Mastering State, Memory & Variables in No-Code App Builder

Today’s apps are easily accessed from a watch, phone, or tablet—but behind the scenes, they rely on complex state management, variable control, and memory-intensive operations. No-code, low-code, and super app builders must tackle these challenges head-on or face a harsh truth: without proper architecture, they can’t scale across multi-user, multi-page environments or persist beyond a single session.

In this article, we explore how modern no-code app builders should handle variables, manage state, and optimize memory usage. If you need a refresher, check out our guides on what a super app is and what a no-code app builder is.

1. The History of State and Variables

The concept of a “variable” — something that can stand in place of a changing value — predates modern programming. But before we dive into that, let’s first define what a variable is.

By definition, a variable is:

“The properties of an object which can take on different values”

— Oxford Reference.

There are countless other definitions, but they one way or all refer to something that changes values, can be retrieved, disposed of, or referenced(read from).  

Babylonians around 1800 BCE were among the first to solve complex problems using a base-60 number system. They did not use variables as we know them today, but their mathematical tablets (e.g., Plimpton 322) 

Babylonian tablet

Plimpton 322 tablet – One of the earliest known examples of Babylonian mathematics. Image courtesy of the University of British Columbia.

show equations solved using positional placeholders – symbols or words to represent unknowns in quadratic and linear equations. For example, they may write something like:

“Length plus width equals 10; length times width equals 20.”

They would then solve for the unknowns step-by-step using geometric logic, much like algebra.

By the 9th century CE, Al-Khwarizmi, a Persian mathematician, formalized the use of variables in algebra (from “al-jabr”), using letters to represent unknowns, a direct conceptual precursor to what we call variables today.

In Europe, the foundation for using variables is credited to  René Descartes, and other mathematicians, around the 17th century,  began using x, y, and z to represent unknown values systematically in equations.

Fast forward, in Germany, in the 1930s, aviation construction magazines started posting state workflow diagrams that sometimes represented variables and decision points. Around the same time, but published in the 1940s, came into the world the first programming language was born, also born in Germany. The creator, Konrad Zuse, named it Plankalkül (German for “Plan Calculus”). His variables were like V0, V1, Z1, and naturally supported loops, conditions, arrays, and data structures. Because Plankalkül was never compiled or executed during Konrad Zuse’s lifetime, credit for the first widely used programming language to support variables at runtime goes to FORTRAN, released by IBM in 1957.

simple Fortran progam

2. Global Variables vs. Functional Approach

Shortly after the release of FORTRAN in 1957, a new paradigm emerged with the development of LISP (1958–1960). LISP didn’t just introduce list-based processing—it championed the idea of functional programming, where values are passed as inputs to functions and returned as outputs, without relying on shared, mutable memory.

The Global Variable Model

FORTRAN and other early imperative languages used global variables—values stored in memory and accessible from anywhere in the program.
Pros:

• Easy to implement across multiple components
• Suitable for long-lived applications needing shared context
  Cons:
• Prone to bugs from unexpected overwrites
• Hard to trace changes in large applications
• Encourages tight coupling and low modularity

The Functional Approach (LISP and beyond)

Functional programming introduced the concept of pure functions:

• No side effects
• No access to external or shared state
• All data is passed via arguments
  Pros:
• Easier to test and debug
• Highly modular and predictable
• Encourages immutability and stateless design
  Cons:
• No built-in persistent memory—values disappear after the function returns
• Managing shared context becomes harder
• Can feel abstract or unnatural for real-world, multi-user apps

The Implications for No-Code App Builders

No-code platforms today must choose:

• Do they store variable values globally in a central “variable center” accessible by all elements?
• Or do they pass values element-to-element like pure function inputs?

ACENji takes a clear stance: we use a centralized variable center connected to users and roles. This choice isn’t a rejection of the functional or immutable paradigm—far from it. Functional design is elegant and powerful. However, in the context of no-code platforms, which are primarily used by non-technical users, a purely functional approach creates unnecessary barriers. It demands abstract thinking that most users aren’t prepared for, making adoption and usability far more difficult.

3. Persistent State: The Scope Struggle

One of the most difficult challenges in no-code platforms is preserving state across time, navigation, and user behavior. In traditional programming, developers manage variable scope explicitly—whether local to a function, global to a session, or stored in a database. In no-code, this complexity must be abstracted without losing power.

Why Each Element Needs Its Own Memory.

Every element in a no-code builder—button, input field, logic block—has context. That context is only meaningful if it can retain memory of its value and condition across:

• Page reloads
• Session interruptions
• User navigation
• Multi-step workflows

If an element loses its state every time the page is refreshed or the user comes back later, the app becomes fragile and unusable for anything beyond the simplest cases.

ACENji’s Approach: Automatic and Flexible State.

