#Issue 003
How to change into a
no-code developer
Hi 👋🏾
Who knew you possibly can develop software program with out coding?
Not me, however now you and I do know. In this text, we break down this complete no-code developer enterprise. You additionally get to see Foluso Ayodele attempt to persuade us that the no-code developer profession has a low barrier to entry: “Anyone with a will to learn is good enough for code.”
If that is your cup of tea, you’re in for a deal with. If it’s not, don’t you wish to see how one can make $30 money an hour from constructing digital merchandise with out code? If you don’t look after that both, don’t fear. As ordinary, we convey you a superb checklist of tech recommendation, coaching and job alternatives.
If you’re taking one factor away from this text, let or not it’s Foluso’s recommendation: “Don’t fall into the tutorial trap […] do not just watch videos and online courses. Build!”
by Immaculata Abba, Caleb Nnamani and Timi Odueso.
Tech trivia questions
Some trivia earlier than we start. Answers are on the backside of this text.
- Who was the primary particular person to construct a programming language?
- What was the primary no-code device to be constructed?
Who is a no-code developer?
Have you all the time needed to construct apps and merchandise however you might be afraid coding isn’t for you?
Well, fortunate you, this version of Entering Tech could make that doable.
💡 Here’s a fast background on coding. Software engineers or builders are the spine of the tech world. All your favorite apps and video games are constructed by builders who’ve to put in writing code to construct what they need. Now consider code as completely different languages that assist computer systems converse to one another. You, as a particular person, can solely management the pc’s dialog should you perceive their language.
So why don’t folks simply be taught the pc’s language A.Okay.A code? Well, as a result of there are about 9,000 completely different languages, every with its personal operate and benefits. Furthermore, there are completely different sorts of software program builders/engineers: frontend builders create the visible features like pages, menus, buttons, hyperlinks, and graphics which you can see and click on, whereas backend builders use code to attach servers, functions, and databases that ship data to customers.
Frontend engineers decide how issues look, and backend builders decide how issues work. Learn extra about these engineering roles on TechCabal.
Both roles use completely different languages. Frontenders use languages like HTML or JavaScript, whereas backenders have actually cool-sounding languages like Ruby on Rails, Python, or C++.
Most are related however mastering every takes years of fixed apply. Only a few like HTML and CSS—that are markup languages for frontend builders—will be mastered inside months.
So, if you wish to construct an app or change into a software program developer, you must be taught a number of coding languages.
However, no-code builders bypass these language necessities with instruments that assist them construct apps and merchandise with out them having to put in writing a single line of code.
How it really works
You understand how subtitles allow you to watch anime or Squid Game with out understanding Japanese or Korean?
It’s nearly like that. You can perceive what Naruto or Sae-byok are saying with out understanding their languages as a result of a device has helped you translate it.
No-code builders do the identical factor. They can converse to computer systems and construct apps, web sites and even firms utilizing no-code instruments that assist them translate code into motion.
💡 Think of it this fashion. Canva is a device that helps anybody change into a designer. In the olden days—or early 2010s—should you needed to be a graphic or product designer, you needed to learn to use Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator or Figma. On these apps, you had to attract the circles your self, draw the automobiles, objects or something you needed to create. On Canva, a few of these issues are pre-built, so you may merely add a pre-drawn circle and alter its dimension and color.
No-code instruments assist builders as Canva helps designers.
What are the instruments of a no-code developer?
You’ve most likely already used some. If you’ve ever constructed a submission type on Airtable, created a shopfront on Shopify, made a zap on Zapier, or constructed a web site on WordPress, then excellent news, you’re a no-code developer—jk, jk, you’re not. But it does imply you’ve used no code instruments earlier than.
The no-code instruments like WordPress are fairly primary although, and as our visitor at the moment says, “They are limiting and they don’t allow you do much.”
