The promise of low-code and no-code tools to enable citizen development has been a topic of discussion in the tech industry for years. However, according to Venugopal Jidigam, senior director of engineering at WaveMaker, these tools are not suitable for building complex enterprise applications. In a recent article, Jidigam argues that while low-code and no-code platforms can be useful for simple, internal, and low-risk applications, they are not a substitute for professional developers when it comes to building mission-critical enterprise apps.

Jidigam's argument is based on the limitations of low-code and no-code platforms in five key areas: user experience, application architecture, customizability, performance, and security. He notes that enterprise-grade applications require robust functionality across these dimensions, which business users are incapable of delivering. For instance, building a pixel-perfect UI that meets the designer's vision requires close collaboration between UX and development teams, which is unlikely to happen in a citizen development paradigm.

Another limitation of low-code and no-code platforms is their inability to handle complex application architecture, including API design, high-performance back-end infrastructure, and Docker integration. While some platforms may abstract these complexities, they often fall short in long-term problem-solving, making it difficult for citizen developers to troubleshoot and maintain applications.

In terms of customizability, Jidigam argues that low-code platforms are limited to mixing and matching elements and changing colors, whereas true customizability requires real editable code that empowers developers to hand-code parts to handle complex and edge cases. Furthermore, enterprise apps require massive application scaling, high availability, fault tolerance, and portability, which are often beyond the capabilities of business users.

Security is another critical area where low-code and no-code platforms fall short. With a vast majority of security attacks resulting from human error, it is unrealistic to expect business users to meet the same tech standards as professional developers. Moreover, as security threats evolve rapidly, it becomes the responsibility of the low-code platform to build security, which is a hit-or-miss situation.

So, what is the proper role of business teams in application development? According to Jidigam, business teams should focus on defining requirements, bringing customer perspective, gathering feedback, prioritizing features, and validating outcomes, while leaving the technology end to professional developers. Low-code platforms should enable professional developers to do their jobs quickly, simply, and effectively, rather than trying to replace them with business users.

The implications of Jidigam's argument are significant, as they suggest that the trend towards citizen development may not be the panacea that many have hoped for. Instead, organizations should focus on empowering professional developers with the right tools and resources to build complex enterprise applications, rather than relying on low-code and no-code platforms to fill the gap.

In conclusion, while low-code and no-code tools have their place in the tech industry, they are not a substitute for professional developers when it comes to building mission-critical enterprise applications. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to recognize the limitations of these tools and focus on developing solutions that meet the complex needs of enterprise technology.