When it comes to today's paradigm of software development, one of the assumptions that is most prevalent is the decreasing relevance that actual humans have in the process. The advent of AI models specialized in code generation is one of the main factors contributing to this belief. Low-Code development platforms have also contributed to the idea that one no longer needs to understand the intricacies of architecture or the syntax of programming languages to be able to develop fully fledged software solutions.
Being immersed in such a noisy environment where trends and hype overrule facts and reason, it is easy to fall into this narrative. Instead of assuming this path towards irrelevance of humans as an unavoidable consequence of the evolution of technology, this article explores the necessities that led us to the creation/adoption of these technologies, how they shape the software development landscape and what is the future of software development.
The Rise of Low-Code and AI Code Generation
With the widespread use of personal computers, and later adoption of smartphones, that started the shift towards applications, the number of users and use cases for software increased exponentially. In an attempt to attend to the needs of users in a market that grows as quickly as it changes, the priority became speed and flexibility. With these new pillars of software development, a new methodology became widespread throughout the industry, Rapid Application Development (RAD). This methodology is an iterative process that goes through successive cycles of development, user feedback and refinement to help keep pace with user preferences and deliver value as quickly as possible.
In an attempt to be as efficient as possible, coders looked for ways to save time by reusing parts of the code through modularity and by having at their disposal more intuitive ways of interacting with code by using visual interfaces. These needs became the main characteristics of Low-Code platforms such as Mendix, in an attempt to combine RAD principles with more intuitive IDEs (Integrated Development Environments), that favoured ease of use, consistency and speed. As a result, the final software was easier to maintain and scale, more secure, and customizable because of the ability to dig into the code if and only when needed.
The missing piece came with generative AI, by using natural language prompts it is now possible to create a working application without needing to write a single line of code. The problem is that the models that allow this must be trained on code that is actually made by humans, meaning they lack the ability to create without context or prior knowledge. Another issue is that depending on the quality of the material used for their training, they can reproduce issues and deliver code that needs to be adjusted to be able to serve its intended purpose.
The Future of Software Development
As mentioned before, these innovations are more useful together than in isolation. Many talk about how AI is certainly going to replace the need for human intervention. There are many also discussing AI Vs. Low-Code as a battle where only one can win. A more realistic view is that of integration of RAD, Low-Code and AI into a single software development tool.
The idea of a triple-view IDE is gaining momentum: one interface where developers can move fluidly between natural language, visual editing, and code. While others in the industry talk about this as a future goal, Mendix has already implemented it in a way that’s deeply practical and accessible to teams today.
From Prompt to Production
In Mendix Studio Pro, developers aren’t forced to choose one mode of interaction. They can describe what they want using natural language with MAIA, Mendix’s AI Assistant. MAIA is context-aware, meaning it understands the specific application you’re building. It can generate new pages, workflows, data models, or logic. It can explain what parts of your app are doing, help with translations, and assist with navigating a project’s structure. Instead of hunting through documentation or switching between tools, developers can stay in flow and get help from within the environment itself.
Visual Development That’s Built for Speed and Structure
The visual editing layer builds on that. Mendix has long supported low-code development through drag-and-drop interfaces, but this isn’t just about speed or accessibility. Visual modelling in Mendix is expressive, structured, and inherently aligned with the application’s logic. Whether you're creating a user interface, defining workflows, or modelling data, the visual representation is accurate and functional, not an approximation or abstraction. It's especially valuable when iterating quickly, building MVPs, or testing ideas with users. Every Mendix app includes a feedback module connected to both Studio Pro and the Mendix Portal, making it easy to gather and act on real user input during development.
Code When You Need It, Control at Every Step
For experienced developers, control is never sacrificed. You can write custom Java, JavaScript, CSS, HTML where needed. You can extend the platform, build reusable components, or dive into logic when low-code alone isn’t enough. The overall architecture of Mendix ensures that code and models remain aligned. This clarity makes it easier to debug, scale, and maintain applications over time.
What makes this approach powerful is how the layers complement each other. You might begin with MAIA to scaffold a screen, refine the layout using the visual editor, and then add custom logic through code. That flow isn’t constrained by tooling. Each layer informs the others without introducing friction, editing the visual model reflects immediately in the underlying structure. Asking MAIA to make changes updates the app in meaningful, structured ways and code changes automatically coexist cleanly within the development environment.
All of this sits within a broader platform that supports the entire RAD lifecycle. Planning happens through Epics and user stories in the Mendix Portal. Design is informed by rapid prototyping and integrated user feedback. Construction is accelerated by the combination of low-code, AI, and modular components. Deployment is handled with one-click options, built-in testing, and flexibility across cloud environments.
Mendix isn’t reinventing the idea of software development. It’s refining it by removing friction, amplifying productivity, and letting teams work how they want to work. Whether you start with a prompt, a sketch, or a block of code, the platform meets you there and moves with you.
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