Is UiPath Studio considered a 'no-code' or 'low-code' development environment?

Question

I keep hearing the terms low-code and no-code for development environments. I've always written code in full fledged C# environments, so this UiPath Studio UI is a bit strange to me.

Is UiPath Studio categorized as a 'no-code' development environment? A 'low-code' development environment is another term I've heard.

What categorization does UiPath fall into?

I hope this isn't considered an opinion based question

Answer 1

You can take the official UiPath Studio websites keywords:

UiPath Studio gives everyone from business users to advanced developers the right automation canvas to build great software robots —and organizations the right governance tools to manage it all.

What you have noticed was StudioX, but that is especially designed for process owners. I don't think that you really want to use that with some C# knowledge already.

Basically it gives you the possibility of no-code indeed. But that depends on what you need to achieve and how no-code is defined. Is coding starting with defining some semi-complex variables already? I would say no, but beginners might say yes, as this paradigm is not existing in a real world.

At the end it is a good mix of both. You need a control flow all the time on long processes. So you e.g. need to know how to use if-statements and that variable type checks are working different on each type. Also, if you go further and having a complex issue that can only be solved with invoking code or creating custom activities, you really need to code. Or you are lucky and find someone else's code on Go! or Connect. :)

And even further UiPath Studio is just one tool of many. What you can say is that UiPath Studio is never getting a high-level tool for specialists. It's designed for lazy RPA beginners and a little further. And that's good if you ask me.

Answer 2

What constitutes low-code or no-code is certainly up for debate. But UiPath themselves certainly advertise products they consider to be low-code and no-code.

UiPath StudioX

UiPath StudioX is advertised as being 'low-code.'

With StudioX, process owners like you get a no-code tool to build automations. With no-code drag-and-drop construction, a friendly interface, and pre-designed templates and scenarios, you could launch a robot on your lunch hour. StudioX Product Page

UiPath Apps

UiPath Apps is advertised as being low-code:

UiPath Apps includes a low-code app builder called App Studio. It lets you build visually appealing professional apps quickly using only a web browser through a rich library of drag and drop controls. Apps Platform Product Page

UiPath Studio

So where does UiPath Studio fit in? I'd say Studio certainly allows you to create UiPath robots with a low code approach. It's certainly not 'no-code' as even with loops and if statements you still need to add in some code like statements for the various conditions. And the ability to invoke a full fledged piece of code you've written certainly eliminates the ability to call it 'no-code.'

I think 'low-code' is a fairly accurate description of UiPath Studio.