Very much disagree, and completely dependent on what you define as "real work". There are many low-cost platforms out there that allow for very rapid development of big projects.

Disclaimer: I used to work for one of them (Mendix)

Looks like a modern Visual Basic 6. Neat.

VB6 was so horrible and productive at the same time. Single person could build an app in days that a team of 10 would struggle with today.

And a group of 10 could bring said app to a stretching halt.

So many memories, good and bad.

Indeed :) I'd say the biggest problems with platforms like these are 1: meaningfully diffing (visual diffing is an unsolved problem) and 2: the enterprise pricing.

Lock in as well.

Was at a company that invented a visual programming tool and forced development to use it.

Several flat out refused. We all went on with our careers. The people that used the proprietary system still work there, not then a decade later. They hated the tool then. But they have no marketable skills set at this point.

You completely misunderstood my comment.

Edit: Stay classy HN