Dimensional Data

You are familiar with FreeAndNil(), but do you use it? How often? Are you using it right? As with most things in software development, it is a complicated topic. So let’s see what the experts have to say. We are going to debate the details in a friendly discussion with some of your favorite MVPs. Webinar details: This blog post will include the replay, slides, and more after the webinar. The Survey Says… When you register for the webinar we’ve included a short survey to see where you stand on the issue. During the webinar we will compare the general consensus with that of our MVP panel of experts. The following MVPs have weighed in on the topic, register today to see what they have to say! Dalija Prasnikar Frank Lauter Uwe Raabe Paul TOTH Radek Cervinka Olaf Monien Dr. Holger Flick Patrick Prémartin Boian Mitov Matthew Vesperman Vinicius Sanchez Darian Miller Juliomar Marchetti Erik van Bilsen Allen Bauer Nick Hodges

Thanks to the best low code platforms, it is now possible to develop applications with less effort. These won’t let you burn your budget, wait for days/ months, or hire a number of engineers. Low-code platforms help firms optimize their software development process. They provide various easy visual tools. According to Gartner, 65 percent of application development projects will use low-code development by 2024.[1] The importance of applications in our daily lives is certainly unprecedented. They are crucial in both personal and professional life. Low-code platforms are a beneficial investment for many corporate users. Businesses that want to grow must find new ways to increase their production. Investing in low-code platforms could be a more current approach to this problem. What are low code platforms and what are the benefits? A low code platform allows business users to develop applications without writing code. This makes it easier to create custom applications that meet specific business needs. Low code platforms have become increasingly popular in the last few years. These platforms are useful for companies that have limited knowledge of coding. Also, for companies who don’t have the resources to hire teams of developers to build applications from scratch. Lowering the barrier to entry The biggest benefit of low code is that it lowers the barrier for entry-level software development even further. There’s no need for developers to write code. Anyone with basic skills in user interface design can create software on a low code platform. This means that businesses can build an application without having full-time developers on staff.  Increased speed and agility Low code allows organizations to move faster than before. They allow less-expereinced users to create software directly from their business requirements. So, instead of designing and developing, organizations can quickly move from prototype through testing. This often happens within days or weeks instead of months. More reliable and scalable Low code platforms deliver more reliable applications. They allow users to create applications that are easy to use, easy to change, and easy to maintain. The apps created with low code platforms are easy to scale compared to ones created with traditional programming languages like Java or C++. Greater resilience and control Data is stored in the application while using standard programming languages like Java or C++. It’s still saved externally in a database or cloud storage provider like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage using a low code platform. This means you may keep your data private if necessary (for example, if it contains sensitive personal information) while maintaining complete control over who has access to it. Five examples of the best low code platforms Each low code platform has a distinct approach. This raises the question, do you have to choose one, or are there multiple platforms that you can select from? Here are the top 5 low code platforms that you can choose.  1. RAD Studio RAD Studio is a software development suite. It enables developers to create software for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Development environment The RAD Studio development environment is easy to use. It provides all the tools to develop cross-platform applications. It includes a code editor, Integrated Development Environment (IDE), database tools, web server, database connectivity, reporting tools, etc. You can build desktop apps with native controls by using C++ […]

