Recent years made no-code web development easier and accessible to almost everyone. However, is it better to use no-code platforms instead of learning a programming language?
Premise
A web programming language is a programming language used to build and create websites and web applications. These programming languages offer the developer, the possibility to create a dynamic website customizable.
On the other hand, no-code tools are online development platforms that offer users the possibility to create websites and web applications without writing any code, a sort of visual approach to programming. These tools offer a lot of prebuilt-in functionalities that the user can usually drag and drop in a visual workspace.
Pro & Cons
Learning a web-related programming language offers a lot of positives and negatives, some of which are:
Total control over the code: someone who learns and uses a web programming language has total control over what he creates, without being limited by the default functionalities of no-code tools. This can mean that the applications or websites can easily be modified to the needs of the client;
Scalability: websites or web apps created with code can be easily modified and adapted to accommodate a growing user base;
Market Demand: web programming skills are increasingly in demand in the job market. This means that learning a web programming language can be a beneficial investment for those looking to pursue a career in the IT sector;
Improvement of Problem-Solving Skills: Programming requires logical thinking and solving complex problems. This can help enhance problem-solving skills in general;
Learning curve: learning a programming language takes time and effort, and it can also bring frustration (above all at the beginning);
Costs: learning courses or other resources for a programming language can cost a lot;
Daily-changing Technologies: programming languages and technologies can change every day so you need to keep up with the updates;
However, no-code tools can have the same advantages and disadvantages:
Accessibility: no-code tools are accessible to everyone, so even someone who hasn't got experience with programming can create a website/web application by himself;
Velocity: no-code development is faster than code one due to the vast prebuilt-in tools and components;
Limitations: no-code tools offer limited functionalities and customization compared to coded websites;
Lock-In: no-code tools usually do not offer the possibility to export the code;
Market Demand
The demand for qualified software and web developers is constantly increasing. According to a Stack Overflow study, the demand for web developers has increased by 20% in 2022. This trend is estimated to continue for years.
So, learning a web-related programming language can be an advantage for those who are looking for a job in the IT sector.
Which choice is the best?
There isn't a "best choice", it depends on some factors:
Experience: if you have already some experience with programming I suggest you go for programming languages. However, if you are starting out, I suggest you try no-code tools and slowly transition to code-based development;
Needs: if you opt for creating a complex website or web app, you should go for the code! However, if you need to create a simple application to start out or something that you can instantly use, go for a no-code tool;
Budget: learning a programming language opens a variety of courses and resources online, which are usually well-paid.
Conclusions
So, this was my opinion. Essentially, I think code-based development is much better than no-code platforms for someone who wants to become a developer and get a job as one. However, if you have the necessity to create something instantly useful and very simple, I suggest going for a no-code.
This was all. Share with me your thoughts and, hope to see you in the next post!