Forem: Vera Tiago

What are some of the top AI-powered tools developers are using these days?

Vera Tiago — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:25:57 +0000

Here are a few I’m familiar with:

lovable.dev
bolt.new
v0.dev
tempo.new

There’s also bubble.io, which leans more towards a no-code approach.

Are you using any AI-assisted development tool?

Vera Tiago — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:29:40 +0000

How OutSystems Mentor Uses AI to Streamline Development

Vera Tiago ・ Mar 17

#genai #lowcode #nocode #webdev

How OutSystems Mentor Uses AI to Streamline Development

Vera Tiago — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:18:28 +0000

Like many other developers, I have mixed feelings about AI and code generation. On one hand, AI makes things more interesting by providing a solid baseline to build upon, which can speed up the development process. On the other hand, it raises concerns about creating more technical debt down the line.

Lately, I’ve been testing different AI-assisted development tools, and I’d like to share some thoughts about Mentor from OutSystems.

Imagine going from an idea to a fully functional prototype in just a few minutes — that’s exactly what Mentor by OutSystems promises.

Mentor has two main components:

App Generator
– Generates a working application based on your input, including data models, business logic, and UI.

App Editor
– Uses AI to help you modify and refine the generated application, streamlining the iteration process.

App Generator - How It Works

Start with a Prompt
Just provide an app name, and AI will create a basic version to get you started. For example, you could start with "Order Management App" and get a
working draft in minutes - screens, data model, roles, logic, etc.
Upload a Requirements Document
If you have a detailed spec (DOCX or PDF), AI will pull out key details like entities, roles, attributes, and workflows to build a solid starting version of an app.

Refine and Customize
AI will suggest key data tables, but it's possible to adjust them before generating the app to better fit the needs. Like adding new tables or columns, or changing data types.
Connect with External Systems
OutSystems also allows connecting with external systems like SAP and Salesforce without complex coding.
Define User Roles
AI generates default user roles with predefined security settings (e.g., admin and user). However, these roles can be adjusted later by adding or removing roles as needed.

Automated UI and Workflow
AI generates user-friendly forms, dashboards, and table views, plus sets up user permissions and workflows so only the right people can take certain actions (like approvals).
Intelligent Design and Theming
AI applies a clean, professional theme and can even extract branding colors from your uploaded files.

App Editor — Easy Full-Stack Customization

Once the app is generated, you can fine-tune it using the App Editor:

Visual Overview – See your app’s structure (screens, data, roles) at a glance.
Smart Suggestions – AI recommends new entities, attributes, roles, and UI components.
Real-Time Preview – See live data in the editor without switching between design and runtime.
Easy Management – Modify data, roles, and permissions with a few clicks.
Instant Publishing – Validate and publish updates with one click.

Final Thoughts
As AI continues to improve, tools like Mentor could become a good accelerator for developers.

Next up, I’m planning to explore Lovable — any other AI-assisted development tools you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments!

Official Video

How will AI transform the role of low-code developers?

Vera Tiago — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:13:26 +0000

With the rise of AI, one question keeps coming up: where do low-code developers fit into this new wave? Will AI replace low-code developers?
(btw, screenshot above is from from Mentor — Generative AI App Creator)

Having transitioned from traditional coding to low-code myself (for context, I joined Outsystems 12 years ago), I see a different story. It’s not about one technology replacing another — it’s about how they complement each other to unlock new possibilities.

Understanding Low-Code Development and AI
Before diving into how these two can work together, let me break down what makes them unique.

Low-Code Development Platforms

These platforms allow enterprise companies to quickly build and adapt applications using drag-and-drop widgets and templates, requiring minimal coding. This approach speeds up development and makes it accessible to a broader range of users. There are several “types” of low-code, ranging to target from small and very specific use cases like airtable, to addressing full stack/full lifecycle software delivery (like OutSystems, Mendix, Appian, etc.)

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI refers to various technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), cognitive computing and the popular generative AI (Gen AI). These technologies enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. By automating complex processes, AI can create personalized and adaptive software that learns from data and user interactions.

