How is a Traditional Development Different from a No Code Development?

We are now in the era of visual development! Little did we know, we are now in a war in terms of technological development – the conflict between no-code vs traditional development! Before, development and coding were relatively unknown and a tad synonymous. App development for most companies meant multitudes of tasks like what platform to choose, what relevant language to decide on, and which multiple lines of codes to write. These are time-consuming and cost-inefficient, mainly because developers dedicated to their work charges are pretty pricey!

Fast forward to today - finally, companies have a choice. They are now free to do away with coding in general and utilize no-code platforms for app development customization. Both cases result in the same – apps fit and suited to what your business needs specifically. The question remains, though - how are these two types of development different from one another, and why is no-code development a better choice? Through thorough comparison and analysis, we shall try to answer these questions. Let’s go!

What is Traditional Development?

Also known as custom software development, traditional development deals with manual coding. When you use the conventional development approach to custom build an application, you or your developers must work long and hard and get your hands dirty in writing code lines.

Imagine yourself building your dream house. You would need a lot for this – a house plan, materials, instruments, and skilled carpenters and builders. It is pretty similar when you create custom apps. What you need includes:

• Skilled app developers - individuals with high-level programming and technical skills. They are ingenuine, creative, and have logical approaches to solving problems. Their analytical capabilities allow them to work well under pressure. Skilled app developers have well-versed experience in development methodologies. In addition, they have great attention to detail.
• Specifications on software requirements - a document called a Software Requirements Specification or SRS. This document is a description of the software’s abilities and expectations we can get from it. The SRS document describes the software’s functionality. Furthermore, this document possesses what needs to be fulfilled based on all the stakeholder’s needs. These needs can either be business- or user-related, or both.
• Right tech stack - also called a “solutions stack”. Usually consists of databases, programming languages, and frameworks, among others. This also includes front-end and back-end tools, and applications connected via. APIs. Application Programming Interface, or APIs, are intermediary softwares that allow communication between two applications. Typically, product companies include tools for product measurement and user analysis. 
• Tools for software writing and managing of codes - numerous writing tools for software include Scrivener, Google Docs, Freedom, Grammarly, and Evernote, etc. These tools aid in the creating and writing of softwares. On the other hand, code management tools are used in tracking modifications to any source code repository. These tools track the running history of code base changes. In addition, they help resolve conflicts in merging updates from numerous contributors.

Luckily, you can easily buy codes off the shelf or have access to open-source libraries and other pieces of code that make your app developing faster. Bottom line, traditional development needs developers to write code and shape everything towards a functional and working app.

Main Advantages and Disadvantages

You would need to know about both approaches' particular advantages and disadvantages before considering any of these development types. Here are some of the overall benefits of using traditional development:

• Functionality is unlimited – companies can make do of custom codes however they want. They can practically build any feature. This also means the possibility of virtual integration. In building custom apps, developers have the freedom to use any technology. These include, but are not limited to, tooling, hosting and APIs.
• You have total ownership – the company owns the source code, having complete control of the app's architecture, integrability, security, etc. They also have the choice to either put into public use their app or keep it for themselves. Since they own the source code, they can do pretty much anything they want to do with it. Once an app becomes successful, having total ownership means having full ownership of the app’s profit as well. This can be a vital decision companies make towards success.
• The development process is smooth – it has DevOps operations and best practices that will ensure that your application will be maintained easily, updated seamlessly, and publicly released once it's all done. Easy app maintenance means less effort yet high productivity is put into it. Seamless updates also make the process effortless, but still very productive. And once apps are publicly released, they can mean great profit and success for the company that owns them.

If we have advantages, definitely we also have disadvantages. Here are some drawbacks of traditional development that makes no-code/low-code development superior:

• It can cost that much – requires serious budgeting even after building in-house, outsource, or near-source functions. There is usually no way around this. Custom app development would definitely involve a high budget especially with the tools needed for its creation. More often than not, companies try and invest numerous times before even landing one successful app. This can mean a lot of money required. But if everything goes very successfully, this venture will be worth every penny spent.
• Market time is relatively slow – custom app development takes around a couple of months up to a year or so, even with off-the-shelf components that can speed up development. This is fairly slower compared to no-code programming. Since the majority of custom apps are programmed manually, it would surely take time. During the development process, you may encounter more problems that can hinder the process and make it even longer. Developers can take this hindrance as a form of challenge to better their apps. However, some give up due to the longevity of what was supposed-to-be a shorter time only.
• Skilled resources are required – coding is a complex skill to master, requiring you to have a team of developers, designers, and QA engineers who are experts in this field. In addition, hiring app developers can be tedious. You would definitely want some who would treat your product as their own, and that itself can be a task of its own. It is not very often to see entrepreneurs mastering the skills of coding themselves. It requires enough time to study the craft. But if this can be done, expect making functioning apps very comfortable and be accomplished on a whim.

