Towards consistency management in low-code platforms

Abstract

Low-code platforms are developed and packaged by the supplier, and subsequently, citizen developers engineer and maintain their own applications. The resulting application is a product of two separate engineering phases without proper coordination and communication facilities between them. In these applications, inconsistencies emerge because of model/data co-evolution, e.g., the data model changes while running instances of the application are in use. Low-code platforms typically lack proper metamodeling facilities, and as a consequence, state-of-the-art multi-view and multi-paradigm inconsistency management techniques fall short of adequately addressing inconsistencies. We propose an approach for managing multi-artifact consistency to address inconsistencies in low-code applications properly. This paper outlines the approach, presents preliminary findings, and discusses future research plans.