No-Code's Identity Crisis: Meet Visual Development
Oh great, another keyword to add to your Google Ads.
The No-Code/Low-Code movement has always been about one thing: accessibility. It promised to open up the world of app and automation development to non-technical users, democratizing innovation. But as these platforms gained traction, they also picked up some unfortunate stereotypes: oversimplified, non-flexible, and only suitable for small-scale projects and MVPs.
And while you’ve all been sleeping, there’s a new sheriff in town - Visual Development.
Ah, visual development.
It rolls off the tongue like a fancy appetizer at a startup networking event - deliciously pretentious but ultimately unsatisfying. Let's be honest: while ‘visual development’ sounds important and innovative, it’s not the biggest issue in our playground. The core problems lie deeper, buried under layers of stereotype and false expectation.
No-Code has two real enemies (and its name is not one of them).
1. Programmers Who Underestimate It
The Professional Developers, the gatekeepers of the tech kingdom. These folks will spend seventy hours hunched over their desks, watching a YouTube tutorial called ‘Ultimate C# Course’ just to build a calculator project. Then, they roll their eyes and with all the confidence, point a finger at No-Code and scoff, ‘That’s not real development!’
Oh, what? While you were watching your tutorial, a non-technical user just launched an entire app in a few hours using a No-Code platform? Yet, somehow, you’re still not taking it seriously? Sounds a bit rich coming from someone who needs to Google how to write a do-while loop.
You might want to reconsider your stance before the ground shifts beneath your feet. Instead of viewing No-Code as a threat, consider it an opportunity to complement your skill set. The real innovation isn’t in the code (or lack of it) - it’s in the solutions that emerge when more people can contribute to the conversation.
2. No-Code Developers Who Overestimate It
Let’s hit the brakes for a second, shall we? Just because you can build a digital solution in record time doesn’t mean you fully grasp the complexities of user experience, scalability, or data management. Often, they (actually, we) can fall into the trap of thinking that the lack of traditional coding means a lack of critical thinking. They forget that good development - whether coded or visual - requires a solid understanding of the underlying principles.
In the rush to build, they might neglect key elements like security and data management. This can lead to flashy features without any real substance.
Ignoring coding concepts altogether? That's a one way to limit yourself. Learning your way with JavaScript and SQL can elevate your game to levels you never thought possible.
Is it No-Code? No, it’s a stone laying on a road.
But it lays there without a single line of code.
The No-Code label has lost its meaning. Everything is No-Code unless it has code, right? So is my plant pot?
Just look at the landscape. Suddenly, Mailchimp, Hubspot and Typeform are No-Code tools (the marketing machine behind this term is working overtime). In the same logic, so are Microsoft Excel, Google Forms and PowerPoint, right? I am not the gatekeeping type, but labeling every user-friendly tool under the sun as No-Code, it loses its significance.
Instead of confusing the conversation further, we need to recognize that No-Code is a distinct movement, built on the foundation of empowering users to create without barriers. This is the point where I would agree to bring a new term in. Rather than overshadowing No-Code, it should clarify the distinctions between old-school solutions and the new wave of innovation.
(But the moment I hear another form builder being called a Visual Development tool, I’m out.)
The problem with Visual Development term
Well, it already exists. Visual Development is the art of creating the look, feel, and mood of an animation project. These artists dive deep into designing immersive environments, carefully choosing color palettes that evoke emotion, and sketching characters that resonate with the story.
And then, here we are, with our half-baked Bubble apps, claiming the term because it kinda sounds similar to what we do. Out of all the possible names, we choose Visual Development, only causing more confusion for both us, and the people who have been using it for years? All while we have a real chance to give it the name it deserves?
Here are some better candidates I suggest:
Click-and-Pray
Drag-and-Hope
Build-and-Break
Guess-and-Stress
In all seriousness, we stand at a pivotal moment where No-Code and Visual Development can either clash or collaborate. It’s a dance of definitions, and frankly, we can’t afford to step on our own toes. Don’t let the tools, who have been proudly riding the No-Code horse for marketing purposes for years, throw dust in your eyes with ‘visual development’. Hold them (and yourself) accountable for pushing the movement forward, whatever its name is.
Cheers to clarity in the chaos!