Why Choose Traditional Development?

Summing up the good and the not-so-good in choosing traditional development, here are some takeaways we can get from this approach on good old app development:

• Complexed logic applications

Applications with complex logic can be seen as something very effective. Since complex logic has been put into the development of custom apps, expect its functions to be as flawless as it can be. These applications have undergone meticulous procedures that strengthened its capabilities even more. Oftentimes, complex logic applications have already sorted out its kinks, making it less prone to vulnerabilities. These types of custom apps are the ones tested by time.

• Long-term perspective, digital products

You can be assured that these digital products will provide perspective in the longest of times. Going back to the first takeaway, because these custom apps have withstood the test of time, expect its perspective to last long compared to others. And that’s what we want for our products, right? We have developed it so that we, along with others, can use it as long as possible. In terms of digital products, the long-term perspectives we showcase can forever bear our digital imprints.

• Third-party systems integrated solutions

Custom apps are perfect for solutions we need to integrate lots of third-party systems. With the availability of free third-party systems we can use, we should definitely take advantage of them for the betterment of our business. This choice not only saves us money but can also become potential partnerships in the future. Integration of systems by third-party providers can be beneficial to both parties. We can aim for an upward trajectory of success for both parties involved - hence, a win-win solution.

• Unique user interface software

In this world where a lot of apps are being developed even as we speak, we definitely want ours to stand out from its counterparts. So, we want to have a unique interface that can help us with this goal. Softwares that requires a unique user interface can become sort of a demand in terms of being genuine. We not only improve our own experience, but the experience of those who would use our product as well. Standing out from a pool of custom apps can mean success for us in the long run.

• 100% future control of the application
• Custom apps are designed so that you can have total control of its future. This power gives us freedom to choose how we want our app to become as we aspire towards success. Having 100% control allows us to be ourselves in the process. This freedom would mean no one dictating and ordering us what to do, becoming the masters of our own product. With this kind of freedom, we can showcase what we can do for our business, making it our own as we move forward. 

What is No Code and Low Code Development

No-code and low-code development approaches are not new in the software development world despite the recent hype these two have created. Both of these tools allow developers decent creations of websites and web applications. These tools have been around since the early 2010s, making them not really that new and are already existing for quite some time now. Let's go ahead and take a quick step back and define each of these approaches:

Low Code

Definition: a software development approach that implies using graphical user interfaces. It uses a drag-and-drop functionality, allowing the modification of an app code by editing and rewriting baseline code parts directly.

No Code

Definition: a software development method that allows citizen developers to create applications without any code-writing.

Difference Between the Two

Companies catering to a broad audience with marketing app-building products tend to interchange these two terms often. However, taking a closer look will reveal differences between no-code and low-code like:

1. Audience Targeted: Low-code targets developers, while no-code targets citizen developers. When we look at the battle between low code and traditional development - both approaches target coders. But low code gives developers the freedom to abstract away from codes of the baseline. And with the difference between programming and no-code, they aim for quite a clear cut in terms of different user groups. Although the same in nature, both have very different target audiences.
2. Code Access: No-code development has no code access, while low-code has limited code access. As each term suggests, accessibility is very different for each approach - “no code” so “no access”; “low code” so “low access”. This results in applications written using low code becoming easier to integrate using more third-party solutions through APIs. On the other hand, applications created using no codes can become quite a hassle in terms of integration. But then again, they can still be very effective in achieving the goals you have in mind with the development of your app.
3. Assured Quality: No-code apps don’t need to be tested since app blocks used are already well-tested before releasing to the public, while low-code apps use app blocks from third-party software, requiring you to try it yourself thoroughly. With no code apps, running it a few times to see its performance is very vital. Doing this can provide you insights if the app is performing exactly as you envisioned it. But this can be different in totality when dealing with custom apps because this can be more tedious. For low code apps, on the other hand, built-in QA (quality assurance) often suffice the blocks already for you to just leave then how they are intact, only requiring proper QAing if code edits have been made. 
4. The complexity of the Application: No-code is too simple in supporting complex cases for business use, while low-code is too complicated for developers who are non-professionals. So, you may resort to low codes in supporting complex cases for your business. This change can greatly affect the success of your business moving forward. Meanwhile, non-professional developers can switch to no codes so that processes are not too complicated and are user-friendly. Easement of usage can help you accomplish tasks easier, allowing you to focus on more crucial aspects of your business.

