AI-powered “no-code” and “low code” tools have changed the rules of the game for aspiring computer programmers. Building applications is no longer the exclusive domain of programmers; it is now within reach of anyone with a clear idea and the right tools.
Al-Fanar Media has been asking computer programming specialists whether the new tools threaten traditional programmers’ jobs. Most believe future programmers will have to be able to combine traditional programming skills with the new tools.
No-Code and Low-Code Programming
Recently, the use of no-code tools and low-code platforms has become a common first approach to developing applications and software without needing to write traditional code.
• The no-code concept allows ordinary users to build apps, databases, and interfaces using visual tools, without using programming. It works by creating logic and business processes through graphical interfaces that rely on templates and pre-built components.
• The low-code concept lets developers write code when greater flexibility is required, while simplifying most functionality through visual prototyping and drag-and-drop tools, speeding up the software development cycle.
Compared with traditional programming, modern tools reduce implementation time and are well-suited for building many straightforward systems. However, coding expertise is still needed when creating complex or customised solutions.
No-Code Programming Platforms
Some of the most notable no-code programming platforms are:
• Bubble.io: A low-cost platform that makes it easy to build fully integrated, interactive web applications. It uses a visual editor that lets users design app logic and workflows without writing any code.
• Webflow: Allows users to design websites visually while automatically generating clean hypertext markup language (HTML), cascading style sheets (CSS), and JavaScript in the background. It speeds up website launches, particularly for advertising and small businesses, and comes with a built-in content management system, hosting, and search engine optimisation (SEO) tools, without the customer needing to hire a programmer.
• Zapier: A no-code automation tool that connects over 6,000 apps, including Gmail, Slack, and Salesforce. It allows users to create automated workflows, known as Zaps, without requiring programming skills or advanced technical knowledge.
• OutSystems: A robust low- platform designed for building full-scale enterprise applications using reusable components. It offers a complete software development lifecycle environment for both technical and business teams in a tenth of the time of traditional development methods.
New programming tools like these let users focus on logic and experimentation rather than technical complexity, but they do not give the full customisation and performance control of traditional coding.
Programmers of the Future
In the near future, experts say, the programmer’s role will evolve from simply writing code to acting as a solutions architect, designing comprehensive technical systems and managing their interactions with users and smart devices.
Jeetu Patel, the president and chief product officer of Cisco, the American based multinational hardware development company, says skills such as “coordinating intelligent agent workflows” and the “quality of ideas”—once undervalued—will become essential in the years ahead.
Patel thinks precise coding skills are becoming less fundamental, and that greater value lies in a deep understanding of strategic questions and overall system design, along with awareness of performance, security, and scalability. Mastery of software engineering practices—such as designing augmented reality (AR) patterns, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) techniques, and lifecycle management—remains essential for building maintainable, scalable applications, reducing technical debt, and allowing collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
A comprehensive architectural perspective also strengthens communication and coordination between development teams and non-technical groups such as product, marketing, and customer service.
According to Thomas Johnson, co-founder of Multiplayer, a collaborative platform for teams that work on distributed software, today’s programmer increasingly serves as a mediator between the language of technology and the language of business. Architectural concepts provide a shared framework for the exchange of information, preventing misunderstandings and reducing costly rework.
With the rise of low-code and no-code development tools like Bubble, Zapier, and Microsoft’s Power Apps, the role of the coder continues to evolve. Writing every line of code is no longer necessary. Instead, success depends on the ability to understand solution architecture, analyse user needs, design intuitive user experiences, and collaborate with both technical and non-technical users to build applications quickly and efficiently.
In this new world, knowing a programming language is no longer enough. Programmers must develop analytical thinking skills and learn to coordinate teams that combine human expertise with intelligent technologies, so valuable ideas are brought into production.
How to Excel as a Programmer
Despite the growing presence of AI-powered no-code and low-code tools, programmers can still stand out by sharpening their logical and analytical thinking skills. Most visual creation tools impose predefined choices, but they cannot grasp the reasoning behind a task in the way a human can.
The programmer of the future will be someone who can formulate a clear, logical solution to a problem, then decide whether to use a visual tool for rapid implementation, write custom code for specialised components, or combine both approaches. True strength lies in thinking beyond the tool itself—treating it as a means, not a boundary.
Being able to adapt quickly to new tools and platforms is key.
In a rapidly evolving programming landscape, those who stay informed and experiment with emerging new platforms will gain a distinct edge over their peers. However, adaptability alone is not enough—teamwork and clear communication are also extremely important. Programmers must be able to explain technical ideas to colleagues from technical and business backgrounds.
Successful programmers will need to balance systems built with no-code tools with custom code to implement advanced features. The ability to combine ease and flexibility, tools and infrastructure, speed and precision, is what will make them truly indispensable engineers.
Ammar Matariyeh, a Jordanian engineer who specialies in mobile and full-stack development, told Al-Fanar Media that developments in AI and no-code tools may reduce the number of traditional programmers, but will not eliminate their role entirely. He believes programmers will remain essential, because real innovation cannot happen without a human mind to manage and guide the new tools.
Matariyeh says the relationship between AI and programmers “should be one of human control and direction, not subservience to the tool”. The successful programmer guides the new AI tools, rather than being guided by them he says, so the future of programming lies not only in writing code, but in the ability to analyse problems, understand technical structures, and design solutions.
Ashraf Darwish, a professor of computer science at Egypt’s Helwan University, says universities are debating whether to include no-code programming tools in curricula. While some international and local institutions have begun teaching these tools, others maintain that the tools cannot replace fundamental programming knowledge. Darwish thinks most university courses will try to combine traditional programming with no-code tools, so graduates can keep up with the job market’s demands.
Darwish believes that no-code programming tools complement rather than threaten traditional programming skills. They offer speed and flexibility in developing models but cannot replace a solid understanding of algorithms and systems engineering. “No-code tools may simplify programming instruction and help beginners visually grasp basic concepts. However, if used as a complete substitute, they may undermine algorithmic mastery and analytical thinking,” he says.
Given the widespread adoption of no-code and low-code tools, Darwish advises students and graduates to adopt a strategic approach to improve their career prospects. This means having a strong programming foundation, including programming languages, algorithms, data structures, and mathematics, but being able to use these skills to develop and innovate.
“Programmers must specialise in a specific field, master the relevant tools, and develop the skills to integrate programmable solutions with no-code tools to deliver hybrid solutions,” Darwish said. “They should also stay abreast of technological developments and adapt to market changes, focusing on building a sustainable ability to solve problems using every available resource.”