As a fast and easy alternative to traditional software development, an open source low code platform is fast becoming the hot topic. By 2026, the open source software and services market is expected to reach a whopping $50B. This incredible expansion and growth is thanks largely due to the prediction that 75% of large enterprises are expected to use at least 4 low-code development tools.   Let’s unpack that assertion a little here along with some background information on what open source is and how low code platforms factor into these estimates of accelerated uptake into low code or no code development solutions. What is anopen source low code platform? Since the buzz of low code platforms is everywhere, chances are you are familiar with the word. What exactly is it? Here is the definition  “A low code platform is used to imply visual interfaces with basic logic like drag and drop with little to no coding in a platform” Why is it called an open source low platform? Because the source code is free and easily available to download, deploy and edit by the end user where it deems fit. In simple words, an end user can view, copy, learn, alter or share the code. They are used for scalability in building applications and processes. The platform may vary by requirements so if you want to get started here is the beginner’s guide you must check out! What are the pros of open source low code platform? 1. Flexibility  Flexibility is a crucial quality of open source software that supports this approach to, software deployment. The end-user can have ultimate modification possibilities based on developer resources and requirements without any hassle or fear of the company’s terms and conditions being broken. 2. Reliability  For open-source software, the user relies on the corporation to update, patch, and enhance the codebase, as well as the community. Updates and patches can be maintained and supported by the community. 3. Control and fast transformation Organizations are better positioned to adapt and respond to rapidly changing business situations because to these low-code features so that for their own deployment, the end-user can alter and control the application’s basic code. Companies with the resources to do so can use this to create a product that is truly suited to given requirements. 4. Higher Productivity What used to take months now takes days, if not minutes now, thanks to low-code development. Which allows more apps to be produced in as little time as possible. Time is no longer an impediment to true innovation all because of low-code development. 5. Open Community  The code can be peer-reviewed and maintained by participants in an open source community having passionate programmers and coders. This is indicative of the open source development community’s collaborative and helpful nature such as (Wikipedia, GitHub, etc). 6. Low cost With the ability to build more apps in less time, decreases in cost have been observed. Using low-code tools, the average organization avoids hiring two IT developers. Over the course of three years, the applications designed generated around $4.4 million in enhanced corporate value. – (Forrester) Expectation vs Reality – What is the Gap? Low-code means not having any code As the name suggests, is kind of true. It requires at least a little coding depending on some […]

There is a fascinating conversation between Neo and the Oracle in The Matrix Reloaded movie. Neo asks the oracle that if she already knows, how can he make a choice? She cleverly replies because you have already made your choice. You only came to me to try to understand why? Thus, it is strange that we often pick things emotionally and then logically persuade ourselves that we have chosen the best option. As a result, we come to comparison not to find the best option but only to convince, rationalize, or understand our own decision. We are prone to make the same mistake while choosing the best native app builder for development. It is easy to choose between good and evil but choosing between good and better is always challenging. Choosing the best one is always a difficult task because we must consider many things. For example, say there are three Native App Builders on the shelf. A is free but least productive, B is an excellent value for money, and C is overhyped. If we choose anything other than B, that will be poor and against our interests. Also, we will be misusing our financial vote, depriving a great company of developing more excellent products for us. Thus, we need extensive research to finalize a development tool. Fortunately, a new whitepaper helps us by evaluating three Windows application development frameworks, and you can download it for free now. What have we not learned from the DOTCOM bubble? Due to several reasons, it is easy for companies with deep pockets to exaggerate things in the software industry. Firstly, because it is software, one cannot SEE or correctly measure the end product. Secondly, its long-term consequences might become evident only after several years, and thirdly, many decision-makers do not have a total grasp of tech. Thus, they turn towards heuristics and guesstimates. This situation makes a perfect ground for snake oil marketers to join the party and profit from other people’s losses. It happened on an immense scale during the DOTCOM bubble, but it is constantly happening on different levels in the software industry. Carefully reading this Whitepaper might save you from investing in a poor tool. What might they be hiding from you? Why is a software production system designed in the way it is? There are technical and historical reasons, but there might also be some control reasons. Many tools are designed with such a mindset that the more users invest in the system, the stronger the owner company becomes. Thus, individual users lose power and control in the long run, and the parent company gets stronger and stronger, just like social media. Fortunately, it is easy to spot such practices. The more proprietary files you have to ship with the end product, the closed the system is, and the developer will have less control over the product in the long run. What are your criteria for choosing the best native app builder? Many people search for the best free app builder, while others look for the best app builder without coding. Some prefer the fame of the tool, and some like its history. These choices might not be comprehensive. We need specific criteria covering all aspects of the software development life cycle. Our Whitepaper includes all necessary points […]

