No Code App Development is a Trap

No-code app development is a trap, and I fell right into it! Losing hundreds of dollars in the process. Here’s my somewhat tragic(?) story of how I got scammed by the promises of no-code platforms.

#nocode #softwareengineer #appdevelopment

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:06 How I got scammed
01:56 Lot’s of people are having issues with no code
05:31 Why is No code a Trap?

[pythonantole]

One advantage of no code tools is that it has created many jobs. I'm a freelancer and about 20% of my gigs todays are in fixing or rebuilding apps that were built using no code tools. It's either it doesnt work as expected, or some function stops working because the client forgot to renew some subscription or that the no code provider no longer exists. The more no code tools they release the happier i am.

[xtactic]

I have NEVER, in 18 years developing products, found a no code platform that we didn't have to go and develop components, customisation, special parameters, you name it. PoC? OK. Go ahead with no code. Simple landing page or personal site? OK as well. My personal experience with any use case other than these ones is bad!

[danielgriffiths]

Agreed. Senior engineer here - would never encourage a no code solution. Props to you for exploring and trying to figure it out - it’s a valuable lesson for everyone

[hermes]

0:58 Flutter is a framework, Dart is the language.

Apart from that, yes, no code is a trap.
It always has been, and probably will be for many years to come.

[glidegrid]

I've always wanted to hear someone speaking about this.

[ldandco]

No code platforms provide a limited set of functionality predefined.
Is pretty much a template.
The moment you step out of the "template", your run into customizations which can rapidly become chaos integrating with the said "template"

[kinsondigital]

I am a very experienced developer, and my advice to people is to avoid no-code solutions. I think they are a fallacy. If you are serious about creating software, you are much better off putting in the time and learning how to code and other related development processes.

[DrLightMDDJ]

Don't let anyone tell you 'no-code'. Low code yes, I've been working with Microsoft Power Apps (canvas apps) for several years now and have had great success. No issues scaling, but it does take code! To do anything more complex than a basic CRUD app you will need (or need to learn) development experience.

[gaiustacitus]

IBM Visual Age was a 98% completion product. The missing 2% would take a team of programmers many years to complete. Every time IBM was asked when the missing features would be added and critical issues resolved, the answer was always 18 to 24 months.

[jeteloriaga]

Thanks a bunch for this! You confirm my suspicions without me having to suffer thru the process.

[waltermelo]

The problem with no-code is that they sell it for non-technical people and each of them have their own learning curve. and other problem is that. no-code actually doesn' t exists. it's all low-code.
I work with Webflow, and everytime I'm doing some simple javascript. Low code has their merits and it's a powerful tool in the hands of a specialist. but you need to learn how to deal with each one limitations.

[dera_ng]

Hi, informative

Just a very (probably insignificant pick)...
The language is *Dart*
The app development framework is *Flutter*

[patrickpuma]

The problem with nocode is you absolutely need to know what you need to do before you start and you need to determine which nocode tool will actually fit your needs. Each tool has different abilities and shortfalls. No code has made me a king in my career. When I need something custom I just code it myself. No code can take 5 minutes to do what code takes a week.

[tibuigerard]

I have basic idea of coding and I've been using bubble for well over 5 years. I think it depends on what u are building. I have had some hurdles to overcome when customizing but overall my experience has been good.I have built at least 15 apps both for clients and myself.

[theradstream]

I think the point is that you can iterate faster on no code so you learn more about the problem that you’re solving in a shorter amount of time.

If you know exactly what you’re building and you know how to code…..sure, use code.

On scalability, you’re going to rebuild your app a bunch as you scale regardless of what stack you use…again unless you know exactly what you’re building from the jump.

All of these are tools at the end of the day, you need to choose the right one for the job.

But I also agree with you that No Code marketing makes it seem like it solves all the world's problems.

[juangutierrez]

Low code is powerful when leveraged correctly. As a developer, it is a fast way to build and get experience gathering requirements, managing projects, and establishing clients. This experience is valuable as you move to the next step of coding in languages like Javascript and html or platforms such as React, Django, etc.... As a consumer, the reality is that no platform is perfect. Advanced code platforms are costly and slow to deliver and upgrade. They tend to focus on major projects also. This is why Low code rapid application development exists and is valuable. Apps are built faster, centralizing data inputs and automating reporting. These apps typically fulfill a small departmental need and eventually become so valuable that they graduate to big-time platforms and languages. Smart companies recognize this natural need and hire both no code and advanced code developers. If you are just learning to code and want a lowcode job to get experience, the key is to pick the right low code platform. My recommendation would be the Power platform. Thrive!

[bzouchir]

Great and honest review ... No code is like:
Make a cake... without learning how to cook
Go places... without learning how to walk
Build a house.. without touching a brick
Bring ideas to life... without learning how to do nor think

a get-code-quick scheme sounds alarmingly similar to get-rich-quick scheme... they all get you 10% of the way and leave you there..

[CodingWithAuryn]

Love your summary and your story telling. Thanks for your experience with flutter flow, this probably saves me some headache.

[axeo]

The main use case for no/low code is the "citizen developer" that wants to put forms and lists over a spreadsheet and create more of an "app" for internal use.

[MelwynTurbant]

Can you show us the features you couldn't create with nocode?