Citizen Developers: The Unexpected Heroes of the Digital Age

Forget capes and masks. The real heroes of the digital age might surprise you. They are called "citizen developers" - everyday business users empowered by Low Code/No Code (LC/NC) platforms to build solutions that streamline workflows, automate tasks, and solve problems without relying solely on IT departments. This rise of the citizen developer is a fascinating trend with far-reaching implications for the future of software development, fostering a culture of innovation and versatility within organizations of all sizes.

The reliance on skilled programmers and lengthy development cycles can hinder innovation and stifle the ability to bring ideas to life quickly. Enter the exciting world of Low-code/No-code (LCNC) development platforms, poised to revolutionize the industry by democratizing development and accelerating innovation. According to HCLSoftware Engineering Trends 2024 report, mastering LC/NC at the very start becomes important to lay a strong foundation for next-gen enterprises to become scalable, versatile and agile in a rapidly changing environment.

Democratization of development

Gartner predicts that by 2026, 80% of low-code users will be citizen developers, democratizing app development and making it more accessible across organizations. Low code and no code platforms offer intuitive interfaces and pre-built components that allow users to design, develop, and deploy applications with minimal or no coding required. While low code platforms provide some degree of customization through coding, no code platforms enable users to create fully functional applications using visual interfaces and drag-and-drop features. This accessibility democratizes the development process, empowering business users, citizen developers, and IT professionals alike to bring their ideas to life rapidly.

“Low Code, or even No Code, isn’t a recent phenomenon,” says Jason Gary - Vice President, Digital Solutions. “Since the onset of the microcomputer era, computer users have been leveraging whatever tools they have at their disposal to solve their business problems, especially if they are not software developers. Don’t believe me, consider this, the world’s most popular application development platform isn’t .net, Java, JavaScript, Python…its Microsoft Excel.”

Gary explains, “Excel and spreadsheet programs, in general, are fine for what they were designed for, allowing users to compute various numbers, see trends, and do “what if” estimates, but why are they so widely used for creating what is, in effect, software? Because in most corporate enterprises, there is usually no other alternative. Generally, users cannot install any new software that they want on their corporate computers as they are locked-down. If they need specialized software their IT staff might be able to create it, but it can then take months, perhaps even longer to get delivered. So, corporate users work with what they have. This is where Low / No-Code platforms step in to fill this spreadsheet-dominated void.”

The technology will continue to evolve and mature in 2024, with several factors shaping the landscape. Here are a few LC/NC trends to watch this year –

• Specialized platforms: Development of LC/NC platforms tailored to specific industries or use cases.
• Data analysis and visualization: Increased use of LC/NC tools for data analysis and creating visualizations.
• Rapid prototyping: Utilizing LC/NC for rapid prototyping and MVP development.
• Security and governance: Improved security and governance features within LC/NC platforms.
• Integration with other technologies: Building more sophisticated and intelligent applications with AI & ML integrations.

A common misconception about LC/NC is that it's solely about reducing development costs. While cost-efficiency is a benefit, the true value lies in its ability to bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions.  By empowering business users to actively participate in the development process, LC/NC ensures that applications are directly addressing real-world business problems. This fosters better communication and collaboration between business and IT, ultimately leading to the creation of software solutions that deliver tangible business value.

How HCLSoftware empowers everyone to build apps (even you!)

With the ever-evolving software landscape, businesses need solutions that are flexible, adaptable and built for speed. HCLSoftware is at the forefront of this revolution, offering a robust suite of LCNC tools that bridge the gap between business vision and digital reality. HCLSW’s intuitive, user friendly platforms empower both technical and non-technical users to collaborate seamlessly, accelerating innovation and streamlining workflows.

• HCL Leap allows users, not engineers, to create their applications in the platform using simple commands and understandable options, all with drag-and-drop.
• HCL’s Volt MX, offers a way to achieve a full lifecycle of an application. An app started in HCL Leap by a non-programmer can be transitioned to Volt MX where a professional software developer using the innovative features of Volt MX can take the successful Low Code application to the next level.
• VoltFormula, a new revolutionary formulaic programming language by HCL, makes those spreadsheet jockeys that build their “apps” in Excel feel right at home in HCL’s products. A non-programmer can write in a formula language they already know and where there are millions of examples available, and at the same time, the professional coder can see the code and tweak it and make changes when necessary; low code to pro code all in an easy but powerful programming language.

These platforms empower users at all skill levels by offering intuitive, spreadsheet-like experiences with underlying robust technology like VoltFormula and integrating AI capabilities. Gary remarks, “AI is another area where HCLSoftware is leading the way in Low Code. Imagine creating your app just by expressing what you want conversationally. Build a form, a view, a validation not by using code but by asking for what you want. When the AI is done, and you want to tweak the language, the AI tooling uses VoltFormula, which looks and feels just like Excel. It is simple and easy for the non-programmer.”

Low-code/no-code isn't a fad; it's a fundamental shift in how we build software. As these platforms mature and AI integration deepens, the possibilities are limitless. We can expect even more citizen developers creating innovative solutions, and professional developers focusing on complex functionalities. The future of software development is a collaborative landscape, empowering businesses to bridge the innovation gap at an unprecedented pace.