At ACENji, each element is automatically assigned a mini “state database” that quietly tracks its variables behind the scenes. This memory is:

• Persistent across sessions and navigation
• Hidden from the end user to reduce cognitive load
• Continuously calculated to ensure real-time consistency

For power users, we offer an advanced mode where multiple element states can be:

• Merged into shared states
• Manually defined or overridden
• Enhanced with metadata and cross-element logic

This hybrid approach ensures that beginners never worry about state, while advanced users get the flexibility they need for scalable, complex workflows.

4. Balancing Element, Global Variables, and Super App Variables.

As no-code platforms evolve to support more complex applications—including multi-page flows and embedded mini-apps—a clear structure for variable management becomes essential. In ACENji, we recognize three distinct scopes of variables: element-level, global app-level, and super app-level.

4.1 Element Variables:

These are the most localized. They live inside UI components—buttons, forms,

 toggles—and store values such as selected options, temporary inputs, or visibility flags. 

They’re:

• Fast and context-aware
• Disposable unless intentionally persisted
• Ideal for component-specific logic

4.2 Global App Variables

These persist across the pages of a single app and act as the shared memory for coordinating between multiple elements.
Use cases:

• Tracking logged-in user ID
• Carrying data between steps in a multi-page form
• Updating user profile details from any screen.

But conflicts can emerge if the same global variable is updated by multiple elements without a clear sync model.

4.3 Super App Variables

Unique to ACENji and other no-code platforms operating at super app scale, these variables span across multiple mini-apps. They are:

• Used to pass context between different apps
• Persistent across sessions and modules
• Often linked to platform-level data, roles, or user preferences
  Examples include:
• A user’s global theme preference
• Access level or role-based permissions
• Notification counts or engagement metrics tracked across apps

ACENji’s Hierarchical Sync Model

To prevent conflicts and confusion, ACENji uses a layered sync model:

• Element variables can be mapped to global variables via configuration.
• Global variables can inherit or write to super app variables when designated.
• This structure ensures clean separation, deliberate sync paths, and low friction for users.
• Data can travel up and down the layers.

In scalable no-code systems, it’s not enough to have variables—you need to define where they live, who owns them, and how they relate to each other.

5. User-Linked vs. Machine-Linked Variables 

One of the biggest architectural divides in modern no-code platforms is the distinction between user-linked and machine-linked variables. While both are essential, they serve fundamentally different purposes, and failing to separate them cleanly leads to unpredictable behavior at scale.

 User-Linked Variables:

These are variables tied directly to a specific user’s identity, session, or role. They include:

• Personal preferences (e.g., dark mode, language)
• Authenticated profile details (e.g., email, user ID, organization)
• Role-specific permissions (e.g., viewer, editor, admin).

In multi-user apps, user-linked variables ensure that each user sees only their own data, behaves according to their assigned role, and has an isolated context across shared interfaces.

Machine-Linked (or Element-Linked) Variables

These are system-side values tied to element behavior or platform logic:

• Whether a toggle is on or off
• The internal value of a slider
• Temporary variables are used to calculate logic or control display

These variables are not user-aware—they behave the same no matter who is using the app, and they often reset when the page reloads.

Why This Matters in No-Code

Most no-code platforms were originally designed for single-user, static apps—great for forms, dashboards, or internal tools. But as expectations grew, many of these platforms struggled to evolve. Even today, some of the most widely known no-code builders:

• Do not support user roles or multi-user sessions
• Cannot differentiate variables between users
• Offer only a machine-linked state, shared across everyone

This creates limitations:

• Users see the same data regardless of identity
• Apps can’t scale to team workflows or secure environments
• Developers must resort to workarounds or external tools to enforce access control

ACENji’s Layered Model

In ACENji, every variable is explicitly scoped:

• Is it tied to the user?
• To the machine or the element?
• To a group or role?

This clarity enables multi-user, multi-role experiences out of the box, with no hacks, external integrations, or role-based kludges. It’s how we move from static apps to truly dynamic platforms.

6. Who Uses Variables: Users, Machine, Admin.

Not all variables serve the same purpose—or the same audience. In scalable no-code platforms, it’s critical to distinguish who the variable is for, when it’s used, and who controls it. ACENji treats each type with clear boundaries, making app behavior predictable and flexible.

6.1 User Variables

Used and controlled by end users, typically through interaction with the UI:

• Form inputs
• Toggle selections
• Uploaded content
• Navigation state (e.g., which page/tab a user is on).

These variables must be persistent per user and isolated across sessions or accounts.

6.2 Machine Variables

Controlled by the platform or app logic itself:

• System-generated flags (e.g., “isFormValid”)
• Temporary values used in conditionals or calculations
• Internal event triggers or visibility conditions.

These are not visible to the user and are often reset or refreshed during app execution.

6.3 Admin Variables

Set at design time by the app builder (the admin), not the end user:

• App-wide settings
• Feature toggles (e.g., enable beta mode)
• Default values for fields
• Permissions and workflow settings.

These are often static or rarely changed after app deployment.