Technology up-gradation has boosted developers’ requirements to compete in the market. For advanced features and high-performance, multi platform app tools are becoming a necessity as it has become common now for users to have a variety of devices on which they consume content and perform daily functions. By 2021, the demand for a multi platform app had surpassed $7.9 Billion and there is no sign of that slowing any time soon. Not only this, cross platform apps are vital for rich features and high-performing applications which encompass hardware like GPS and gyroscope sensors, the ability to track or trace user, as well as remain connected while traveling.  So, if you are wondering which tools to use for making cross-platform apps, continue reading. This article will see what cross-platform development is and the best tools to build a multi platform app. What is a multi platform app? A multi platform app development framework is ideal for saving time and accurate execution. As the name suggests, cross-programming develops apps that can run on multiple platforms such as desktop and mobile, instead of building different apps for single, ‘vertical’ platforms.  For example, by choosing the right multi platform technology an Android app developer would no longer have to worry about building a separate app for iPhones or iPads. Instead, the developer can create a multi platform app which enables the app’s code to run on both Android and iOS without almost no changes. What are the 5 Best tools to build multi platform apps? The list of multi platform apps can be long, but we will only include the five best tools in the business.  1. RAD Studio  Today, app development extends beyond the device. It creates the need to build connected apps that give real-time communication across all devices. RAD Studio’s Multi-Device Application Platform does this best. RAD Studio’s multi-device app platform delivers truly connected applications that support real-time communication. It also gives access to enterprise data and cloud services. All these technologies are included in the RAD Studio XE5 enterprise and professional versions.  One of the main advantages of RAD Studio’s multi-device app platform is the rapid connectivity of apps to enterprise databases. Additionally, RAD Studio gives access to cloud-based RESTful web services and BaaS providers.  RAD Studio comes with FireMonkey FMX framework and FireDAC data access. The FireMoneky FMX framework is an app development and runtime platform. With this, you can develop apps faster using visual components. Also, you don’t have to maintain separate development projects to deliver your app natively for multiple device form factors on Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, and Andriod. RAD Studio’s FireDAC gives high-speed database connectivity for MS SQL Server, InterBase, DB2, Oracle, Sybase, MySQL, Firebird, SQLite, and PostgreSQL.  With RAD, you can mobilize your enterprise faster and wiser. 2. React Native In the list of best cross-platform development tools, React Native holds the second spot. It is a JavaScript-based framework. Web developers can build mobile apps with React Native easily and quickly.  It has many development resources, including APIs and UI Libraries. These resources help enhance app-building projects. It also provides support with an extensive community to React Native developers.  Some of its main features include enhanced performance, native-like UI, hot reload, easy-to-use styling schema, and popular JavaScript-based development. All these features make React […]

