Ask HN: How can I build web apps without knowing how to code them?

Posted by middlegeek on Thursday September 30, 2010 @03:28PM
from the ask-hn dept.

Does anyone know of a resource which allows a person to build web apps without knowing how to code them? Like Google's App Inventor allows people to build (somewhat basic) Android apps with knowing the code, I'd like to find something I can use to build a web app I would like to have for my personal use.

It would be great if it was WYSIWYG or close to that.

I assume it may be somewhat limited, that's fine.

It would be great if I could edit the output with my own code down the line when I learn how to do so.

Hiring someone to do this for me would defeat the purpose. Half the reason I want this is to have something to play with and experiment with.

I have been learning to code on the side. I'd like to learn how to build web apps and am learning how to make Android apps. It is going to take a while and I am fine with that. However I am impatient and would like to find something that allows me to take a bit of a short cut in a way and allow me to play with web app creation in a basic way while I simultaneously learn how to do it the right way.

Thanks!

Re:Ask HN: How can I build web apps without knowing how to c... by kls on Thursday September 30, 2010 @03:52PM (#1744573)

What you seek is a golden goose, it does not exist and probably will not exist for some time. Not until AI is more robust. What you can do is use a product like Wavemake that holds your hand quite a bit http://www.wavemaker.com/ while it is not a "no code" solution, it does simplify things for you. The problem with some solutions like this as when you become more experienced and want more complicated solutions they can get in your way rather than help you.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: How can I build web apps without knowing how to c... by middlegeek on Thursday September 30, 2010 @05:04PM (#1744842)

I did not realize this would be so hard to find, I thought I may be looking in the wrong areas. That looks promising. Thanks very much.

Re:Ask HN: How can I build web apps without knowing how to c... by mthomas on Thursday September 30, 2010 @03:49PM (#1744559)

Have you looked at http://www.web2py.com/. It comes with a webserver and database. There is also a book: http://web2py.com/book and there are prebuilt application that you can install http://web2py.com/appliances

Re:Ask HN: How can I build web apps without knowing how to c... by middlegeek on Thursday September 30, 2010 @05:05PM (#1744848)

Thanks for your input, I will check it out!

Re:Ask HN: How can I build web apps without knowing how to c... by mdipierro on Thursday September 30, 2010 @04:40PM (#1744743)

I think you want this: http://vimeo.com/13485916

Re:Ask HN: How can I build web apps without knowing how to c... by middlegeek on Thursday September 30, 2010 @05:04PM (#1744843)

Cool, thanks very much!