The Impact of Gen AI on Low-Code Platforms

Low-code platforms are evolving to become more intelligent and adaptable, integrating seamlessly into the software development lifecycle. A significant shift will involve these platforms leveraging generative AI to understand user intent, automate repetitive tasks, and generate complex code snippets. According to Gartner, by 2026, over 80% of independent software vendors will embed GenAI capabilities in their enterprise applications, up from less than 5% today.

The combination of low-code and generative AI will increase productivity by automating routine tasks. This allows developers to focus on complex logic and creative problem-solving. In essence, GenAI acts as a productivity booster, optimizing development processes across the board. But doesn’t this sound familiar? Wasn’t this the promise of low-code itself? So, is the integration of AI with low-code an additional step in boosting productivity? What does this truly signify?

How AI Will Impact the Lives of Low-Code Developers

While AI will definitely boost productivity for low-code developers, it will also introduce new challenges and areas that require attention:

Complex Logic Still Dependent on Human Input
GenAI will automate tasks such as data modeling and scaffolding, speeding up the development process. However, while AI can quickly handle up to 80% of a project, the final 20% — which involves customizations, complex logic, and problem-solving — will still require significant human input.

“Humans” as Code Validators
Even though AI will reduce the amount of routine coding, experienced developers who understand software architecture and security will become even more valuable. AI can make mistakes, so human expertise will be crucial for validating and correcting AI-generated code. Senior developers will play a key role in ensuring that AI-generated solutions meet quality standards.

Challenges for Junior Developers
The rise of AI does pose challenges, particularly for junior developers. Some developers using tools like Copilot have expressed concerns about the long-term impact on newcomers. If AI handles most basic coding tasks, junior developers may struggle to gain the foundational skills that senior developers acquire through hands-on experience. This shift could lead to a situation where junior developers mainly learn by debugging AI-generated code, which might hinder their overall skill development.

Conclusion

I believe the future for low-code developers lies in adaptation. GenAI introduces another layer of abstraction, and as we move forward, developers will focus more on strategic design, problem-solving, and aligning AI-generated solutions with business goals. Those who can bridge the gap between business requirements and AI outputs will be essential for successful software development.

While AI offers tremendous potential, it also brings risks, especially concerning governance and over-reliance on automation. Ultimately, the role of low-code developers is far from over; it is evolving into a more specialized and strategic role. Understanding AI and its limitations will be crucial for thriving in this new digital age.

How do you find out about new technologies and trends?

Vera Tiago — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 15:07:24 +0000

There is brand new technology released each and every day. As a developer, how do you stay up to date with latest trends and new technologies? Any particular podcast or publication? dev.to :) ?

Is DevRel a luxury for big corporations?

Vera Tiago — Sat, 07 May 2022 12:00:34 +0000

Is it true that only giants should invest in a DevRel team? The answer is becoming clearer than ever that it is "no".

And the reason for this is that smaller companies, startups, and medium-sized businesses, more than large corporations, need to connect with their user base and partner with them.

But, what exactly is DevRel?

Developer Relations (DevRel) is a mindset that aims to get developers to adopt a platform or technology and succeed in their professional lives or side projects.

To ensure the success of Developers with your product, you need:

Existence of market fit
Developers know how to use it
Developers enjoy using it

So, if you have a ten-person startup, why should one of them be a DevRel expert? First and foremost, because you are most likely still developing your product and want to shape it to meet the demands of developers, you should have someone form relationships with that audience, solicit input, and influence your product roadmap. Aside from that, receiving feedback from the field and demonstrating market fit will help you** gain investor confidence**.

After you've established market fit and made your product stand out from the crowd, you'll want to make sure you give your developers an exceptional Developer Experience. So, in addition to the product's usability, it's critical to develop tools that help your Developer be more productive with your product - how-tos, tutorials, sample code, training, and so on. tutorials, sample code, training, and so on.

However, productivity isn't always enough to keep developers on board. They must also like using your product and be able to brag about their achievements to their peers. With that in mind, "Community" is another pillar DevRel provides that can help a Startup succeed.

Building a sustained and vibrant community can help developers form an emotional connection with you and provide the resources they need to succeed, such as a network of like-minded individuals who can help them unblock when they get stuck. When they become fans, they will tell the world how they feel about you and your product, and they will help you raise awareness among the developer community throughout the world.

