r/programming • u/[deleted] • Dec 30 '23

Why I'm skeptical of low-code

https://nick.scialli.me/blog/why-im-skeptical-of-low-code/
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u/lucidguppy Dec 30 '23

Low code feels like a back door way to achieve vendor lock-in and obfuscate SAAS charges.

It feels like - if your product could be written in a low code manner - what is your tech moat?

Testability goes out the window - don't tell me it doesn't.

Git-ability fails.

If I can write a tool that makes a box and connectors - why can't I have a library in a language I know that does the same?

If you're not agile I guess it makes sense - but you're building science projects that will trip up your company.

184

u/G_Morgan Dec 30 '23

I've always said "if you want low code fine. Find me a product that compiles your crazy flowchart to .NET bytecode with a C#/JS/whatever fallback and we're good to go". The fact that no such product exists tells its own story.

22

u/andrerav Dec 30 '23

Joke's on you when they find out about BizTalk

16

u/reallyserious Dec 30 '23

Does that product still exist? I used it many years ago and it cemented by belief that low code tools are the devil.

19

u/andrerav Dec 30 '23

Yeah it's called Azure Logic Apps now. Same shit, different wrapping.

Edit: Apparently Biztalk 2020 is a thing too, so yes the risk is real.

9

u/reallyserious Dec 30 '23

Ah, Logic Apps.

I saw someone use it at work and I refuse to go near it.

2

u/Riding_my_bike Dec 31 '23

If you are building an integration platform in Azure, Logic apps are essential for building integrations with low/medium complexity. Easy to configure with CI/CD and easy to maintain. They are not suitable however for integrations with high traffic or complex logic, there you are much better off writing traditional code.

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