What is no-code?
No-code is a way to build computer apps without writing any code. Think of it like building with LEGO blocks instead of creating the plastic bricks from scratch. It’s a big change in how people create software, letting you design what you want to see instead of writing technical instructions.
No-code defined
No-code is a method for making software that uses a visual, drag-and-drop tool. Instead of typing lines of code in a special programming language, you use your mouse to move ready-made pieces around and set up how they work.
The no-code platform handles all the complicated code, servers, and technical details in the background. It turns your visual design into a real, working app. This approach helps people who understand a business problem but don't have coding skills, often called "citizen developers," to build their own solutions.
How does a no-code platform work?
No-code platforms handle the hard stuff for you. You decide what you want the app to do, and the platform figures out how to make it work. You use pre-built, ready-to-go pieces that represent common parts of an app.
What are no-code platform components?
- Visual UI builder: A drag-and-drop tool for designing how your app looks, including its screens, forms, and buttons
- Data modeling: Tools that help you set up the data for your app, often by connecting to a spreadsheet or database you already have
- Workflow and logic engine: A visual system for setting rules and automating tasks; for example, you could set a rule like, "if a status is 'approved,' then send an email"
- Connectors: Ready-made connections that link your app to other popular services and tools
- One-click deployment: A simple way to publish your app for people to use on the web or their phones, without any server setup
No code versus low code versus vibe coding
To build applications today, you have several options. Understanding the distinctions between no-code, low-code, vibe coding, and traditional coding approaches will help you select the most suitable tool for your needs, regardless of your coding experience.
Aspect | No-code | Low-code | "Vibe" coding / AI code generation |
Primary user | Business users, citizen developers, and any non-technical staff. | Professional developers and IT experts. | Anyone with a clear idea, including developers, designers, and thinkers. |
Method | Using purely visual tools like drag-and-drop, forms, and menus. | Visual tools with the option to add some code for tricky or custom parts. | Using plain text to tell an AI assistant what you want the app to do. |
Focus | Solving specific business problems with pre-built parts. | Making the development process faster for bigger, more custom apps. | Quickly creating starter code, simple apps, or specific features from a text description. |
Example products |
Aspect
No-code
Low-code
"Vibe" coding / AI code generation
Primary user
Business users, citizen developers, and any non-technical staff.
Professional developers and IT experts.
Anyone with a clear idea, including developers, designers, and thinkers.
Method
Using purely visual tools like drag-and-drop, forms, and menus.
Visual tools with the option to add some code for tricky or custom parts.
Using plain text to tell an AI assistant what you want the app to do.
Focus
Solving specific business problems with pre-built parts.
Making the development process faster for bigger, more custom apps.
Quickly creating starter code, simple apps, or specific features from a text description.
What can you build with a no-code platform?
No-code platforms open up a lot of possibilities. You can quickly build different kinds of apps to solve business problems.
- Internal tools for tracking inventory, managing equipment, or entering data
- Apps that automate workflows, like approving purchases or onboarding new employees
- Simple websites for customers to sign up for events or book appointments
- Project and task management apps
- Data collection tools for teams working outside the office
Benefits of a no-code platform
Faster delivery
Faster delivery
Apps can be built and launched much faster than with traditional coding, helping businesses solve problems quickly.
Empowerment of business users
Empowerment of business users
People who know the job best can build their own tools, freeing up IT departments for more complex projects.
Reduced costs
Reduced costs
Building simple apps with no-code can lower software creation costs because it doesn't require as many specialized developers.
Increased agility
Increased agility
It’s easy to change and update no-code apps based on feedback from people who use them.
Bridging the talent gap
Bridging the talent gap
No-code helps more employees get involved in building digital tools, which helps with the shortage of professional developers.
How to make an app with no coding experience?
Even though every no-code platform is a little different, the basic steps are usually the same:
- Plan your app: Figure out its goal. What problem will it solve?
- Gather your data: Collect and organize the information your app will use, like in a spreadsheet.
- Select your no-code platform: Choose the tool that best fits your project.
- Design your database: Set up how your app will store information.
- Build your user interface: Design the screens and buttons your users will interact with.
- Automate workflows: Create rules that make your app do things automatically.
- Test and refine: Try out your app to find and fix any problems.
Build with no-coding experience using Google AI Studio
Google AI Studio is a great example of a no-code tool that lets you experiment with artificial intelligence. You don't need to be a programmer to create something interesting.
Here’s how you can use it:
- Open AI Studio: Go to the Google AI Studio website.
- Create a new prompt: A "prompt" is just an instruction you write in plain text. Click to start a new one.
- Write your instructions: In the prompt window, type what you want the AI to do. You can start simply. For example, you could type, “Write a short, funny story about a robot who is afraid of toasters.”
- Run it: Click the run button to see what the AI creates based on your prompt.
- Change it up: You can easily edit your prompt to get a different result. You might change your instruction to, “Now make the story a poem.”
This simple process lets you create text, ideas, and more, all without touching a single line of code.
Related products and solutions
AppSheetThis is Google Cloud’s main no-code platform. It lets anyone build web and mobile apps from data in Google Sheets, databases, and more, often without writing any code.
Google AI StudioA no-code tool that lets you experiment with and build things using artificial intelligence. You can use simple text instructions, called prompts, to create stories, summaries, and more.
Firebase StudioA low-code tool that helps you quickly build the backend, or the "behind-the-scenes" part, of your application. It uses simple prompts to help set up your database, user sign-ins, and security rules.
Gemini Code AssistAn AI helper for developers and anyone learning to code. If a no-code app needs a special feature, Gemini Code Assist can help write the necessary code using plain-language instructions.
Additional resources
- Google AI Studio quickstart: A beginner's guide to get started quickly with Google AI Studio using simple, step-by-step instructions
- How to create an AppSheet app: Learn the essential steps for building your first no-code application using AppSheet
- Low code overview: What does low code mean and its use cases
- Vibe code overview: Overview of vibe coding, its definition, benefits, and use cases
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