No-code development platform

No-code development platforms (NCDPs) allow creating application software through graphical user interfaces and configuration instead of traditional computer programming based on writing code.

As with low-code development platforms, it is meant to expedite application development,^[1] but unlike low-code, no-code development involves no code writing. This is usually done by offering prebuilt templates for building apps.^[2] In the 2010s, both of these types of platforms increased in popularity as companies dealt with a limited supply of competent software developers.^[3]

No-code development is closely related to visual programming languages.^[4]

Use

No-code tools are often designed with line of business users in mind as opposed to traditional IT.

The potential benefits of using a NCDP include:

Agility - NCDPs typically provide some degree of templated user-interface and user experience functionality for common needs such as forms, workflows, and data display allowing creators to expedite parts of the app creation process.^[5]
Richness - NCDPs which at one point were limited to more basic application functions increasingly provide a level of feature-richness and integrations that allows users to design, develop, and deploy apps that meet specific business needs.^[6]

Future of workflow automation

No-code platforms are reshaping software development by democratizing access to automation and application building. As AI-driven automation advances, no-code solutions are expected to handle more sophisticated workflows, reducing reliance on traditional coding. This shift fosters innovation across industries, making software creation more accessible to businesses and individuals alike.^[7]