Not everyone is on board with low-code development platforms, even though they are a key part of a strategy to accelerate app delivery. Why do many pro developers shun low-code? From their perspective, two reasons:

  1. “Low-code will limit the kinds of apps I can build and the scale of the apps.”
  2. “Low-code will lock out me out of open source and APIs and limit flexibility.”

These are reasonable concerns but poor reasons to reject low-code platforms. Let’s unpack these myths.

Myth 1: Low-Code Will Limit The Kinds Of Apps I Can Build And The Scale Of The Apps

Many low-code platforms support multiple user interfaces and complex variations of business applications. You can prototype and build your apps to fit modern requirements and then evolve them to meet constantly changing customer demands. And you can do all this faster than you can by hand coding. Check out VANTIQ’s platform and Google’s AutoML. Specialized platforms like these are emerging to tackle new domains, including IoT and machine learning.

Low-code vendors focused on scale and complexity can support the scale of mission-critical app requirements, as evidenced by firsthand accounts from developers who use these platforms. For example, one developer built an application that routes 1.5 million orders per day. Another developed a full ERP for gas-field management. Carefully designed application architecture is key to scalability, whether you are building on a low-code platform or not. Success hinges on calibrating your scaling needs accordingly.

Myth 2: Low-Code Will Lock Me Out Of Open Source And APIs And Limit Flexibility

If your goal is to assemble your own platform, then low-code is not the right tool for you. But low-code platforms do incorporate widely used open source components, including Spring, React, Angular, and Cloud Foundry. And most provide many different deployment options, including Kubernetes and Docker. Low-code development platforms are also strong at integrating functions and data drawn from internet services, as well as older systems like the Oracle and SAP ERPs. Mileage may vary depending on platform.

The foundations of low-code platforms make them more flexible than most would expect. Not only can you deliver software more quickly, but you can also iterate at a faster pace. The future of low-code depends on vendors evolving their platforms and adding new, powerful features to keep pace with development needs — and the leading vendors have strong track records on both counts.

Despite our myth busting, low-code platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, like all development platforms. The key is finding the right platform for your needs, including serious due diligence on individual products. We’re interested in hearing your thoughts below.

(Allison Vizgaitis helped contribute to this blog.)