Admin Web UI and Web UI & IDE Plugin: Comparing Low Code Platforms Capabilities
In this Article:
2.2. Advantages
2.3. Disadvantages
2.4. What for?
3.2. Advantages
3.3. Disadvantages
3.4. What for?
What is a low code platform for you? For me, it’s a sort of development environment where you design a new product by using a drag & drop feature or add some effort to configure templates by coding.
No matter how to explain the low code tools operation, their application became mainstream in recent years. Gartner calls it first-rate technology nowadays. Experts report that the expected low code market value in 2022 will be $14 bln.
However, low-code platforms are not magic wands. They are not versatile. All of them have different functionality and purpose. So it’s not enough to purchase a subscription and wait for a miracle. Businesses should choose a low code tool that will match their goals and strategies to use it efficiently.
I highlighted core details you should consider when making a choice. Scroll down to discover the difference between two core types of low code platforms: web UI-based and web UI & IDE (integrated development environment) plugin.
Low Code Platform With Admin Web UI
Definition & features
Admin UI or old good drug & drop feature helps companies and entrepreneurs build simple solutions or web portals using an interface and ready-made templates. No line of code. Anyone willing to try product creation can do it effortlessly.
Advantages
Simplicity & Work Optimization
The core advantage of web UI is its simplicity, but just when a project is simple, too. It’s clear for both business- and tech-side specialists. Such an approach is a solution for different corporate issues. Each department designs software to optimize its job. This way, non-tech side employees can gain new experience. Meanwhile, engineers and developers can deal with much more crucial business tasks.
Fast Time2Market
Frequently, simple web UI-based products don’t need significant effort for creating and deep testing. It cuts the development circle to a few days or even hours. Companies can launch such tools to improve employee and client experiences quickly.
Disadvantages
Limited Functionality
No room for a unique vision and creativity. UI capabilities limit the low code platform functionality. The more opportunities this platform provides you, the more complex the web UI is. In both cases, it’s not convenient. The process is super-glued to a vendor’s will, and users can’t retreat from the UI designer’s idea.
Low Scalability
Usually, web UI-based solutions can’t cope with an outrageous amount of requests simultaneously. They’re just not designed for it. Web UI-based low code platform is able to produce only simple solutions. As the load increases, users may encounter difficulties.
Vendor Lock
Often, such platforms don’t allow “jewelry customization”. It’s impossible to change a solution following business needs or dynamic market conditions. It’s impossible to build something new based on the source code. And yes, no custom improvements. Meanwhile, any platform updates from the vendor side can affect a product you’ve designed.
What for?
Despite significant drawbacks, admin UI low code platforms are suitable for all businesses (especially for small and mid-sized) because of their simplicity and availability. They are comparatively affordable. They help people create full-fledged products without coding. Anyway, these platforms are powerless for complex projects.
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Low Code Platform With Web UI & Integrated Development Environment
Definition & features
Platforms with web UI & IDE plugin or a combined low code software also operate with the drag & drop feature. Meanwhile, it requires a basic knowledge of programming from users. Companies apply such tools to build customized and complex solutions.
Advantages
Proper Customization
Developers are too skeptical of no-code/ low code platforms that don’t need coding. It’s reasonable. Users should change a part of the templates’ source code to adapt it to current business conditions.
A plugin allows developers to customize templates in the way they are used to. Tech-side specialists can organize the design process by applying the common practice of development and versioning.
Higher Abilities
When we talk about more complex solutions, it also comes to their broader capabilities. Products designed with web UI & IDE plugin are much more scalable, flexible, and integrated. That’s why they can support businesses in different projects like legacy migration or digital transformation.
Ability to Test a Full-Fledged MVP
Complicated solutions should be tested and validated before their development. The plugin allows companies to create a prototype to discover whether it is worth investing in further steps. MVP creation with combined low code platforms can take a shocking 4 weeks depending on a project scale.
Open Source
Usually, one of the biggest challenges for low code platform users is a vendor lock - no ability to change the source code following business conditions. Meanwhile, some development environments, like the XME.fast code platform, provide an audience with an open-source feature. It allows developers to configure the codebase, make regular custom updates, and even take a source code as a fundament for further solutions. Users are independent of vendors.
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Disadvantages
Knowledge of Basics of Programming
These platforms are not suitable for everyone, as working with them requires some coding. But vendors also adapt them to any business needs. For example, developers, business analysts, or other employees who know the basics of Java programming can apply the XME.fast code platform.
The Necessity of Additional Software Application
Developers usually use IntelliJ IDEA as a catalyst for software development with combined low code platforms. It will be arduous to create an efficient solution without work experience with additional products.
What for?
It’s suitable for a business that needs a custom product without development from scratch. It requires the involvement of engineers, developers, or other people who know the basics of programming. Because of an open-source feature, companies can completely change the source code and independently regulate the frequency and nature of updates, making solutions adaptable to the business environment.
You may also like: Enterprise Low Code Platform Usage: Facts And Cases
The Bottom Line
Low code platforms are efficient when businesses know how to apply them. Dig deeper into market offers to discover what development environment would suit your company.
Let us know if you need to design a well-integrated, scalable, and complex solution. Our experts will advise you on creating effective software in a tight schedule with the XME.fast code platform.