6.4 Calculated Variables

Created at runtime based on user interaction or system events:

• “TotalPrice” calculated from selected items
• “NextAvailableDate” based on logic and time
• Derived metrics like “UserEngagementScore”.

These values are neither user-entered nor hardcoded—they’re computed dynamically and may not be stored unless explicitly saved.

ACENji’s Explicit Variable Roles

At ACENji, we make these distinctions built into the platform, not just naming conventions:

• Every variable can be tagged as a combination of a set consisting of User, Machine, Admin, or Calculated
• Developers and power users can filter, organize, and trace behavior based on type
• Runtime logic knows who should be allowed to read or write to each variable.

7. Design-Time vs. Run-Time Variables

In no-code platforms, not all variables are created or known at the same time. A key architectural challenge is managing the lifecycle of variables: some are defined up front by the app builder (design-time), while others are created or populated dynamically as the app runs (run-time).

7.1 Design-Time Variables.

They are created during the building phase of the app by admins, designers, or developers.
Examples:

• Role definitions like group_leader
• Static configuration, such as default visibility or access
• Predefined fields that act as empty memory slots for future data.

These variables often exist before any user ever interacts with the app, serving as the skeleton structure.

7.2 Run-Time Variables.

Created or modified during actual app use, often user-specific or context-sensitive.
Examples:

• A user enters how they want to be called: preferred_name
• A user votes “yes,” “no,” or “maybe” to becoming a group leader
• A status variable like has_completed_step_3 updates mid-session.

These are dynamic and often temporary unless stored.

ACENji embraces a layered approach where admins can prepare variables ahead of time, while users populate them at runtime:

• At design time, an admin may create a variable like preferred_name or wants_to_be_leader, but leave it empty.
• At runtime, each user fills in their own value—e.g., “Alex” or “I will if no one else steps up.”
• When it’s time to assign the official group leader, the admin selects a specific user by changing the group_leader variable from undefined to that user’s ID or name.
• This change is then visible to all users, enabling shared awareness and coordinated logic.

8. The Role of Calculated and Derived Variables.

In modern no-code applications, not all data is entered manually or stored in a database—some of it is generated on the fly. These are known as calculated or derived variables, and they are essential for creating dynamic experiences, personalized flows, and conditional logic.

What Are Calculated Variables?

Calculated variables are computed at runtime based on:

• User input
• System conditions
• Logic expressions
• Time, events, or other variables

Examples:

• total_price = quantity * unit_price
• days_until_deadline = due_date – current_date
• user_score = base_score + bonus_points

These values are not static, and they may not need to be saved—just used temporarily in real-time decisions.

Why They Matter

Calculated variables are the backbone of:

• Personalization (e.g., adjusting content based on location or role)
• Workflow automation (e.g., enabling or disabling buttons)
• Logic branching (e.g., showing different screens based on scores or answers)

They allow apps to respond intelligently to what’s happening now, without extra storage or admin input.

ACENji’s Functional Strategy

In ACENji, calculated variables follow a functional approach:

• Their values are not stored globally by default
• Instead, they are passed between functions, elements, or pages as needed
• This ensures clean, stateless logic that avoids memory bloat

For advanced use cases, calculated values can even be passed across mini-apps, maintaining precision while avoiding unwanted persistence.

9. Variable Centers: Centralized State Management.

As no-code apps scale across pages, users, and even mini-apps, a centralized hub for managing variables becomes essential. ACENji uses a Variable Center—a dedicated space where all global, user-linked, and app-level variables are organized, synced, and controlled.

This architecture ensures consistency, avoids duplication, and simplifies debugging as the complexity of the app grows.

We’ll explore the full architecture of ACENji’s Variable Center in a separate

 deep-dive article [coming soon].

10. Future of Variables in No-Code App Builders.

As no-code platforms become more intelligent, the role of variables is shifting from user-defined to machine-driven. In the early days, variables were created and managed by users or admins. Today, platforms like ACENji already auto-generate variables, infer scope, and calculate values dynamically. But what comes next?

The Next Phase: Machine-Created and Machine-Used Variables

We anticipate a future where:

• Most variables are generated, populated, and modified by the system itself
• Logic is inferred, not hardcoded
• Even “users” are machine agents, AI avatars, or automated processes interacting with the app

In such apps:

• There may be no manual user input at all
• Variables will track automated decision flows, AI predictions, and real-time integrations
• The system becomes not just a tool, but an adaptive actor within a larger digital ecosystem

The future of no-code isn’t just low friction—it’s no friction. Variables will exist, but we’ll rarely need to name or touch them.

Variables are the silent backbone of every no-code app—holding state, driving personalization, and powering logic. As no-code platforms like ACENji evolve, variable management must also mature: from local and user-defined to global, shared, and eventually machine-driven. Understanding the lifecycle, scope, and role of each variable type is essential for building scalable, intelligent applications. The future points toward a world where most variables are invisible, automatically handled by systems smarter than their users, whether human or AI.