Low-code vs code

Published in December 2020

Low-code development has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it promises to speed up the development process and reduce the need for highly skilled programmers. However, while low-code development can be an effective way to build applications quickly, it also has its drawbacks, especially in the Salesforce world with Lightning flows.

In this blog post, we'll explore some of the disadvantages of the low-code approach, specifically in the Salesforce world with Lightning flows.

• Limited Customization Options: One of the biggest disadvantages of the low-code approach is the limited customization options available. With low-code platforms like Lightning flows, developers are limited to a pre-defined set of building blocks and components, making it difficult to create highly customized or complex applications. This can be frustrating for developers who are used to working with traditional programming languages, where they have much more control over the development process.

• Limited Flexibility :Another disadvantage of the low-code approach is the limited flexibility of the platform. With traditional programming languages, developers have complete control over the code, allowing them to make changes as needed. However, with low-code platforms like Lightning flows, developers are limited to the functionality provided by the platform, making it difficult to make changes or customize the application beyond the platform's capabilities.

• Debugging and Testing Issues: Debugging and testing low-code applications can be a challenge. With traditional programming languages, developers can use debugging tools to pinpoint issues in the code. However, with low-code platforms like Lightning flows, debugging and testing can be more difficult due to the limited visibility into the underlying code.

• Vendor Lock-In: Another disadvantage of the low-code approach is the risk of vendor lock-in. Low-code platforms like Lightning flows are designed to be easy to use, but they also tend to be proprietary and can lock you into a specific vendor's ecosystem. This can limit your flexibility and make it difficult to switch to a different platform or vendor down the line.

• Security and Compliance Issues: Low-code platforms like Lightning flows often rely on pre-built components and integrations to speed up the development process. However, this can also create security and compliance issues if these components are not properly vetted and tested. This can be especially problematic for companies that are subject to strict regulatory requirements, such as those in the healthcare or finance industries.

In conclusion, while low-code development can be an effective way to build applications quickly, it also has its disadvantages, especially in the Salesforce world with Lightning flows. Limited customization options, limited flexibility, debugging and testing issues, vendor lock-in, and security and compliance issues are all potential pitfalls of the low-code approach. It's important for developers to carefully consider these drawbacks before deciding whether to use low-code platforms like Lightning flows in their development projects.