No-code solutions give non-technical users the ability to easily create fully-fledged web and mobile apps using visual development tools and a graphical user interface. Instead of having to write lines of code, all users have to do is drag-and-drop the different elements of the app into a layout and add functionality using the options that the platform provides.
In the last few years, no-code platforms like Bubble, Adalo, Softr, Glide and Betty Blocks have not only seen a rapid increase in new users, but existing users have also been spending more time on these platforms.
This is not surprising since demand for custom app development continues to increase year after year, and these sophisticated no-code tools make creating an app look as easy as creating a blog or a website using a WYSIWYG site builder.
No-Code Does Not Mean No Limits
No-code platforms excel at making it easy for non-developers to design user interfaces and application workflows. They also have the ability to read and update databases so your slick looking app can also accept user inputs and return results, which is what most people are looking to accomplish when developing an app.
However, when using no-code platforms, you’re also limited by the tools that are given to you. Although these platforms strive to offer as many tools as possible to be able to cater to most use cases, it’s simply impossible for them to have a solution for every scenario.
The ‘missing link’ that most no-code users have trouble with is the middle layer that exists in between the UI and the database. Many no-code users hit a roadblock once they need to add complex calculations and business logic to their app.
If you want to manipulate the data a user inputs and perform complex calculations with it, you’ll need to comb through the documentation to find out if what you want to do is even possible, and then figure out how to use the tools that are available to get it to work the way you want. Alternatively, you can also find a suitable plugin that has the functionality that you’re looking for.
For example, if you want to create a relatively simple app that can compute monthly payments you’ll need more than just basic math.