code solutions can be used to create quick models and proofs of concepts as well as some of the code of the final product, there is still a need for custom solutions that only software developers can bring.

The Benefit of Low-Code for Developers

Even experienced developers often find themselves immersed in the nitty-gritty work that junior developers and sometimes even citizen developers can do. However, low-code is changing that. 

Developers can utilize low-code to take care of the nitty-gritty grunt work that all applications have and instead focus on designing and implementing custom features. 

This will not only speed up development workflows but also free experienced developers from some of the “technical debt” they have to deal with on a regular basis and will allow them to focus on more meaningful work. 

On that note, a survey by Appian found that developers who implement low-code in their workflow are more satisfied than those who only implement high-code.

The Developer’s Role in Problem Solving

Business applications are subject to problems stemming from updates, small and seemingly unimportant changes, as well as mistakes and miscommunication between the development team. 

That being said, troubleshooting problems, analyzing/diagnosing code, and coming up with possible solutions cannot be done with low-code. Instead, experienced developers are needed. 

A perfect example of this synergy is Qodly, a hybrid low-code platform built to empower developers. Qodly lets developers combine low-code tools with their coding skills. It helps them create custom blocks, and ensure full control over the end product. 

The Constant Need for Innovation

Low-code solutions are not designed to take on all areas of development, nor can they. Most low-code solutions allow developers to implement their own code so as to create more specialized features and tools. 

While mom-and-pop shops may be able to rely solely on the pre-made building blocks of low-code tools, larger businesses cannot and will often need specific applications designed to meet their unique needs. 

Being able to understand those needs, come up with a solution that didn’t previously exist, and make it a reality, is something that only an experienced developer can do. 

As such, when it comes to innovation, developers will continue to be at the forefront and therefore be a vital asset in the development process.

Salary Expectations for Low-Code Developers

It may be thought that those who embrace low-code may face decreased salaries because of the lower technical expertise required to use low-code. 

Appian conducted a survey and the results show that the opposite is true. More low-code developers report salaries of over 100k than high-code-only developers. 

Because of the many benefits that low-code solutions offer, such as the rapid development of apps, businesses want developers who know how to use low-code tools. 

As a result, experienced developers who also have a handle on implementing low-code in the development process are in demand and can expect to be well compensated. 

@TiffInTech has recently posted an interesting video on this topic. 

 

 

Summary 

The future of app and web development is promising for experienced developers. With low-code solutions businesses can create more apps in less time. At the same time, developers can concentrate on the more meaningful aspects of the development process and leave the grunt work to low-code. 

All in all, both experienced developers and low-code play an essential role in app development. Those that incorporate low-code in their tool belt will likely see their future prospects increase. 
 

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