DEV Community: Tony Cletus

The outcomes of developers embracing No-code

Tony Cletus — Tue, 25 May 2021 13:06:06 +0000

Photo credit: Iwaria

The Software industry is the most exponential field in the world. Especially in the way we craft and think software.

"We've never had a better yesterday, it has always been a forward progress."
— Gideon Shaibu

From building software with Low-level languages (Machine language and Assembly language) in 0s and 1s to High-level languages (Python, C++, JavaScript, Java...) and now, there's this new thing echoing all over the internet called No-Code.

The genealogy of software development has never had a better yesterday. Each chronicle presents a simplified way of building software better than the previous chronicle. Now is the time to talk No-code, though, no longer a new phenomenon.

The Era of No-Code

The No-code movement started way back in 1985 when Microsoft released the first version of Excel (interestingly for Mac), followed by the Windows version in 1987. Google took it further by creating Google Sheets and embracing the cloud. Over the years, Excel has helped shape how we handle financial and data analysis.

In 2003, No-code fully came online, when WordPress kickstarted the ability to build websites without code which is powering about 35% of the world's websites today.

In 2004, Shopify empowered people to build their online stores without code.

WordPress and Shopify were the first set of popular online tools to pave way for entrepreneurs to build all kinds of websites ranging from blog to dev tools to e-commerce websites and SaaS products.

Later, popular tools like Airtable (2012), Bubble (2012), Webflow (2013), Zapier (2012), TypeForm (2016), Jotform (2006), Notion (2016), Coda (2019) and a list of many others have grossly contributed to the No-code movement. All to democratize software development by creating citizen developers who can quickly build solutions in real-time without writing code.

"No-code is simply building and maintaining what is used to be accomplished with code without writing code."

Is No-code here to replace Software developers?

Capital NO. This can never happen as No-code tools need software developers to write code that makes them what they are.

Think of Botamp for example, A software that provides entrepreneurs with simple tools to quickly create their website and professional email campaigns without code. Wappalyzer browser extension shows Botamp is powered by Ruby on Rails. A high-level framework only developers can code and maintain. So the idea that No-code is here to replace Software developers is completely useless.

Tony Cletus

@iamtonycletus

Some people have to learn how to code to build simple tools that will help others create stuff without coding. How sweet that sounds.
#NoCode #BuildInPublic

07:44 AM - 26 Mar 2021

I rather say the idea of No-code is to empower non-technical people to build solutions for their business, client, or explore their creative minds. Ben Tossel puts it this way;

"Building is for a large audience (coding or not). Learning to build can often be a gateway into learning to code. But it’s also enabling anyone to make things."

So it is important to mention that No-code is not here to replace Software developers but to enable non-coders and even coders build things faster.

Should Developers embrace No-code technology?

Absolutely YES, No-code technologies are around to simplify the existing process they are alternating not replace them. Not every development requires coding.

No-code can do almost anything code can do these days, maybe not as appealing as building certain functionalities with code but it gives enough space for rapid development. No-code saves time and money when you think of creating blogs, landing pages, payment systems, AI tools, SaaS products and community/social apps.

Recently Makerpad, a community-driven platform built on No-code technologies like Webflow, MemberStack and Stripe was acquired by Zapier. An inspiring News for startups using the same approach.

Spicing your technical skill-set with No-code makes you an outstanding developer. It helps you build faster, bootstrap your side-project, and be diversified.

What happens if Software developers crowd No-code?

All I see is a positive change. Developers are already conversant with the design, implementation and maintenance of Software. All they seek is a simpler approach to what they are already doing. Think of why Laravel framework exists, an alternative to writing raw PHP for web development - To simplify the process. It is easier for developers to adopt No-code.

Netlify caught the hearts of developers not because it is a scaled hosting software. While similar technologies like Heroku, GitHub and AWS allowed app deployment via Git commands and Terminals, Netlify simplified the process by allowing developers to deploy apps by dragging and dropping your project from your local computer to the cloud. A definition of speed and simplicity.

Developer tools like Stripe and Algolia can be used to extend the functionality of their App without writing additional code. Visual Development tools like Bubble, Webflow, Botamp, Zapier, Integromat, Airtable, Notion, Coda, and others are used to build stuff that one could only build by writing, hosting, and maintaining a whole lot of code in the absence of these tools.

In general, No-code adds as a supportive skill to developers to build faster. It comes in handy when you need to ship an MVP. Developers can improve the No-code tools as high-level users.

Because of No-code, we have titles like non-technical founder, citizen developer, maker and No-coder. Embracing No-code is no longer the case but how knowledgeable are you with No-code tools?