So what are the instruments no-code builders use? Well, it is determined by the kind of no-developer you wish to be. There are broadly three completely different paths to no-code improvement.
🌐 Web no-code builders who use no-code instruments to construct web sites and internet functions. Their instruments are:
Bubble.io || Softr.io || WeWeb.io || Adalo Web Builder
📱 Mobile no-code builders who use no-code instruments to construct cell functions. Their instruments are:
Adalo Mobile Builder || FlutterFlow || GlideApps
🔗 Automation no-code builders who use no-code instruments to construct automations. Their instruments are:
Quabbly || Zapier || MakeHQ
Hear it from a no-code developer
For this week’s version, we’ve introduced a 19-year-old no-code developer who took the leap final 12 months from full stack engineering to no-code.
Foluso Ayodele is a no-code (bubble.io) developer who works with WeLoveNoCode, a no-code company based mostly in San Francisco. He has skilled expertise in product administration, full stack improvement, and can also be expert in technical writing.
Started studying full-stack engineering
2015
Worked on a number of private and group initiatives inlcuding Anonima, an anyonymous messaging app
2015–2020
Switched to studying product administration
November 2020
Landed PM internship at Sankore investments
October 2021
Discovered and switched to studying no-code improvement
August 2021
Landed first job as a no-code developer
April 2022
Q. What had been you doing earlier than you grew to become a no-code dev?
I used to be interning as a product supervisor for an funding agency. Before that, I used to be truly a full-stack developer.
Q. How was the transition, and what was your studying path?
So whereas writing code as a full-stack engineer, I stored making an attempt to construct merchandise however they by no means panned out.
So after a number of trials with completely different merchandise, I needed to attempt one thing new and I discovered product administration. While I used to be interning, I learnt about prototyping and it was in studying extra about prototyping that I discovered my first no-code device, Softr.io.
It was a bit surprising, to be trustworthy. Without any tutorial or directive, I might determine it out. I used to be even capable of construct a product on Softr inside 24 hours.
So I began studying extra about no-code instruments and that’s once I found the Bubble Community on Twitter. They had been advocates of Bubble.io and so they pushed me into making an attempt my arms at it. Bubble was more durable than Softr although, and there was a little bit of a studying curve earlier than I might do something on it. It took me about a 12 months earlier than I might transition to Bubble full-time and get gigs from firms overseas.
Q. What ought to individuals who wish to be no-code builders know?
Don’t fall into the tutorial entice! There are so many sources and supplies on the market and you must have interaction them, however don’t simply watch movies and take on-line programs. Build!
Practice and constructing are what makes a nice no-code developer, not programs and certifications, though they assist.
Also, don’t be a platform prostitute for too lengthy. At the beginning of your studying journey, it’s superb to check out completely different platforms and see which you favor. But after a whereas, cool down, change into a one-platform developer and grasp one platform earlier than leaping to a different.
Q. What abilities do no-code devs want?
There aren’t any hard-skill necessities for no-code improvement. That’s the purpose; you don’t need to be a former engineer or know coding languages.
It’s a low-barrier-to-entry profession into tech. Anyone will a will to be taught is sweet sufficient for code.
For smooth abilities, nonetheless, you want the identical primary transferable abilities anybody in another company function wants. Self-management abilities as a result of the function will be complicated at first. Communications and stakeholder administration as a result of purchasers can typically be tough and unreasonable with their wants. You have to learn to talk targets and aims clearly.
Q. What are the misconceptions folks have about your function?
That no-code = no work. Or that as a result of there’s no coding concerned, all we do is simply prototyping.
Those are the most important misconceptions. Yes, we don’t write code however that doesn’t imply there’s no onerous work concerned.
Q. How do you assume no-code will have an effect on the continent throughout the subsequent couple of years?
There will not be a lot of alternatives for no-code builders on the continent proper now. In truth, I haven’t seen that many alternatives, and I’ve solely labored with one Nigerian firm to this point.
