Best Software Development Trends That Will Shape Innovation

Last updated on September 21st, 2023 at 02:17 pm

The year 2020 will always be remembered for the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was certainly the biggest setback for humankind in modern history. It has changed the way businesses operate and consumers behave.

COVID-19 also brought some unprecedented and unexpected transformations in software development trends as well. The software technology is currently more focused on products aimed at communication and e-commerce. Businesses have learned the lesson and they have started embracing the software technology to innovate, evolve, sustain, and grow. Amid such an uncertain time, one thing is certain, whoever will use the emerging technologies, will be going to make giant strides in the software development space.

We have compiled a list of software development trends that are going to impact your business and shape the innovative quotient of your organization to deliver world-class software products to your client. Unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball to predict the exact technology landscape in the future, but following trends is certainly going to drive the Information Technology world in the future.

1. Centralized Infrastructure: Cloud Computing –

In 2020, while most of the industries (such as Tourism) were affected by a sharp decline in demand, whereas few industries (such as Healthcare) were thriving due to massive demand. The global pandemic demonstrated the need for services and infrastructure that could be either scaled up or down based on the demand.

Here Cloud Computing played an important role, as organizations with cloud-based platforms availed the flexibility to not pay for data center services they didn’t require. Cloud is also preferred because it ensures seamless availability and scalability of Applications and Resources at a nominal cost. This flexibility will encourage other organizations to move their operations to the Cloud shortly.

2. Decentralized Infrastructure: Edge Computing

Edge computing closely works with IoT and it functions closer to where data is created. The software can utilize edge devices to fetch information about them and process the requests then and there while sending relevant information back to the home office. Software developers will have to ensure that edge devices avail the benefits of the processing efficiency and computing speed that they’re capable of while implementing the necessary security considerations.

Cloud service providers and Telecom companies are investing heavily in edge computing, and we may see several innovations and cut-throat competition in this area, which will make it a hot buzzword in 2022 and beyond.

3. Artificial Intelligence

AI is transforming many areas and it is going to gain popularity in the future as well. We are going to witness the revolution with Natural Language Processing (NLP), which will assist computers in writing software programs. AI will enable computer systems to take over functions currently handled by humans, and it will ensure software developers program machines to “execute the right things”.

4. Rapid Application Development with Low Code/No-Code

Every business is assessing the potential of low-code/no-code (LCNC) programming so that they can equip the ability to move ahead swiftly with new initiatives. This method enables software professionals to develop databases and other application components without spending too much time in training. It enhances the agility of the software development process, and this is gaining traction among software enthusiasts and it will grow in 2022 and beyond.

5. Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is certainly the next big thing in the Software world. All the Tech giants are pushing to expand IoT to include billions of connected devices across all industries to develop modern conveniences for end-users. Each of these IoT devices will need software to operate it, which will create massive demand for software developers and security specialists, who can make this IoT ecosystem secure from all sorts of vulnerabilities and threats. IoT is going to get a shot in the arm with the arrival of 5G technology.

6. The emergence of Modern Programming Languages

There is no doubt that Modern problems require modern programming languages. We have witnessed the rise of modern languages such as Go, Kotlin, and Rust due to their innovative features and unprecedented capabilities to deliver scaled solutions. Modern programming languages are poised to make a big mark in the future due to their conciseness and expressiveness.

7. Blockchain

Cryptocurrency comes into mind when we talk about Blockchain technology. However, it has several other use cases such as supply chain management, Land record management, marketplaces, cross-border payment systems, and anti-money laundering tracking systems to name a few. Blockchain is an ideal solution when you want to keep a transparent record of an asset for the long term. Such functions are only going to increase in the future, hence Blockchain will remain in the trend for sure.

8. Extensive Use of CI and CD

Continuous integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) are an integral part of the software development lifecycle. The CI ensures code changes from different programmers are integrated into the software project, while CD ensures changes in features and configuration, as well as error fixes, are incorporated sustainably and quickly. CI and CD help software development companies deliver projects quickly while keeping the cost low but making no compromise on the quality aspects. CI/CD will remain in the trend as they help us to keep the cost low and enhance the development efficiency.

9. Evolution of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

Progressive web apps provide a streamlined experience to the end-user, without having to develop a separate mobile application for a particular Operating System. PWAs can be built using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript and can easily operate on any operating system using a web browser. PWAs help organizations to enhance their customer experience while keeping the cost low. Hence PWAs are going to be trending in the future for sure.

10. The dominance of JavaScript and Python

We are going to see the rising popularity of Programming languages that can offer immaculate functionalities and are easy to learn. However, JavaScript and Python are likely to remain in strong demand in the future. JavaScript is all set to remain the title of the most popular programming language, whereas Python will be used extensively in AI and ML, Data sciences, and game development.

Conclusion

The IT industry is changing its course and shaping itself to cope with the challenges unfurled by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen some unprecedented changes in the way software development usually functions. While we can expect more transformation in the industry, there are certain trends, which are going to fuel the growth in the industry.

It is critical to understand the latest software development trends and forecasts, as they help you to devise long-term planning for your business. With all these developments, the future looks exciting and promising, and we are poised to witness many innovations and unprecedented products in the future. These trends will help the organizations to achieve the much-needed Digital acceleration and push the IT companies to think differently about the usage of technology to meet their organizational, societal, financial, and customer goals.