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Low-code platforms and Full-code developers – a match made in hell?

13 points by sunilkosuri 6y ago

gitgud 6y ago
> "A better approach would be to automate the generation of boilerplate code." I'm yet to encounter a good example of generated boiler-plate. Every tool that spews out generated code is annoying to work with and you end up having to delete a bunch of files that don't apply. Better frameworks encapsulate code-generation in a function calls and better abstractions.
- tjchear 6y ago
  What is an example of: 1. files that you had to delete? 2. code generation in a function call? 3. better abstraction?
  - gitgud 6y ago
    Well the [1] "@angular/cli" package is one example of code generation I don't like. For example you can create a new page with: ng generate route 'about-page' This creates a folder called "about-page" with a blank component. Then it modify's the app.routing module. Then it adds the component declaration to the app.module. The reason it's terrible is that it makes various assumptions about the naming of your files and project structure, which inevitably break things if they're don't match. A good example of a better abstraction (a.k.a function call) is the [2] "nuxt" package. In this framework you don't need to generate a route, you just add a file to the '/pages' directory and the framework maps it to a route for you. It's a pleasant and simpler experience. [1] https://cli.angular.io/ https://cli.angular.io/ [2] https://nuxtjs.org/ https://nuxtjs.org/
    - tjchear 6y ago
      Ah I see what you mean. I was confused when you said encapsulating code generation in function calls, but what you're saying is better abstraction that saves you from writing boilerplate code and also does not force you to do things a certain way beyond what is necessary. I've had the pleasure of using next.js myself and it's the sort of thing that lowers my cognitive load when working on a project.
- sunilkosuri 6y ago
  Boilerplate code is generated using templates. Templates are written by humans. Therefore, if the templates are good, the quality of the code would be good as well.
popup21 6y ago
No code, or low-code, are terms straight out of marketing departments by this generation's ignorance of software history. The earliest form of this trend that I can remember was Macromedia Authorware. Drag-n-drop flowchart style of development with optional coding features.

13 points by sunilkosuri 6y ago

> "A better approach would be to automate the generation of boilerplate code." I'm yet to encounter a good example of generated boiler-plate. Every tool that spews out generated code is annoying to work with and you end up having to delete a bunch of files that don't apply. Better frameworks encapsulate code-generation in a function calls and better abstractions.

tjchear 6y ago
What is an example of: 1. files that you had to delete? 2. code generation in a function call? 3. better abstraction?
- gitgud 6y ago
  Well the [1] "@angular/cli" package is one example of code generation I don't like. For example you can create a new page with: ng generate route 'about-page' This creates a folder called "about-page" with a blank component. Then it modify's the app.routing module. Then it adds the component declaration to the app.module. The reason it's terrible is that it makes various assumptions about the naming of your files and project structure, which inevitably break things if they're don't match. A good example of a better abstraction (a.k.a function call) is the [2] "nuxt" package. In this framework you don't need to generate a route, you just add a file to the '/pages' directory and the framework maps it to a route for you. It's a pleasant and simpler experience. [1] https://cli.angular.io/ https://cli.angular.io/ [2] https://nuxtjs.org/ https://nuxtjs.org/
  - tjchear 6y ago
    Ah I see what you mean. I was confused when you said encapsulating code generation in function calls, but what you're saying is better abstraction that saves you from writing boilerplate code and also does not force you to do things a certain way beyond what is necessary. I've had the pleasure of using next.js myself and it's the sort of thing that lowers my cognitive load when working on a project.
sunilkosuri 6y ago
Boilerplate code is generated using templates. Templates are written by humans. Therefore, if the templates are good, the quality of the code would be good as well.

popup21 6y ago

No code, or low-code, are terms straight out of marketing departments by this generation's ignorance of software history. The earliest form of this trend that I can remember was Macromedia Authorware. Drag-n-drop flowchart style of development with optional coding features.