I feel we’re nonetheless rising our technical coding expertise on the continent, we don’t have that many software program engineers but so it’s comprehensible that the main target could be on coding. I don’t assume we’ll see that a lot development in a couple of years however off the continent, there are sprawling alternatives for anybody who places within the work. My firm is all the time in search of referrals.
You will be a no-code developer too
If you’re fascinated by making an attempt your hand at no-code improvement, listed below are a checklist of sources.
- Price: Free (for one week)
- Duration: 8.5 hours
- Tools Needed: Internet + laptop computer
- Level: Beginner and intermediate
Get Course
- Price: Free (for one week)
- Duration: 5 hours
- Tools Needed: Internet + cellphone or laptop computer
- Level: Internet + cellphone or laptop computer
Get Course
- Price: Free
- Duration: 1hr, 47 minutes
- Tools Needed: Internet + cellphone or laptop computer
- Level: Beginner (Zapier 101) and Advanced (Zapier 102)
Get Course
- Price: $50
- Duration: 9.5 hours
- Tools Needed: Internet + cellphone or laptop computer
- Level: Beginner
Get Course
- Price: $50
- Duration: 10 hours
- Tools Needed: Internet + cellphone or laptop computer
- Level: Beginner
Get Course
Ask a techie
Q. I’m a physics tutor, a dean of research at a technical school and workforce lead for logistics with a presence in 3 international locations together with Nigeria. I wish to transfer into tech—mission administration. How ought to I proceed, with my background are they different code or no-code areas I ought to be ?
If you’re trying to proceed with mission administration, then you must take Google’s Project Management course to complement your expertise.
You appear to have already got expertise with mission administration given your listed profession path, however the course can assist you chart the subsequent part of your profession. It’s a 6-month course should you take it 10 hour/week however you may full it earlier, and also you’ll be licensed by Google.
If you’re in search of different no-code careers to discover, then try product administration which is sort of just like mission administration. The distinction is that you simply’re managing the imaginative and prescient and improvement means of a product.
You may also try information evaluation, which is the place you’ll learn to inform tales utilizing information by processing, analysing and presenting it. It additionally has a google course, be taught extra right here.
Q. Are there any tech group for UX writers in Nigeria?
There aren’t any communities we all know of which are particularly for UX writers however there are communities for UI/UX techies.
More Techies, for instance, is a various group for Africans in non-tech fields who need to take part within the tech ecosystem regardless of their backgrounds. There’s additionally the Non-Tech in Tech group, house to over 3,000 entrepreneurs, content material managers, writers, and expertise managers throughout 15 international locations who need to transition to tech or to develop their careers in tech.
It could be onerous to search out one particularly for UX writing however you’ll positively discover related minds in both of the 2 above.
That’s all we will take this week. Have any questions on working in tech? Ask away and we’ll discover solutions for you.👇🏾
Ask a query
Tech trivia solutions
- It was Ada Lovelace! In 1883, Lovelace was serving to Charles Babbage construct the very first mechanical pc, the Analytical Engine, and he or she constructed the primary language Ada to stipulate an algorithm for the Analytical Engine.
- It’s Lotus’ 1-2-3. Launched in 1983, it’s a spreadsheet programme that helped customers manipulate and current information! Microsoft’s Excel was launched two years later in 1985.
Opportunities
- The Fall 2022 Educative Technical Writing Workshop is open to Nigerians who wish to be taught technical writing. Earn a technical writing certificates with this 1-month course. Apply now.
- Big Cabal Media – Head of Events – Lagos, Nigeria
- Big Cabal Media – Reporter, Citizen – Lagos, Nigeria
- Big Cabal Media – Newsletter Editor, Citizen – Lagos, Nigeria
- Big Cabal Media – Multimedia Content Creator, Citizen – Lagos, Nigeria
- Big Cabal Media – Newsletter, Editor, Zikoko – Lagos, Nigeria
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