Section 4: The Code in Appian Low-Code

In the last few chapters, you learned how to create a process-driven application using only very little code. That is the standard way of working with Appian. To be honest, that is the only way. In the Appian platform, the closest you can get to coding is in Expression Rules. Unlike other low-code platforms, Appian does not generate Java code in the background that is then deployed and executed. And there is also no in-between layer that executes any scripting language.

Appian Plugins

Appian is a Java Enterprise application and can be enhanced by plugins written in Java and UI components built in HTML and JavaScript. But I recommend going that way only if it is absolutely necessary and is a deal-breaker for your project. Custom plugins will increase the efforts for initial development, testing, and maintenance tremendously.

The reason for this is that Appian can change the way it interprets our configurations and expression rules at any...