Anybody interested in the future of software and how we will interact with computers a few years from now will have come across something called "no-code" platforms-with or without the hyphen. No-Code isn't just the future; it's available in the present.
What Is No-Code?
At its simplest, no-code is exactly what it sounds like: Programming without using code-no matter if that means websites, mobile apps, full programs, or even just scripts, according to HowtoGeek.
This means that anybody, even clueless tech writers, can create something online or on their laptop and can reasonably assume it will work.
No-code is often hailed as the future of coding, especially by the companies that offer it, and terms like "democratization of the internet" and "anybody can be a maker" are thrown around in their advertorials. However, there is some truth to these assertions.
A few years ago, if you had an idea for a really good game, app, or another program, the only way to bring it to life was to either know how to code (and pray you knew the right programming language) or be willing to learn on the fly. If you had money, there was another option: Hire somebody to do it for you. That was pretty much it.
That's no longer true: now, instead of learning a whole programming language (or even several), you only need to learn how a single program works before you can work on whatever inspiration hit you.
While you'll still need to be persistent and hard-working, the burden of technical knowledge has been lightened substantially, according to CodeBots.
How No-Code Tools Work
That brings us to something that isn't talked about as much: Although no-code tools make it easier to put together a program or website, they do not make it effortless.
Even the simplest of tools will require that you figure out how they work, and often you'll also need to understand a little about how tech works. One example is knowing how the internet operates when putting together a website.
That said, it's still a lot easier than putting together a program from scratch, even if you don't factor in the time and effort it takes to learn how to program.
Instead of using a command-line interface or IDE with its colored text, most no-code tools will instead use a drag-and-drop interface, or word placement like you may remember from school.
However you enter the information, what is happening is that the no-code tool is turning your simplified input into "real" code on the backend, kind of like an interpreter.
You may not speak Python or C++ or whatever programming language your type of program needs, but your interpreter does, according to WebFlow.
Examples of No-Code Platforms
The above may still seem a little abstract, so let's go over some examples of no-code platforms so you get an idea of what they can do.
Probably some of the most popular no-code tools are website builders. Many individuals and small businesses have put up their own simple sites using a service like Wix or Squarespace, something which was unthinkable even just a decade ago. Back then, you needed to know HTML and CSS at the very least.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sophie Webster