In conclusion, DevRel can assist with the following high-level business objectives:

Confirm Market fit
Shape product roadmap
Raise awareness and drive adoption of the product
Decrease time-to-deployment/time-to-revenue (productivity)
Expand your support efforts

Finally, DevRel stands for intensive relationship management and should not be viewed as a sprint but rather an endurance race. The successful build-up of Community and networking in the developer scene requires a long-term, sustainable strategy and a great deal of energy and repetition. Winning over depends on good ideas, suitable content, holistic support, and follow-through.

Gen-Z #developers vs Millennials, how are they different?

Vera Tiago — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:34:08 +0000

Gen-Z are the digital natives (those born in 1997 onward), who were raised on social media, connected with their friends, family on Facebook, entertained on Tiktok, and are finding their opportunities on many social platforms.

Is YouTube king for this generation? how do you master your coding skill?

How about Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996)? How do they/we learn?

What are your top 3 frustrations as a Developer?

Vera Tiago — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 16:17:36 +0000

Is Low-Code for Pro Developers? Here are the Reasons Why I Decided to Embrace It

Vera Tiago — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 08:58:29 +0000

“Low-code is a black box, and I will hit the wall at some point. It’s limited and only works if you follow a template. It’s not coding at all.”

These were some of my thoughts ten years ago before I decided to give low-code a chance. I was very skeptical, and I decided to learn more about it because I wanted to have informed conversations about the topic. Guess what? I’ve changed my mind, and today I am a huge advocate for low-code.

A few years later, and thinking a bit more about this “controversial” topic, I realized many of these objections to low-code are triggered by the fact that low-code means many things to many people. Many “low-code” tools target different challenges and require different levels of technical proficiency, like website generators, form builders, API connectors, database builders, workflow automation, and more.

Recently, we have started to hear about low-code for pro developers, as tools like OutSystems, Mendix, Appian, SalesForce, and PowerApps, rise in popularity.

I guess we could measure low-code tools based on the use case they cover. The more generic it is, the closer you are to a programming language.

For example, with Salesforce you get the CRM ecosystem; with Appian you get the workflow/business processes, and so on.

However, with tools like OutSystems or Mendix, you are able to manage the entire app development lifecycle, for enterprise apps in general. Mobile or Web.

As a proud pro-developer myself, I decided to share the reasons why I embraced low-code, in particular, OutSystems:

1. Code Extensibility

For someone who always enjoyed “being in control,” I first struggled to change my mindset to use a visual language. Being able to extend it with my own code was one of the things that made me stick with it.

OutSystems is open by design to allow all layers of applications to be extended with custom “traditional” code: front-end, back-end, database, and integrations.

Instead of relying on the visual widget, I remember building my SQL queries by hand - I know, don’t judge me! I was trying to stay in my comfort zone. I also remember building a file upload functionality with JavaScript on top of OutSystems without realizing I could simply drag and drop a widget and fill in some parameters to accomplish the same result. This made me realize that going through that process was important to recognize how flexible OutSystems is.

2. Easy Integration

No software products exist in silos, and we constantly need to integrate with open-source libraries, 3rd party APIs, legacy data stores, and much more. With each integration comes a new boilerplate code to handle the specific requirements of each dependency, and this code requires maintenance whenever the dependency changes.

My first integration was with an existing Database (I had my data already), and it was mind-blowing!

OutSystems abstracts the boilerplate work by providing templates and ready-made connections to popular services and databases like Salesforce, SAP, Microsoft, etc. And all of these out-of-the-box connectors are designed for reusability, maintainability, and ease of change. Besides these connectors, the OutSystems Community offers tons of other pre-built connectors in Forge (OutSystems Code repository), and it’s also possible to build our own connectors due to code extensibility and API integrations.

Not to mention the simplicity of consuming and exposing REST API or how easy it is to import any Swagger or OpenAPI specification from a file or URL. We basically just need to pick and choose only the methods that you want. It’s also possible to configure API authentication, basic or more advanced like oAuth or JWT.

3. Repetitive Work Reduction

Software development is a form of self-expression, and it can be incredibly rewarding, particularly when you get past the roadblocks. There’s nothing more exciting than a “I built this!” moment. The downside is, software development is manual work and it can be very repetitive. This drains our energy and makes us fall into a vortex of frustration.

