Building Apps Without Code | Tara Reed | TEDxDetroit

As a non-technical founder, Tara Reed built Kollecto's app without writing a single line of code. Tara frequently blogs about how to 'build without code' and has inspired hundreds of non-technical to founders to launch their own apps, using what she calls a 'code-free toolkit'.

Tara Reed is a Detroit based entrepreneur & the CEO of fast-growing startup, Kollecto. Prior to launching Kollecto, Tara drove software marketing initiatives at Google, Foursquare, & Microsoft.

[Ofa]

This was so Inspiring. There are developers who are commenting that this is "bad advice" because it doesn't take into consideration all that could go wrong if you don't know how to use code, which is why you so desperately need an actual app developer. This is (and still is) the same argument that website designers had re the use of software programs that allow you to design and build your own site from scratch or using templates. Website building software is now simple and a huge industry. I absolutely applaud this young woman. I'm one of those people who designed my website, had a ton of fun doing it and learned a new skill. Now I'm quite interested in creating apps. Technology is becoming more accessible to non tech people, and Tara Reed is among the many who is informing and spreading the word. So Exciting!

[bakerdude]

App building is still about coding. A software developer still had to write the code for those toolkits. And building an app still requires an understanding application logic, so a knowledge of coding really helps.

[thedroidschool]

I have to say I had low expectations of this Ted talk but WOW. I was way wrong. I took away several key points from this talk and actually started doing mockups of my app now that I am free of having to have it perfect before I make it. Thank you for making this! It was VERY liberating to hear it's okay to cobble together something that works from things like IFTTT. THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

[florianwurmseer]

As a software developer with a lot of UI driven development experience I watch this more as amusement. As systems become more complex, learning the code frameworks, writing the code and debugging is always easier and faster than doing the same with UI code builders. Especially as you can show code examples in a twitter comment where as for UI tool explanations must include many screenshots.

[jeavoncampbell]

I appreciate that she made a point of not allowing automation to get ahead of the process of getting into tech

[minhquando]

From my perspective, you can do what she says and build an app, I have no doubts about that. However, when you string together multiple platforms like that it becomes a lot harder to develop new features because now you have to spend time searching and manipulating tools and information from multiple platforms. Not to mention if something goes wrong it's a lot harder to troubleshoot the problem because you have to spend more time to figure out which platform is causing the problem. The comparison would be like how SpaceX produces their rockets vs how NASA does it. By developing most of their rockets' components in-house, they were able to save a lot of money and were able to achieve much better performance and troubleshoot much quicker. NASA on the other hand strung together contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc to manufacture the parts. Even though it worked well at first, it ramped up the costs and took much longer to build the rockets. So I would still argue that if you can build your website or app platform from the ground up, it will take more effort up front but it will pay dividends in the long run.

[richfuturebydsk]

Thank you Tara ... I found about you on Tedx talks, You have inspired me to built my own app and software company. I am going to invest time and money on it! Keep up the good work... M from South Africa

[sn]

fortunately, we are the programmers who build these things for you . 😌💛

[edumalafaia]

I created my own app based in an idea I had 2 years ago, using "Kodular". Its the first app dedicated to my business area. 2 years ago I laughed about my own ambition. Today (01/01/21) I uploaded my app on google play and I am already thinking to publish in more languages.

[marvinsamuels]

That was a great watch. I’ve tried learning code to develop a couple of app ideas, but it’s not my strength (I’m a test manager by trade), so I’ve been looking at alternative approaches to make my ideas a reality. It’s inspiring to see there are these types of alternative options.

[zoegigi]

Girl I hope you see this 😭 you motivated me so much I got so excited I started crying and I’m not a cryer hahaha but you made me realize that it’s possible for me to do this all in my own and I have this idea stuck in my head I can’t think about anything else and I should cause I’m a Med student I have other stuff to do for sure but forget my exams for now I’m gonna do it !!!! Thank you 💜💜💜 Sending so much love

[oskarkrogsgard]

Building apps using spreadsheets and surveys. Sound fast and optimized

[melvinstinson]

I just started to learn how to code and I see it's going to take quite a bit of time to learn it. I want to eventually create my own app. It's refreshing to know I have an alternative. Great Stuff... would like to here MORE!

[francismiyoba]

As a programmer this isn't what i should be watching

[schrodingerscat]

learning to code is better than learning how to control somebody else's widgets on a platform

[ilqoqcn]

Seems like you'll need to write code eventually if you want an app that isn't just cobbled together from other peoples services. What if one of the services you're using no longer exists? Then your app would no longer work.

[branhamchima]

This is a wonderful piece. Bigly inspiring. Thank You.

[charleskenney]

this is so painful to watch from a developer stand point

[kennefoma]

All these depends on who the client is and what part of the world you find your self in. Here I Africa companies can hardly spend $3000 for a properly built application in this case what do would you as a developer do??
Some developers turn to use no code tools for applications and websites because the financial resources to build systems from the ground up is simply not available, only way out is to come up with a working version of the app.

[bukowski]

4 years later it’s been an amazing year of 2020 and what she said is almost true. The ability of building an app is a necessity.