Everyone can benefit from app-building software. Business users may now easily address difficulties in the workplace thanks to new no-code and low-code application development alternatives. Anyone now can create Professional-quality apps that boost corporate agility and productivity. Business users now have access to advanced capabilities like prebuilt AI components, allowing them to create professional-level apps which were traditionally the domain of IT professionals. App building software also allows for speedy setup and deployment. While some app building software has a great number of resources to learn them, others don’t. This article expects to give you a list of very useful resources to learn about different app-building software and how to use them. If you are a beginner in the industry, I hope this article will help you immensely.  How can you get familiar with RAD Studio app building software? In order to build Win32 programs, RAD Studio comes with an integrated development environment (IDE). The RAD Studio IDE is a package of tools that helps you expedite and simplify the development process. The IDE’s tools vary depending on the version of RAD Studio you’re using. However, getting familiar with RAD studio has become far easier in the coming years due to their proper resource maintenance, such as documentation in both Embarcadero DocWiki and Embarcadero sites. Where can I find information on Mac OS development? Even though RAD Studio supports cross-platform application development, building different operating systems requires different properties and different ways in order to get the application built. Therefore, in order to learn specifically about MAC development and building, Embarcadero DocWiki has a separate section for Mac OS. It has all the pre-requisites bundled along with the process in order to get it done fast and efficiently; You will also find a lot of examples to follow through as well. What is the place to check on the Windows app building software? Embarcadero DocWiki is the latest resource and the first line of protection for just about any development and app building difficulty on Windows. Its advanced search engine allows you to find information on any subject rapidly. One of the most appealing features of DocWiki is that Embarcadero updates it regularly to the most recent versions of Delphi and RAD Studio. This allows you to view the most up-to-date information.  However, you may instantly view prior versions in the View History tab. Aside from documentation, it has sections like What’s New, Courses, Code Samples, and a slew of other items essential for Windows programming and app building. Are you familiar with Embarcadero Academy? Embarcadero Academy is a one-of-a-kind source for Delphi certifications and training. While Delphi and C++ Builder are the primary focus, many more languages and modern software development subjects are available. Furthermore, while there are some paid courses, countless resources are free. With this, any beginner can move forward in learning about app-building software from scratch. Why is it vital to subscribe to the Embarcadero YouTube Channel to learn about app building software? For dedicated developers, Embarcadero’s YouTube channel is an excellent resource since videos are easier to grab onto, unlike blogs. It is packed with debates, webinars, discussions, ideas, how-tos, and product launch announcements in numerous areas, such as app building. For example, here is a great video on designing apps for Windows.  Numerous playlists are available for quickly seeing all […]

Ada Lovelace published the first computer program in 1843. Since then, programmers have been trying to simplify the art of programming. Although the low code movement is gaining in popularity and increasing adoption as a methodology, its essence is not new. If we define “low code” to mean “easy code reuse”, then it is a polished word for an age-old struggle. From inventing Assembly language to RAD tools and everything in between is an effort to simplify programming. In today’s competitive world, choosing and using the best low code app builder allows us to develop professional, elegant solutions quickly, easily and with the absolute minimum of effort. Although people sometimes conflate the terms “Low Code” and “No Code”, they are not equal. The target audience of low code is developers with technical knowledge. In contrast, no code is helpful to business users and, often, those with little or no technical skills. Thus, no code tools are frequently primarily visual drag and drop setups with limited scope. Here we will discuss low code only. Notably, the Low Code/No Code industry is growing even faster than the rest of the software application development market. Forrester has predicted the growth of this industry to be $21.2 billion by 2022. It was $3.8 billion in 2017, an astonishing increase of about 600%. This demand and rapid growth make it vital for businesses and developers to study and adapt accordingly. So let us discuss the top ten compelling reasons to choose the best low code platform. 1. Do you care about your IP and business secrets? Many low code app development platforms are not safe enough for your intellectual property and data. Hackers steal banks’ data these days, proving how challenging it is to take care of sensitive data. If your trade secrets, clients’ details, and other essential data reside on an online server with thousands of different clients, how secure can it be? Thus outsourcing might not be a good option for everyone. 2.Is the start-up speed of your apps essential to you? If your App takes more than a few seconds to load, your customer is gone. The startup speed is critical and, in fact, crucial for customer satisfaction. Unfortunately, many low code apps builder software generate generalized apps that are neither up to speed nor up to the look and feel of the target platform. Customers quickly rate them low or don’t find them helpful. It is not right to conclude that your business idea has failed. The idea is only doomed because you used poor infrastructure for its implementation. 3. Is having a unique brand image important for you? No one wants to look like their competitors. Because if customers perceive a business as a copycat, it will ruin the brand image. As a low code application platform‘s look, feel, and functionality mimics one another, the customer might perceive it as a copycat. On the other hand, the easier it is to copy your business, the sooner copycats will come to snatch your customers. Thus, building and keeping your unique brand image through Low Code app generators isn’t easy. Open source low code platforms are more prone to this problem. 4. Do you need real-life apps or just prototypes? Real-life Apps are big, complex, and changing. That is why they are […]