Applications Generation

“Application Generation” refers to the automated creation of software applications by a system or software tool.
This contrasts with manual coding where a programmer writes each line of code. In application generation, a tool creates the code in response to user specifications.
User specifications include database outlines, user interface design, and inputs/outputs. These can typically be defined using a GUI interface, which the tool then uses to generate the code.
Fourth-generation languages (4GL) are often used in application generation. These high-level languages include SQL, ColdFusion, and MatLab.
Rapid Application Development (RAD) tools are often used, which allow for quicker application generation and iteration.
The tools used in application generation often include predefined templates, debugging tools, and code editors.
While application generation makes software development faster, it often lacks the depth and customisation possible with manual coding. This trade-off is often considered when choosing development methods.
Application generation also allows for prototyping - providing faster feedback and adaptation in the development process.
This method is often used in enterprise software, where applications with similar features are needed across different departments.
Despite its many advantages, application generation may produce less efficient code, which could increase execution time and resource usage.
Additionally, the generated code might not be as readable or clear as manually-produced code, which can make debugging and maintenance more difficult.
Lastly, industries, where security is highly important, might also prefer manually-coded software, as automatically generated code might hide security flaws.