Traditional computer programming has a high learning curve and requires knowing a programming language, such as C/C++, Java, or Python, in order to create a simple application, such as a calculator or Tic-Tac-Toe game. Programming also demands extensive debugging abilities, which can annoy novices. The required study time, effort, and experience frequently prevent non-programmers from creating software from scratch.
No-code is a method of programming websites, mobile apps, and games without the use of codes, scripts, or command sets. Visual cues facilitate learning, which led to the development of “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) document and multimedia editors in the 1970s. WYSIWYG editors enable you to edit a document as it would appear in its final form. In the 1990s, the notion was applied to software development.
There are numerous no-code development platforms that enable programmers and non-programmers to create software via drag-and-drop graphical user interfaces as opposed to traditional line-by-line coding. For instance, a user can drag and drop a label into a website. The no-code platform will display the label’s appearance and generate its HTML code. The majority of no-code development platforms provide templates or modules that enable anyone to create applications.
Early times
Websites were the most familiar interface to users in the 1990s. However, developing a website requires HTML code and script-based programming, which is difficult for a non-programmer. This resulted in the release of the first no-code platforms, such as Microsoft FrontPage and Adobe Dreamweaver, to assist non-programmers in creating websites.
Following the WYSIWYG philosophy, non-programmers can drag and drop website components such as labels, text boxes, and buttons without having to use HTML code. In addition to editing websites locally, these technologies assisted users in uploading the created websites to remote web servers, a crucial step in making a website accessible online.
However, the webpages built by these editors were fundamental static sites. There were no advanced features, such as database connectivity or user authentication.
Website development
Numerous current no-code website-building systems, such as Bubble, Wix, WordPress, and GoogleSites, have eliminated the deficiencies of the earliest no-code website builders. Bubble allows users to define a workflow in order to develop the interface. A workflow consists of actions initiated by an event. For instance, the current game state is saved to a file when the user clicks the save button (the event) (the series of actions).
Wix has introduced an HTML5 site builder with a collection of website layouts. Wix also enables modules, such as data analysis of visitor data such as contact information, messages, transactions, and bookings, booking assistance for hotels and vacation rentals, and a platform for independent musicians to market and sell their music.
WordPress was first designed for individual blogs. Since then, support for forums, membership sites, learning management systems, and online stores has been added. Similar to WordPress, GoogleSites enables users to construct websites with embedded Google services, like YouTube, Google Maps, Google Drive, calendar, and online office apps.
Video games and mobile applications
In addition to website builders, there are no-code platforms for the development of games and mobile apps. The platforms are intended for designers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts who lack game development and technical expertise.
GameMaker offers a user interface with integrated editors for raster graphics, game level design, scripting, pathways, and “shades” for depicting light and shadow. GameMaker is primarily designed for 2D graphics and 2D skeleton animations.
Buildbox is a tool for creating 3D games without coding. Buildbox’s primary features are the picture drop wheel, the asset bar, the option bar, the collision editor, the scene editor, the physics simulation, and even monetization choices. Users get access to a library of game materials, sound effects, and animations while using Buildbox. Additionally, Buildbox users can construct the game’s story. The user can then adjust game characters, environmental parameters such as weather and time of day, and the user interface. In addition, they may animate items, incorporate video advertisements, and export their games to many platforms, including PCs and mobile devices.
Minecraft and SimCity can be viewed as tools for creating virtual worlds without using code.
Future of no-code
In a time of growing demand for software development, no-code platforms enable to boost the number of developers. No-code is becoming prevalent in industries such as e-commerce, education, and healthcare.
I anticipate that no-code will also play a larger part in artificial intelligence. The training of machine-learning models, the core of artificial intelligence, involves time, effort, and expertise. No-code programming can reduce the amount of time required to train these models, making it easier to apply AI for a variety of purposes. For example, one no-code AI technology allows nonprogrammers to construct chatbots, something that would have been impossible even a few years ago.