Major Characteristics of the RAD
Automation
RAD emphasizes the use of tools and techniques to automate various aspects of the software development process. This can include code generation, automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. By automating repetitive tasks and processes, RAD allows developers to focus on building high-quality software more efficiently.
Parallel Development of Small Independent Modules
A central aspect of RAD is the development of small, independent modules or components that can be assembled to create a complete application. This approach is aligned with microservice architecture and DevSecOps methodologies, which emphasize the parallel development of individual modules by small, cross-functional teams. This modular approach enables faster development cycles and improved scalability.
Reusable Components
RAD platforms often include libraries of reusable components, such as pre-built UI elements, templates, and microservices, that can be quickly integrated into an application. By leveraging these reusable components, developers can save time and effort in building new features, reduce the likelihood of errors, and promote consistency across applications.
Quicker Feedback Cycle from Customer
RAD's fast-paced development and deployment schedule enables teams to gather user feedback more quickly. This iterative approach allows developers to incorporate user feedback into subsequent development cycles, ensuring that the final product aligns closely with user needs and expectations.
Adherence to Modern Software Compliance
As privacy and security concerns become increasingly important, RAD platforms must help developers adhere to relevant compliance requirements. This can include providing built-in features for secure data storage, encryption, and access controls, as well as automating compliance checks and documentation. By simplifying compliance tasks, RAD platforms can help developers build applications that are secure and privacy-compliant by design. In summary, Rapid Application Development (RAD) is an approach to software development that emphasizes speed, automation, modularity, and iterative feedback. By leveraging RAD principles and tools, development teams can build applications more efficiently, while still maintaining high quality and compliance standards.
Compare RAD with Other Contemporary Approaches
| Language Frameworks | Low-Code | RAD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Business Solution | Not possible | Achievable through solution templates | Solution Templates make the realization of the business solutions faster |
| Rapid technical solution and Full-proofing software architecture | Certain aspects are taken care of due to code-scaffolding. However, the coder’s initiative is paramount. | Behind-the-scene management. No effort is required from the customer. | Tools, and the Code Framework takes care of without effort from the customer. |
| Access to Source Code | Yes | No | Yes |
| Speed of Code Generation | Faster due to scaffolding, but usual coding effort | Very fast aided by UI-driven code generation | Very fast aided by UI-driven code generation |
| Code Documentation | Manual | No transparency. Not available to customer | Available - fully-documented codebase. |
| Adherence to Standard secure coding practices | Certain aspects are taken care of due to code-scaffolding though the coder’s initiative is paramount. | No transparency. | Code generated to well-laid practices and fully transparent with codebase being available. |
| Accuracy and Reducing Bugs | Certain aspects are taken care of due to code scaffolding. However, the coder’s initiative is paramount. | Not transparently visible to customer. | High-quality codebase is available to the customer. |
| Deployment Migration | Complex tasks from system administration to code configurations | No interoperability. | Easy steps to move the application from one location to another |
| Security Management | Additional effort needed though specific initiatives may have been included in the framework. | No transparency though assurance is given with various certifications | Security audit is integrated into the codebase. |
| Application Life-cycle management | Tedious though a few aspects of the codebase are streamlined through the use of a framework. | No difficulty. | No difficulty. |
| Lowering Cost of running digital asset | Expensive DevSecOps. | Though development and maintenance are cost-effective, running the application is very expensive due to per user billing models. | Lowers the cost of DevSecOps, and billing cost is transparent to the customer. |
| Rapid Business Solution | |
| Language Frameworks | Not possible |
| Low-Code | Achievable through solution templates |
| RAD | Solution Templates make the realization of the business solutions faster |
| Rapid technical solution and Full-proofing software architecture | |
| Language Frameworks | Certain aspects are taken care of due to code-scaffolding. However, the coder’s initiative is paramount |
| Low-Code | Behind-the-scene management. No effort is required from the customer |
| RAD | Tools, and the Code Framework takes care of without effort from the customer |
| Access to Source Code | |
| Language Frameworks | Yes |
| Low-Code | No |
| RAD | Yes |
| Speed of Code Generation | |
| Language Frameworks | Faster due to scaffolding, but usual coding effort |
| Low-Code | Very fast aided by UI-driven code generation |
| RAD | Very fast aided by UI-driven code generation |
| Code Documentation | |
| Language Frameworks | Manual |
| Low-Code | No transparency. Not available to customer |
| RAD | Available - fully-documented codebase |
| Adherence to Standard secure coding practices | |
| Language Frameworks | Certain aspects are taken care of due to code-scaffolding though the coder’s initiative is paramount. |
| Low-Code | No transparency. |
| RAD | Code generated to well-laid practices and fully transparent with codebase being available |
| Accuracy and Reducing Bugs | |
| Language Frameworks | Certain aspects are taken care of due to code scaffolding. However, the coder’s initiative is paramount. |
| Low-Code | Not transparently visible to customer. |
| RAD | High-quality codebase is available to the customer. |
| Deployment Migration | |
| Language Frameworks | Complex tasks from system administration to code configurations |
| Low-Code | No interoperability. |
| RAD | Easy steps to move the application from one location to another |
| Security Management | |
| Language Frameworks | Additional effort needed though specific initiatives may have been included in the framework. |
| Low-Code | No transparency though assurance is given with various certifications |
| RAD | Security audit is integrated into the codebase. |
| Application Life-cycle management | |
| Language Frameworks | Tedious though a few aspects of the codebase are streamlined through the use of a framework. |
| Low-Code | No difficulty. |
| RAD | No difficulty. |
| Lowering Cost of running digital asset | |
| Language Frameworks | Expensive DevSecOps. |
| Low-Code | Though development and maintenance are cost-effective, running the application is very expensive due to per user billing models. |
| RAD | Lowers the cost of DevSecOps, and billing cost is transparent to the customer. |