So when I first started exploring with OutSystems, I realized that most of the obvious/standard development tasks were being handled out of the box: authentication, authorization, form validations, basic security, error handling, CRUD screens, etc.

And this happens because, as a platform, OutSystems is a visual language that abstracts other languages similar to how Java or C# abstract Assembler.

This allows us, developers, to focus on the WHAT rather than on the technical details of the HOW.

4. Getting Things Done

The drag-and-drop nature of low-code and its fast deployment capabilities enable developers to put together not just a prototype but a working solution really fast. Why is this important? Well, in most cases, what delays the software development process is:

1) Clients don't know what they want or are unable to translate their idea into developer lingo;
2) Users change their minds all the time (the changing requirements saga).

So by having a quick prototype up and running, users can give their feedback in a much more straightforward way and we, developers, can then turn that "prototype" into the end product faster, aligned with the user's needs from the very beginning. This is a game-changer and really impacts "getting things done".

5. Front-End, Back-End, and Deployment in One Platform

Unless you’re specialized in a specific area, being a software developer means you are a generalist and work with different tools, technologies, and programming languages to handle front-end, back-end, and deployment. This can be overwhelming because the IT world is in constant evolution, and we need to learn new things all the time .

With OutSystems, I rely on a single tool for building UI, relational databases, data structures, logic, and integrations connecting with external systems, all visually and with the flexibility of going under the hood when needed.

In a low-code tool, the visual model is translated into standard technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, C#, and the code is compiled and deployed as needed.

In OutSystems, the way you express your code, frontend or backend, is pretty much the same. It doesn’t matter that in the end it is going to be pure JavaScript, REACTjs or C#.

6. Unified Experience while Developing for Different Platforms

Software development is a very complex world, and besides what has been mentioned above, developers need to handle multiple platforms - web, desktop, hybrid, mobile, iOS, Android, etc.

So, due to low-code’s web-focused nature and hybrid mobile technologies (hybrid tech allows developers to build native mobile applications with HTML and JavaScript), low-code is uniquely positioned to generate desktop and mobile applications from a single codebase.

It’s amazing how I never had to learn Xcode to build an iOS app, and from the same code, I could extract the API or APK packages (iOS or Android) and submit them to the app store using the regular submission mechanisms.

7. Security

Security is a top concern when building enterprise software and it involves a lot of work on different fronts.

In my journey with low-code, when I got to the point of considering it as a serious tool, I was concerned about security:

“Low-code provides a lot of abstraction and automation, but how secure are the apps we build with low-code? What are the flaws?”

I learned when using low-code tools, things like using up-to-date, secure libraries and frameworks, secure access to databases, handling exceptions and errors, authentication and authorization, encoding and escaping techniques, application and system auditing, were carried out and handled along the way by out-of-the-box mechanisms. On top of this, I also learned that it’s also possible to extend this “basic” level of security with customized code to achieve advanced security levels.

8. Community

Last but not definitely least, I confess that when I started, part of me felt I was betraying the developers’ brotherhood but then I found the OutSystems Community and that is when I realized there are so many pro developers like me who took this step.

Although the number of developers using low-code is growing year over year, they’re still outnumbered by traditional developers. So, the communities that form around these platforms are naturally strong and supportive.

As a newbie, I had to rely on forums to ask my questions and I always got fast responses, with different perspectives and solutions to my problems. This made me grow so much that at a certain point I was the one helping and unblocking others. Today, the community feels like family and it’s where I find my people and geek out around low-code. From the outside, people sometimes say that we seem to have been “brainwashed” because everyone is passionate about it.

On a Final Note

Low-code doesn't mean easy, but for sure, it means faster and more efficient. Deep technical skills are still needed to succeed on these platforms while building enterprise-grade applications. Over the years, low-code gained traction, and more businesses learned about its benefits over traditional coding practices. It allows you to keep the critical elements of traditional coding solutions — such as flexibility and customization — while saving considerable amounts of time.

If you're still not convinced, why not try low-code for yourself? OutSystems' free edition is free forever, and it's a great way for you to see what developing with low-code is really like.