Glossary · PLC and control programming
Low-code/no-code platform
Also known as: Low-code platform, No-code platform, LCNC platform
German: Low-Code-/No-Code-Plattform
In software engineering, a low-code/no-code platform is a development environment that lets users build applications largely through graphical configuration, templates and drag-and-drop components, with little or no hand-written code.
- PLC programming
In one sentence
Low-code/no-code platforms build applications through graphical configuration and templates with little or no hand-written code.
Example
A production engineer builds a shift dashboard with a low-code tool that reads OEE data from the MES, without writing code.
Explained in context
Context cards connect this term with others to answer one question. Also in British English and German.
How it applies
- Engineering: In manufacturing, low-code tools are used for dashboards, data flows, simple apps for shop floor workflows and integration between IT systems. Some automation platforms offer low-code editors for edge devices. Real-time machine control usually remains in PLC languages.
- Governance: Low-code apps can spread quickly outside IT and engineering control. They still need versioning, access control, testing and an owner. Apps that write to control systems need the same Change control as other software.
- Security: Connectors that link low-code apps to OT networks create paths that must be covered by the security concept, see IEC 62443.
- Documentation: Document each app's purpose, data sources, owner and version. For apps that users operate, short task-based instructions work better than screenshots of the configuration.
Low-code platform vs. graphical PLC programming
Graphical programming in IEC 61131-3 is a precisely defined, deterministic way to program controllers. Low-code platforms focus on speed of development for business and data applications and usually offer no real-time guarantees.