Business systems usually read a fixed program (source code) and perform processing. In the past, it was necessary to directly operate the source code, so system development was a difficult task for beginners.
However, in recent years, with the spread of the concept of “no-code”, even beginners can develop systems on compatible platforms without touching the source code.
This time, for those who want to develop a system using no-code, we will explain what is no-code development and what you need to know, such as the difference from low-code.
table of contents
- 1. What kind of development style is no-code development?
- 2. Advantages and disadvantages of no-code development
- 3. What is different from low code development?
- 4. What is a no-code development platform?
- 5. What kind of company is No-code development suitable for?
- 6. Outsourcing is recommended for large-scale system development
What kind of development style is no-code development?
No-code means “no code needed” when translated directly. In other words, it refers to a method for developing a system without using source code or a tool for realizing development.
Traditional system development has been a task that involves only knowledgeable resources in specialized fields such as servers and programming languages. Therefore, beginners who want to make a system had to outsource the development to a specialist. However, no-code is a concept that overturns the conventional development process. With no-code tools, you can develop systems even if you are not familiar with fields such as servers and programming languages. No-code is a method in which users who use the system are directly involved in the development, rather than specialized occupations such as engineers.
On the UI (operation screen) prepared by the no-code tool,
- Insert images and buttons
- Link the functions of the external cart tool
- Set push notification function
You can perform operations such as. All you have to do is drag and drop or enter simple characters. It is necessary to understand the basics such as the mechanism of the system and the concept of construction, but there is no need to go into it and learn the programming language. It is also attractive that many tools can be used for free with No Code.
Advantages and disadvantages of no-code development
No-code development has the following advantages and disadvantages.
| Advantages and disadvantages of no code | |
|---|---|
| merit | Demerit |
| No engineer is required for system development | Not suitable for developing complex systems |
| Development costs can be significantly reduced | There are few services when narrowing down to Japan |
| Achieves speedy system launch | You need to learn the operation of each tool |
Below, let’s explain each in detail in turn.
● Advantage 1: No engineer required for system development
No-code has spread to layers that have not yet started system development. This is an epoch-making concept that no engineer is required depending on the content of system development. For example, even if there is an opinion that “I want such a system” in the field, it was not easy to prepare the system so far.
By using the no-code tool, when you want to make a system by trial production for the time being or want to prepare a small system immediately, you can put together the contents and build the system directly on site. One of the strengths of No-code is that it is easy to develop systems with complicated procedures. Another advantage is that you can save the trouble of defining requirements and communicating them to the subcontractor, and reflect your own opinions in system development as they are.
● Advantage 2: Development costs can be significantly reduced
If specialized skills are required for system development, labor costs can easily increase. Despite the small-scale system development, there may be cases where the request was given up in terms of cost. With no-code tools, you can develop in-house without considering outsourcing. No-code tools are not suitable for any system development, but if you can judge that no-code tools can be used in terms of scale and required functions, you can actively use them.
Also, in system development, there are many situations where multiple engineers are involved in the work, but the point is that even one person can realize the system development because the work is easy with the no-code tool. Since fewer human resources are required, labor costs can be reduced.
● Advantage 3: Speedy system launch
The time it takes to develop a system is to build programming. It takes a reasonable amount of time to verify and debug the behavior each time you type the code. You need to work. In addition, even after the system is completed, it will take time and effort for test operation.
On the other hand, if you develop a system with no code, you can save the trouble of programming construction at once. As a result, you will be able to devote more time to tasks such as operation verification and test operation, and you will be able to shorten the time to system launch. Now that society is becoming more liquid, system development is also required to be speedy. No-code is faster than other development methods such as full scratch.
● Disadvantage 1: Not suitable for developing complex systems
In IT tools, it is difficult to achieve both simplicity and flexibility in content creation. Keep in mind that even with no-code tools, system development is easy and flexibility is reduced.
Even if there are requests such as “I want to divide the access authority finely for each department” and “I want to incorporate the latest payment function into the system”, it cannot be realized unless the tool side responds. On the no-code tool side, the operation is templated so that even beginners can easily develop the system. Therefore, please note that even if there is a function you want to install in the system, it may not be possible to implement it with no code.
● Disadvantage 2: There are few services if you focus on Japan
IT tools are becoming more and more popular overseas, such as in the United States.
No-code is no exception, and there are not many tools made in Japan compared to tools made overseas. Some patterns are localized in Japanese even with tools made overseas, but they are not perfect. The number of no-code tools that can be used for website creation has increased in Japan, but as we move into the area of system development, the choices of tools made in Japan will decrease. Therefore, if you have some skills to understand English, you will have more options for no-code tools.