Fvck Imposter Syndrome!

Tony Cletus — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 05:09:18 +0000

While this article may not rank on search or penalize because of the F word used in the title, I'd like to say I am super happy to have it that way. But I tried so hard not to repeat it in the body.

To be sure if this article is for you, ask yourself this following questions:

Do I find myself hiding behind other people all the time?
Do I think less of my own accomplishment even when other people think it's great?
Do I feel my opinions don't matter in a meeting?
Do I feel my work must be 100% perfect, 100% of the time otherwise I don't measure up?
Do I get easily intimidated by other people's wins?
Do I feel like I haven’t truly earned my title (despite numerous degrees and achievements)?
Do I find myself working excessively harder than everyone at the office?
Do I let my hobbies and passions fall by the wayside, sacrificed to work?
Do I feel ashamed if I take a long time to master something?
Do I dislike the idea of having a mentor because I can handle things on my own?
Have I been used to having straight A’s” or “gold stars” in everything I do?
Do I firmly believe I don't need anyone's help to accomplish anything in life?
Do I shy away from applying to job postings unless I meet every single educational requirement?
Do I shudder when someone says I'm an expert?
Do I feel I never earned the prize, it was just luck?
I'm a piss of shit, an imposter, I don't deserve such attention, do I feel this way?

OK! enough, if you're suffering from one of the aforementioned symptoms, continue reading, if not, kindly share this article with the hashtag #fuckimpostersyndrome.

Imposter syndrome is a thief, a big cunning one at that, it is estimated that more than 70% of people experience imposter syndrome. I've had my own share too. And missed out on so many opportunities early on in my career because I felt I didn't merit what I had accomplished or even worthy of any recognition I ever received from my teammates each time I did something others adores.

Sometimes, I had great ideas or suggestions about a particular topic or solution in a meeting and still feel like I don't have the credibility to make a point. And I keep pulling back my voice just so I wouldn't be tagged as a fraudster.

As a developer, I've endlessly worked on some projects that I couldn't help myself to finish, in fact, I ended up not sharing on Twitter or GitHub because I felt they weren't perfect enough.

When I started a new role as a marketing manager with a team to manage, I felt I didn't deserve the position despite being told I was more experienced than the rest team members in the department. And many more...

// Detect dark theme var iframe = document.getElementById('tweet-1272348333122686977-852'); if (document.body.className.includes('dark-theme')) { iframe.src = "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1272348333122686977&theme=dark" }

This is how dangerous imposter syndrome can be, and I can't imagine what you have been missing because of this internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud."

I've already spilled out one relieving tip by informing you about the number of people experiencing Imposterism, which indicates - You're not alone. And as Seth Godin would put it; "Yes, you're an impostor. So am I and so is everyone else. Superman still lives on Krypton and the rest of us are just doing our best."

Some of these symptoms are good to have but not before knowing how to handle them in situations where they are needed to be harnessed.

Imposter syndrome robs people of their confidence and replaces it with fear, silent voices, makes people feel like a fraud, and don't deserve what they have. Okay! at this point of writing, I need to take a deep breath, to control this rage over this syndrome because I need to be cool to effectively pass across my message. 😌 Alright. Let's move on...

What is imposter syndrome?

Its [Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome) says "Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon, impostorism, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a psychological pattern in which one doubts one's accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud" and went further to explain that "Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds, and do not deserve all they have achieved."

Simply put, Imposter syndrome causes people to doubt their achievements and fear that others will expose them as fraudulent. The condition can affect anyone, regardless of their job, background, environment, position, class, race, gender, and social status. In fact, it is quite common among high achievers who are unable to internalized and accept their success.

The term was first described by psychologists Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance in the 1970s.

How does it rob you?

People with imposter syndrome have low self-confidence and a fear of failure. They experience a constant internal struggle between achieving success and avoiding being “found out." This struggle prevents many with the condition from reaching their potential.

Don't be controlled by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart. - Brad Turnbull

While they are different types of imposter syndrome which were identified by Dr. Valerie Young in 1982, it is possible that a person can experience more than one type of this phenomenon.

It comes in different scenarios, the imposter syndrome you experience when starting a new and more challenging position is quite different from that which you experience when you're an expert in your field.

I will expose the tactics of each type and then we will harness it to our own advantage. Oh yes, imposter syndrome is also a sign of greatness. Great achievers such as Albert Einstein and Maya Angelou suffer from this corrosive form of low self-esteem. Research also shows that, women are more prone to impostor syndrome than men. However, that margin isn't a case anymore as every human especially people who think outside the box (Great thinkers) are often prone to impostorism.

