<p>Apps have become the “efficiency interfaces” of the business world. Instead of keeping track of important information or developing new processes in an excel sheet, custom apps have become the go-to solution to automate what was once done by hand. </p><p>However, businesses ran into a problem: apps just take too long to create from the ground up. The solution? Low-code. Low-code platforms became an easy and fast way to build apps without having to manually write all the code behind the platform. </p><p>Instead, low-code platforms implement a slew of pre-programmed “building blocks” that developers can simply drag and drop into place. This results in a lower amount of manually written code, hence: “low-code.” </p><p>Unfortunately, low-code solutions have their own set of problems as well, which is why a new form of rapid application development (RAD) was created - hybrid low-code. To understand hybrid low-code and the nuances of low-code vs hybrid low-code, it is important to first gain a better understanding of low-code platforms.</p><p> </p><h2>What Is Low-Code?</h2><p title="low code and hybrid development">Before diving too deep into what low code and hybrid development are, it will be helpful to know what the “competitors” are. What are the cons of Low Code? </p><p title="low code and hybrid development">There are three main types of platforms in app development:</p><ul><li title="Full code platforms"><strong>Full-Code Platforms</strong>: Full-code platforms lack pre-programmed building blocks. Instead, apps are built entirely by manually written code. While this type of platform allows for the creation of more complex and customizable apps, it is very time-consuming and requires expert developers. <br> </li><li title="No code platforms"><strong>No-Code Platforms</strong>: No-code platforms are the opposite of full-code platforms. Instead of having to manually write the code, these platforms rely solely on pre-programmed building blocks for app development. As a result, “citizen developers” or those with no prior coding experience, are able to build apps. <br> </li><li title="Low-Code platforms"><strong>Low-Code Platforms</strong>: Low-code platforms are somewhat in the middle between full-code and no-code platforms. They do have a set of pre-programmed building blocks but they also allow for some manually written code.</li></ul><p><img src="/sites/default/files/blog%20images/Qodly%20Low-code%20platform.%20No-code%20platform%2C%20Drag%26Drop.png" alt="Qodly: Low-Code platform, Drag&Drop, No Code" width="1300" height="485"> </p><p>While low-code may seem like the perfect balance between no-code and full-code, there is one large problem that impedes the development of cohesive business applications. </p><p>Low-code platforms often operate within their own integrated development environment (IDE). In other words, low-code platforms lack a “bridge” between other platforms. As a result, developers are forced to jump from one platform to the other. </p><p>This has created a segmented development process and ends up creating multiple independent development silos. Because of that, developers are forced to work within the confines of each IDE. </p><p title="hybrid development and hybrid low-code">To solve this problem, hybrid development and hybrid low-code platforms were created.</p><p> </p><h2>What is Hybrid Low-Code?</h2><p>A hybrid low-code platform allows developers to build apps without the confines of a low-code platform. To better understand this, imagine a development environment with a toolbar. The toolbar consists of three main tools: full-code, no-code, and low-code. </p><p>In this environment, a developer can easily switch between the best of all three platforms. The developer is able to build an app from pre-programmed building blocks, from manually writing the code, or from a little of both. </p><p>In other words, developers are not confined to a single platform but instead are able to build an app in an open environment between platforms. </p><p>As a result, with a hybrid low-code platform, the problem of jumping from IDE to IDE no longer exists. Instead, a seamless, efficient, and comprehensive app-building experience is created.</p><p> </p><h2>Is Hybrid Low-Code the Next Step in App Development?</h2><p> </p><img src="/sites/default/files/blog%20images/Qodly%20blog-Hybrid-lode%20vs%20Full-code%2C%20No-code%20vs%20Low-Code.png" data-entity-uuid="240a7116-1712-46a1-adca-5c06f1a309b2" data-entity-type="file" alt="" width="1300" height="485"><p> </p><p title="Hybrid low-code approach">Hybrid low-code approach allows for more flexibility in the app development process. Novice and citizen developers are able to operate in a hybrid low-code platform using pre-programmed building blocks. At the same time, expert developers can be called in to write more complex code. </p><p>This allows businesses to make use of both full-code and low to no-code options all within one platform which avoids the problem of creating independent IDEs or silos while maintaining the benefits of RAD. </p><p>As a result, a more cohesive and efficient way of building apps is made. So, it is safe to say that hybrid low-code is the next step in app development. </p><p> </p><h2>Summary</h2><p>All in all, apps are a great way to automate business processes. But when it comes to automating the app-development process, full-code platforms are just too slow and cumbersome. </p><p>So, eventually, low-code platforms became the answer by relying on pre-programmed building blocks and a small amount of manual coding. </p><p>Unfortunately, low-code platforms lack the comprehensiveness of full-code platforms and are limited to their own IDE which results in development silos. That is why hybrid low-code platforms were created - to bridge the gap between low-code and full code and to allow for an open and cohesive development process. As a result, developers can now enjoy the benefits of both full-code and low-code in one platform. <br> </p><hr><p><br>With the introduction of hybrid low-code platforms like Qodly, developers can now seamlessly integrate high code vs low code approaches, ensuring a comprehensive and efficient app-building experience. With <a href="https://qodly.com" target="_blank">Qodly,</a> a new hybrid Low-Code Platform, you can create business apps tailored to your needs without the hassle of extensive coding. Plus, if you wish to customize further, you have the freedom to add your code, ensuring you're never limited or stuck. </p><p>Experience high-performance applications, thanks to the seamless integration of 4D technology with open-source web frameworks. <a href="https://qodly.com/platform?" target="_blank">Learn more about this powerful platform</a> and start building your web apps for your business today.</p>