EUD

End-user development (EUD) is a field in human-computer interaction that studies techniques and tools that enable non-professional programmers to create, modify, or extend software and systems to meet their own needs. It includes end-user programming, end-user software engineering, and related practices that let domain experts address tasks in data analysis, automation, and personalization without relying exclusively on professional developers.

Techniques in EUD include end-user programming with spreadsheets, macros, and scripting in applications, as well as visual programming languages. No-code and low-code platforms provide higher-level components to assemble applications, while programming by example and program synthesis help users generate functionality from demonstrations. Domain-specific languages and form builders also support tailoring tools to local workflows. The goal is to lower barriers to expression and enable rapid, iterative development by the people who understand the tasks best.

Historical and practical context shows that the rise of personal computing and enterprise automation propelled EUD forward. Spreadsheets are often cited as early EUD tools, and modern work environments emphasize reliability, maintainability, and governance of user-developed software. EUD is applied in offices, education, and specialized domains to automate repetitive tasks, prototype solutions, and customize tools to fit workflows and data practices.

Challenges include ensuring quality, portability, security, and maintainability of user-created programs, as well as data governance and privacy concerns. Providing appropriate user support while preserving autonomy, and integrating EUD artifacts with professional software ecosystems, are ongoing research and policy considerations. Related concepts include end-user programming, low-code and no-code development, macro languages, and visual programming.