Low-code is developing software in a visual environment where you click most of it together but add your own code where needed. It sits between no-code (clicking only) and custom development (programming everything); Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate are well-known examples.
Low-code in practice
Low-code becomes interesting the moment no-code starts to pinch: you want a custom input screen, a calculation that doesn't fit standard blocks or a connection to a system without a ready-made building block. With a bit of code in the right place, the rest stays visual and quick to adjust.
The point of attention is the same as with any form of development: an application is created that has to be maintained, with an owner, documentation and version control. Treat a serious low-code app as software, not as a handy macro. The trade-off per process is set out in Business process automation: the best tools.
Related terms
- No-code — No-code is building software or automating processes without programming: you click applications, flows or websites together in a visual environment.
- Workflow automation — Workflow automation is running consecutive process steps automatically based on an event: an order comes in, and the invoice is created, the customer is emailed and inventory is updated — without manual steps in between.
- iPaaS — iPaaS (integration Platform as a Service) is a cloud service that lets you connect software systems without building or hosting integration software yourself.