Low Code and No Code = More Code

Low-code/no-code platforms use visual interfaces and simplified configurations to abstract away much of the coding work. It makes them powerful creation engines in the hands of non-technical business subject matter experts. But under the hood, they still generate a web of code that runs the application. So low-code and no-code don’t entirely abstract the code from the application; they hide it from the developer.

Low-code/no-code applications come with many of the same agility-eroding challenges, such as high maintenance costs and extending technical debt as traditionally coded apps. The underlying code must still be managed, optimized, scaled, and secured like any other codebase.

Codeless = Abstracting the technical plumbing

In contrast, a true codeless architecture does not generate or execute source code at runtime. “A codeless architecture decouples the business logic from the technical plumbing. Changes can be made declaratively through the interface without directly touching code.” The models that users create are directly executable, with no translation necessary.  

Bringing it together: Codeless coupled with low-code & no-code

The ultimate agile scenario combines the strengths of both a codeless architecture and low-code/no-code capabilities that empower business users to create IT solutions. You require a platform that comprises the following:

• A Codeless Core, where the backend runs on a codeless architecture for core business logic and workflows.
• A low-code/no-code edge, where business subject matter experts and citizen developers visually and intuitively create their applications using components that integrate with the codeless core.
• Seamless Orchestration - The codeless backend seamlessly orchestrates data and services across low-code and legacy systems using prefabricated, drag-and-drop connectors and open protocols like REST APIs. No hard coding is required.

Codeless and Citizen Development

Enterprises can build safer, more resilient, future-proof systems, and more of them, faster than ever by harnessing the strengths of both a codeless architecture and low-code/no-code design capabilities. Some key benefits of combining codeless and intuitive development front-ends on a single platform include accelerated delivery of new experiences, innovation without limits, optimal talent allocation, and intrinsic adaptability.

Freedom to innovate

Low-code/no-code frontends can rapidly prototype and deliver new customer-facing solutions and UIs, bringing new experiences to market faster, while the flexible codeless core evolves securely behind the scenes. It enables business users to innovate freely using low-code and no-code tools without worrying about downstream technical debt, as the easily adaptable codeless core readily absorbs changes or additions.

Maximum flexibility

HBR states, “Expert developers can focus their talents on infrastructure while business power users and citizen developers on the application layer, aligning resources according to strengths.” Indeed, with maximum flexibility inherent in both the low-code/no-code and codeless layers abstracted above the codebase, enterprises gain unmatched responsiveness to evolving business needs and opportunities, whether this is driven by macro-environmental pressures such as a changing regulatory landscape or new competitor offerings or driven through continuous innovation efforts.

Force multiplier

In essence, codeless and low-code/no-code become force multipliers for each other on a single platform, enabling unprecedented enterprise adaptability, agility, and scalability. As Forrester states, “This represents the next leap forward in intelligent automation - the flexibility to build resilient, future-proof systems faster and more efficiently than ever.”

The Dawn of a New Codeless Era

The limitations of traditional coding and even low-code and no-code platforms are clear. These legacy approaches perpetuate agility-sapping debt and lack the adaptability modern business demands.

By abstracting away technical constraints, codeless liberates both expert developers and business teams. It enables unprecedented agility without accumulating more debt. This paradigm shift unlocks the full potential of human creativity through technology. And this is not just another incremental improvement. Codeless pioneers a profoundly different way technology serves business needs by moving beyond the slower, rigid, hard-coded world as we know it. The era of truly adaptive, intelligent automation is well and truly here.

As Mike Gaultieri at Forrester Research says, “Codeless architecture opens the door to unprecedented business agility and innovation. It enables a new era of rapidly adaptive, human-centric enterprise software.”

Part I of this article "Codeless Architecture vs. Low Code No Code" explains the differences between both codeless and Low-code/No-Code and how it impacts application development.

About AgilePoint

AgilePoint is an adaptive enterprise process automation platform with powerful low and no-code capabilities. Our philosophy is that all code creates future choke points, ultimately leading to system collapse.

That is why our platform is entirely codeless—allowing business subject matter experts and citizen developers to transform the business by decomplexifying, creating, maintaining, and extending applications without extending your technical debt footprint. It makes your organization faster, more secure, resilient, and fully adaptive.

For more information on how AgilePoint’s codeless architecture works, have a look at the article From Code to Codeless: Unlock Continuous Digital Transformation

We save our clients $ 32 million or an ROI of over 400% on average. For more of our fantastic result metrics, check out Forrester’s special report on AgilePoint’s Total Economic Impact

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