Low-Code Full Stack Development
Experts also Benefit from Low Code
The T-LCAP’s ExpertTool includes various browser-based graphical editors, e.g. for data modelling, API integration, API exposure, business logic building and UI component building. These graphical editors make the ExpertTool a full stack development environment.
Data Modeler
No matter if a new data source has to be integrated or new complex data types are needed, the DataModeler contained in the ExpertTool lets the professional developer design the data model and map it to the underlying database, graphically without using any native programming language such as SQL. It generates the necessary CRUD APIs automatically and gives the developer the flexibility to add custom SQL code as needed. With this flexibility, you are able to integrate data models for relational and non-relational databases and expose them via easy-to-use APIs.
API Building
The APIBuilder in the ExpertTool automates the integration of external web services in REST and/or SOAP. After you import the openAPI or WSDL file, the API is automatically generated. Add the necessary security settings and the API is ready for use. This is the simplest way to integrate public services like Gmail, Amazon AI etc. The APIBuilder also helps the developer to expose APIs developed within the T-LCAP. You can offer functionalities to external services and/or third-party developers. After graphically designing the REST or SOAP API interface, the APIBuilder automatically creates the openAPI and WSDL file which can be used by external developers to integrate your API.
Business Logic Building
Building complex business logic is often a major task for professional developers. The ExpertTool supports this task though the graphical Visual Workflow Builder (VWB). This editor allows the developer to implement large portions of the logic via simple drag and drop. At the end, the business logic is graphically visualized as a flow of actions and decisions. As with functions and methods in traditional programming languages, these flows have a well defined interface. The latter is used to integrate them into other flows, APIs or UI elements. As with the other editors in the ExpertTool, you can also add handwritten code as needed. The T-LCAP supports JavaScript/TypeScript as the unified programming language for both backend and frontend development.
UI Component Building
When citizen developers request additional UI components, the UIBuilder of the ExpertTool lets you implement them for web and mobile application and wrap them into PBCs. These new UI components then have a simple interface which is used by the citizen developer. Consider, for instance, a complex calendar control used to schedule an appointment. This control consists of many basic HTML elements which all need to work together and also communicate with the backend to search for available timeslots. You can put this in a PBC and make it available to citizen developers who in turn never have to deal with the underlying complexity: he/she just includes this control in the application and can then easily display all available timeslots.
The Telecoms Low-Code Application Platform: An Overview for Professional Developers
The Telecoms Low-Code Application Platform includes both a no code CitizenTool for use by business people without programming skills and an ExpertTool for professional programmers. In this e-book, we briefly outline how the ExpertTool provides a full stack development environment.
