VBCS (Visual Builder Cloud Service) and VBS (Visual Builder Studio). While they may sound similar and are both part of Oracle’s suite of development tools, they serve distinct purposes and cater to different aspects of application development. In this blog, we will explore the differences between VBCS and VBS, helping you understand which tool is best suited for your needs.
What is VBCS?
Visual Builder Cloud Service (VBCS) is a cloud-based development platform that allows users to create web and mobile applications with minimal coding. It provides a visual development environment where developers can drag and drop components to build user interfaces, integrate with back-end services, and manage data. VBCS is particularly beneficial for organizations looking to rapidly develop applications without extensive programming knowledge.
Key Features of VBCS:
- Low-Code Development: VBCS emphasizes a low-code approach, enabling users to create applications quickly and efficiently. This is ideal for business users or citizen developers who may not have a strong technical background.
- Responsive Design: Applications built with VBCS are responsive by default, ensuring they work seamlessly across various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Integration Capabilities: VBCS allows for easy integration with Oracle Cloud services and other third-party applications, making it a versatile choice for organizations with diverse technology stacks.
- Data Management: Users can connect to various data sources, including REST APIs and Oracle databases, to manage and manipulate data within their applications.
What is VBS?
Visual Builder Studio (VBS), on the other hand, is a more comprehensive development environment that extends beyond just application building. It is designed for professional developers and teams, providing a full suite of tools for application lifecycle management, collaboration, and version control.
Key Features of VBS:
- Integrated Development Environment (IDE): VBS offers a robust IDE that supports advanced coding capabilities, allowing developers to write custom code, manage libraries, and utilize version control systems like Git.
- Collaboration Tools: VBS is built for teams, providing features that facilitate collaboration among developers, such as code reviews, issue tracking, and project management tools.
- Application Lifecycle Management: VBS supports the entire application lifecycle, from development to deployment and maintenance. This includes features for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), ensuring that applications can be updated and maintained efficiently.
- Support for Multiple Languages: Unlike VBCS, which primarily focuses on low-code development, VBS supports multiple programming languages, allowing developers to leverage their existing skills and frameworks.
When to Use VBCS vs. VBS
- Use VBCS if you are a business user or a citizen developer looking to create simple applications quickly without extensive coding knowledge. It’s perfect for prototyping, internal tools, or applications that require rapid development.
- Use VBS if you are a professional developer or part of a development team that needs a robust environment for building complex applications. VBS is ideal for projects that require collaboration, version control, and a full suite of development tools.
Conclusion
In summary, while both VBCS and VBS are valuable tools within Oracle’s ecosystem, they cater to different audiences and use cases. VBCS is designed for rapid, low-code application development, making it accessible to non-technical users. In contrast, VBS provides a comprehensive development environment for professional developers, emphasizing collaboration and advanced coding capabilities. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right tool for your application development needs, ensuring that you can leverage Oracle’s powerful cloud offerings effectively.
— Written by Ankit Gandhi