There Will Be Code

“The folks who think that code will one day disappear are like mathematicians who hope one day to discover a mathematics that does not have to be formal.”

— Robert C. Martin, legendary software craftsman & thought leader in modern programming

You’ve probably heard of one of the dozens of low-code software builders out there such as Blaze, Lovable, or Bolt. And like many entry-level software developers, you might have this question in mind: will I still get employed with these low-code software builders out there? You are right to have this concern since business owners seek to save money and make profit as much as they can, and employing you is just a way to this end.

To answer this, we need to look at why business owners hire, whether these low-code builders answer that “why,” and who they are built for in the first place. I won’t lean toward gut feelings. Instead, I will follow evidence-based approach in this article.

Why Businesses Hire?

Businesses do hire to achieve goals they can’t efficiently reach alone — whether that’s profit, growth, or innovation. Evidence of this can be seen in the FRED data chart on Software Development Job Postings in the U.S. (2020–2025). The chart shows a surge in 2022, with postings up by 230% (FRED: source).

This peak came from the massive demand for digital transformation after Covid-19. Companies rushed into digitalization: building stronger online presence, streaming platforms like Netflix, cybersecurity software to protect users’ data, and hiring data analysts to interpret user behavior and drive more traffic.

Now, ask yourself this: can any low-code platform truly fill this need? Can they build a streaming platform like Netflix? Can they create cybersecurity tools such as Wireshark? Can they develop pipelines to analyze and interpret massive user data? The answer is no.

You might say: “Well, I can’t build those myself either.” True — you cannot alone. But a team of software developers like you can. Those tools can’t even coordinate properly with each other without human intervention. So how could they ever address real, complex problems? We humans can — and that’s why businesses hire.

Do Low-Code Platforms Address Business Needs?

If you’ve read the article from the start, you already know the answer is a freaking NO!

Who Are They Built For?

Unfortunately, because of excessive marketing by these companies — with flashy claims like “Create apps or websites by chatting with AI” or “Build stunning apps & websites instantly” — many people got misled. The real surprise? Even some developers started believing it.

Up to the date of this article, have you ever heard of an app created by these tools that truly solved real-world problems?

So, are they scams? Certainly not. They do provide real solutions — but very limited ones.

If all you need is a simple landing page with a few sections and some light interactivity, then yes, they can help. If you want a personal website with text and animations, again, they can deliver.

But beyond that — and up to this day — we’ve never seen them produce anything groundbreaking that truly addresses complex business or societal problems.

So, what’s the takeaway? Low-code platforms aren’t going to replace developers anytime soon. They’re great for simple websites, landing pages, or small apps — nothing more. Real businesses hire humans because humans solve complex problems, build scalable systems, and innovate in ways tools simply can’t. If you’re worried about your future as a developer, don’t be. Focus on learning, collaborating, and tackling challenges that no low-code platform could ever handle. The tools might get fancier, but the need for real developers? That’s not going anywhere.