Main Advantages and Disadvantages

After comparing these two approaches, here are some pros and cons that correlate the two together. Let’s start with some benefits:

• Non-coders can easily pick up these approaches. Being user-friendly, non-coders can use no-code/low-code tools even without prior knowledge. Users can easily pick up processes, allowing them to create their own apps in no time. Low-code/no-code tools, by nature, are designed to be easily utilized. This trait makes them widely used and available for everyone who wants to use them. In addition, easy usage contributes to its popularity, hence, they are widely known, too.
• They can develop apps faster, making market time more quickly, too. Simply put - the faster the development, the quicker time to market. With the user-friendly nature of low-code/no-code tools, developing apps won’t take that much time, allowing you to finish everything quickly and market your product right away. These approaches are best suited for those who want to see results right away. The quicker market time also means quicker profit especially if your app is doing well. Success becomes more and more evident once your product hits the market as soon as possible.
• These approaches are way less pricey compared to custom app development. As mentioned earlier, custom app development requires more budget because it has more components for it to successfully run. On the other hand, a lesser budget is required in app development when using low-code/no-code tools. They are usually free and available right away. It also won’t require you to hire skilled app developers because even you can easily use it. That is why most startups use these tools in building their apps.
• These can become means of offloading development resources. Offloading means submitting works to the cloud. With the use of low code no code, this has somehow become a way to offload development resources to the cloud. When specific tasks are frequently used and can no longer be performed in parallel, there can be an increase in communication costs and waiting time. That is why this has become a means of transferring resources to somewhere it can be accessed by many more users, hence, the cloud. By doing so, you can free up space you can use for other essential matters.
• No need to hire more coders and promote existing workers instead. In addition to saving money from hiring skilled app developers, using low-code/no-code can mean promotion for your existing workers. It can be a hassle to hire additional personnel, so you can instead promote those who have excelled in their work, making your team as exclusive as possible. This gesture would save you time and effort. This can also allow you to allot precious time in developing more products. Promoting existing workers also gives them a sense of appreciation that can be beneficial in the continued success of your business.
• You can even build your own prototype right away. With low code no code tools that are easy to use, you can even create and build your own without the assistance of others. This would allow you to explore the tools and the process of development for your apps. In addition, this can help you master the craft, making you good at each product you create. Not only does this help in your confidence, but you no longer need to rely on others for something to happen. This would give you total control over your app.

Amidst these advantages, disadvantages lie seemingly on the surface. Here are the cons to point out:

• Applications are less customizable. Compared to traditional development, applications using low code no code are often less customizable. Since they are readily available, not much customization is needed or can be done with them. In addition, they are also free and anyone can create one, giving very little room for customization. And since they are not that complex, less customizable features are available. You can either use them as is or just create your own one.
• Hosting options are locked into vendor-provided ones. No-code tools give no access to hosting options aside from those who created it. There are vendor-provided ones that are locked and can only be used exclusively by the vendor themselves in terms of hosting. Even if they are free and readily available, this is one trait no-code tools possess. On the other hand, very little access is given to users of low-code tools in terms of hosting options, too. Consulting the vendor for possible access to hosting options is possible, but is not highly recommended.
• User interfaces are stock-looking. No-codes/low-codes may tend to look a bit “stocky”. or have cluttered interfaces. Since products using these approaches can be done in a breeze, not much thought has been placed in terms of the user interface. So, they tend to become stock-looking and become less appealing. Don’t get me wrong - they can still be very effective, however, users may choose to use others that are more appealing. Using the right signifiers can mean a great deal in doing your user interface.
• Integration of legacy solutions is quite hard or impossible. A legacy solution is an outdated software that is still in use in some services. So, legacy solutions integration deals with the challenge of connecting APIs from both on-premises and over the cloud, in the attempt to bridge the division in the network. In order to drive the business, this integration takes on-premises system information, then leverages them into new systems. This can be quite a problem with legacy solutions. This is a bit hard or impossible because they are already outdated and may not keep up with the new systems.
• Scaling is limited. A business is considered scaling if they are setting the stage, enabling and supporting the company’s growth. It means that a company can grow without being hampered. But with the use of low-codes/no-codes, this can be considered otherwise. Since by nature, no-codes/low-codes already gap customization of enterprise solutions using user-friendly platforms, scaling is very limited. In essence, companies starting with the use of no-code/low-code tools are already setting up their stage for growth.