● Disadvantage 3: It is necessary to learn the operation of each tool
If you learn the basic operations, even business tools such as “Excel” that anyone can use to some extent need time to learn the operations themselves. Even for no-code tools, after selecting a tool, it will take some time for the person in charge to understand the basic functions of the tool and utilize it for system development.
Of course, it will take less time to learn a tool than to “learn and utilize a programming language from scratch”. Once you have introduced a no-code tool, it takes time to switch to another tool because it is “not suitable for development”. For this reason, it is safe to use the free plan or free trial provided by the no-code tool side to determine the matching with your company and prepare to introduce the tool appropriately.
What is different from low code development?
A technique that is confused with no-code development is “low-code development.” Both are the same method in that the hurdles for development can be lowered, but there are differences in terms of freedom of development and required skills, so please be careful when selecting.
● Low code means “less code is needed”
If you translate the low code into Japanese, it is “less code”. In other words, low-code development is a “method that completes system development with only a small amount of code description.”
In low code, the operation is based on the UI on the tool side as in the case of no code, but when necessary, the source code can be directly inserted to expand the function. It can be said that low code is a good mix of the easy development of no-code and the flexible development of full scratch. As with no-code, the number of tools that support low-code development will be reduced if we focus only on domestic products. Therefore, it will be easier to select tools if there are people who can understand English.
● Low code is slower than no code in terms of development speed
With low code, if a company wants to incorporate original functions into the system, it needs to be programmed directly. The more you insert source code directly, the longer it will take to develop than no-code, which does not write any code at all. However, if the part that describes the source code is very small, there will be no significant time lag in development compared to no code. Low code is suitable for situations where you can develop with almost no code, but want to add a little source code to give it originality.
When comparing the two, no-code and low-code,
- How big is the system?
- Is it necessary to write even a part of the source code?
- How fast do you need to start operation?
Please decide which one to introduce.
● Low code makes the system more expandable, but sometimes an engineer is needed.
With low code, you can insert the source code wherever you like, which makes your system more extensible. Even if you are not familiar with programming, even beginners can do tasks such as “access the template site that publishes the source code and copy and paste the code”.
However, if you want system extensibility to be more original than pasting template code, it can be difficult for beginners to complete system development. When complicated source code is involved, the system under development may become abnormal, and its debugging is not easy.
Keep in mind that even low-code development may require professional skills such as engineers. By the way, even when pasting the template code, be sure to read the notes on the site such as “Is it commercially available?” Before using it.
What is a no code development platform?
“FileMaker” is one of the platforms that can realize no-code development. It is a platform provided by “Claris” based in the United States. FileMaker is familiar with database software and is characterized by an environment that enables not only no-code development but also low-code development.
- Compatible with Apple silicon products, Ubuntu, and Linux
- You can use add-on functions such as photo gallery and barcode generation.
- Efficient code insertion by utilizing JavaScript library
- AI functions such as image recognition can be used on mobile devices
It is also attractive that there are merits such as. Although it is an overseas platform, it is localized for Japan, and it is easy to handle. There is a free trial version, so if you are interested, please try it once. If you would like to know more about FileMaker, please also see the page below.
■ What is FileMaker? An easy-to-understand explanation of basic knowledge and what you can do
There are other types of no-code development platforms such as Shopify, Bubble, and Yappli. Let’s compare each tool and introduce the most suitable tool in terms of budget and system scale.
What kind of company is No code development suitable for?
As I mentioned a little earlier, no-code development is a solution for enterprises such as:
- Anyway, I want to develop the system speedily
- I want to prepare a pre-production system prototype in-house
- I want to develop a system centered on no-code development as part of the in-house DX
No-code development is recommended not only for companies that have the speed of development and the need to prepare prototypes in-house but also for those who are looking for a foothold for DX (digital transformation). With no-code development, you can create your system when you need it, without having to rely on external companies. If we can easily systemize the detailed work that we have done manually, the point is to move one step closer to DX.
However, when building the system in-house, please establish a system that allows you to share who developed what system and how in-house so that the contents do not become a black box. Also, try to identify the purpose and what functions you need before working on it and try not to build a useless system.
Outsourcing is recommended for large-scale system development
No-code development is recommended for companies that want to develop their systems. However, no-code development is not suitable for situations where a large-scale system is required. Some may think that if there is no-code development, engineers will not be needed, but engineers themselves will be needed in the future just because the way they exist changes.
Outsourcing is recommended for corporate personnel who say, “I don’t have an engineer in my company, but I want a complicated system …”. If outsourced, it is possible to develop complex and large-scale systems that cannot be achieved with no-code or low-code. The fact that there is support such as “creating the system you want according to your budget” and “defining requirements together” is also an attraction unique to outsourcing.
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