Before I proceed, I would like to share this great tip by Angie Jones 💎, when asked about how she handled Imposter syndrome: 👇
// Detect dark theme var iframe = document.getElementById('tweet-1257521897337614336-786'); if (document.body.className.includes('dark-theme')) { iframe.src = "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1257521897337614336&theme=dark" }

Types of Imposter syndrome

1. The Perfectionist

This group of people always want everything to be perfect (100%), and if they don't, they feel depressed about it. Yes, it is good to set ambitious goals for yourself but make sure they are achievable goals. If you work in a company where OKRs is well-practiced, you will understand the importance of setting achievable goals. The goals you set mustn't be 100% attainable, at least 70% is OK. And you have to breakdown your ambitious goals into chunks of daily tasks so you can have a fulfilled day.

"Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon."

Possible solutions:

Always celebrate every little win no matter how small it can be.
Break your goals into chunks of tasks that you can achieve per day.
It is good to aim higher but make sure they are attainable.
Accept that you can never be 100% flawless. You're human and mistakes are inevitable and they are a natural part of the process.
Learn to try.

2. The Expert

While achieving an expert level in a particular field or subject is attainable, these impostors leave in self-doubt over their degrees or competence to respect their breakthroughs. They are scared of coming out plain to avoid being exposed as inexperienced or unknowledgeable. Hence, they continue to procrastinate and never ready.

"If we wait until we're ready, we will never be ready."

Possible solutions:

Learn to practice just in terms of learning. Only learn what you need at the present moment and understand that you can never know everything.
Understand that it is not a shame to ask for help and probably the best way to build rapport with others.
Talk kindly to yourself.

3. The Superwoman/man:

I'm tempted to call this set of impostors The Workaholics.
They are never convinced by their own efforts and so they push themselves harder and harder to measure up meanwhile they are only doing this to cover up their insecurities. This does not only affect their mental health but also affects their relationship with others.

Possible Solutions:

Stop trying too hard to prove yourself to others, rather be your own competition.
Set daily tasks and don't overdo yourself. Take a break, you deserve it.
Go home when work is over, tomorrow is another day to continue.
Talk to a professional and ask for support when you're stuck.
Find time to enjoy your hobbies and do things outside of work.
Understand that no one is a superhero or flawless.
Consistency is a habit, not a one-day thing.
Make sure you love what you do.

4. The Soloist:

Soloists feel asking for help will reveal their phonies and a sign of weakness. They will so condemn themselves if they do. Their thought is... they are supposed to do everything all by themselves without asking for help. This doesn't only slow down their productivity but also limits their knowledge and association with others. It's good to be independent but not to the point of feeling ashamed asking for help if you need it.

"The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life."
~ Confucius

Possible Solutions:

Find someone you admire in your area of specialty and politely ask for mentorship.
Join Q/A forums and participate on both sides.
Understand that you can't know everything. People asking each other for help is part of human relationships.
Ask more than you say and learn to be a good listener.
Try to have a mentor (Someone you admire).

5. The Natural Genius

Almost similar to the perfectionist, this set of imposters never take failure likely. They believe they should get everything on the first try. Rather than judging competencies based on their efforts, they consider the ease and speed instead. Often times, they feel uncomfortable to try things they feel they ain't great at. They just think everything should be easy.

Possible Solutions:

Accept it. You will fail at some point in your career or when trying to accomplish a task. Understand that the main reason for failure is to learn something success can't teach you. If you learn from failure it's not a failure, it's wisdom.
Try something that challenges you. It's OK to go out of your comfort zone.
Rather than beating yourself up when you don’t reach your impossibly high standards, identify specific, changeable behaviors that you can improve over time.
Trust the process. The process is the most important part of the journey. Appreciate it while you have it.

Which of these symptoms have you experienced? from today you've been vindicated. No more fears, no more hiding, no more self-doubt.

I love this video from Danny Thompson who made it through his imposter syndrome from frying chicken in a gas station to being a software engineer and now affecting the lives of many other developers:

// Detect dark theme var iframe = document.getElementById('tweet-1274273284142632961-866'); if (document.body.className.includes('dark-theme')) { iframe.src = "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1274273284142632961&theme=dark" }

Final words

You were born to shine, and as you let your light shine, so you unconsciously encourage other people to do the same. And as you liberate yourself from your fears so your presence automatically liberates others.

Stop being an imposter. Stop doubting yourself. Stop shrinking so others won't feel insecure around you, we're all meant to shine and you deserve all the good things that come your way.

So #fuckimpostersyndrome today! ✌