Difference Between Traditional Development and No-Code/Low-Code Development

The battle between these two development approaches may not be as massive in proportions as we expect it to be but is still equally interesting nonetheless. Here are the reasons why!

• Skill Set Needed – No-code/Low-code development requires none, while traditional development needs expertise in programming. Traditional development is completely manual with the use of codes. The IT team is entirely burdened because it is quite complicated. Meanwhile, no-code requires no special skills or even basic knowledge in programming. Basically, anyone can develop and customize apps.
• Time Consumed – Traditional methods take weeks or months, while you can do no-code/low-code development quickly. This is one of the most crucial factors in this comparison especially with today’s speed being at the utmost and of paramount importance. Aspects like delays and debugging are no longer pinpointed concerns because all happens very quickly. In a recent report from KPMG, 80% of projects shown were not delivered on time using traditional development. This is a great value in numbers and for sure, no business would want to experience this. 
• Cost Required – No-code approach is less costly than the traditional approach, which costs higher. The traditional approach costs much more because it requires more time of development effort. In addition, professional developers are also required to provide the same effort that keeps up with the high costs of development. But with no-code/low-code platforms, business users are enabled to build simple to complex custom applications of enterprise-grade via visual interface faster. So, the cost involved is much lesser compared to traditional development.
• Complexity Showcased – Both no-code and traditional development may or can showcase equal levels of complexity. 
• Security Assured – Both also have the security required for assurance and quality of the application.
• Agility Given – Traditional development is not as agile as no-code/low-code development in terms of change. A change in one step in traditional development can take days with the app not even working while changes are being made. This incident can surely sour customer experience and can eventually trigger them to change providers. But with no-code apps being highly agile, instant changes can be allowed without interference with the experience. In addition, the fact that they improve it allows the addition of features from needs and feedback from customers.
• Integration Done – No-code/low-code approach has integration done quickly, while the traditional approach is quite tricky and complicated. No-code/low-code integration can be easily done using readily available plugins and adapters. However, integration in traditional development requires codes and involves long periods of time. In addition, a lot of exchange in information is also needed from experts as the two systems are being integrated.
• Innovation Provided – In terms of innovation, no-code/low-code development can ensure innovation in the field, while traditional development offers little to no innovation. No-code makes innovation easier because you can free up time and give you the flexibility to simultaneously think and do implementations. This makes multitasking possible, greatly contributing to your desired success. With traditional development, innovation is usually rigid and complicated, not encouraging innovation in the process. Since the traditional approach takes a longer time to finish, innovating steps may not be helpful in the long run.

With everything tackled today and the different aspects of each approach, we can assume positively that the clear winner with evident growth and success is the No-Code/Low-Code Development Approach. This method brings home the proverbial bacon because it delivers everything the traditional approach does with additional sprinkled features that make it take the cake. With businesses now having the alternative to painstaking delays and expenses from the traditional development approach, going for the no-code/low-code method is now definitely a must! So, go for it now!

Final Thoughts

The differences between the traditional approach and in using no-code/low-code tools have their own strengths and weaknesses. If you are the patient type, why not try the traditional development method and discover wonders. If you are an adventure seeker and want things done in a snap, dip into the waters of no-code/low-code. With the fast-paced we are living in today, who knows what approach can be the best for our goals and businesses. What might work for others might not work for us, and vice versa. But whether you use the traditional or the no-code approach, one thing is important -trying. Without even trying any of these approaches, who won’t really know if it works or not, right? It is better to have tried and failed, tried again then succeeded than not to have tried at all. At the end of the day, it is us who will dictate our fate, and it is only up to us how we can make our business successful - and that is by trying. Good luck!