8 Software Development Trends that Will Soon Dominate the Tech Industry
8 Software Development Trends that Will Soon Dominate the Tech Industry
The technology industry is ever-growing and changing each day. With the launch of the fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology, the pace of growth will increase. Connection to the internet will no longer be a luxury but a necessity.
The growth of technology has also impacted how software is developed in general. Over the years, the process has gradually progressed to easier and more efficient ways of doing things. The quality of software being developed is now expected to be of higher quality and more functional.
The growth of Artificial Intelligence has also helped change the software development process. The change has been realized through faster development arising from the use of machine learning and deep learning to develop software. The software development trends that will take over the industry include:
1. Low-code Development Platforms (LCDP)
Programming languages have gradually progressed over time from unfamiliar machine languages to more natural languages. This information is common knowledge to any coder and the trend should not shock them. It has thus led to the realization of Low code development. LCDP allows users to develop applications using a graphical user interface.
The technology provides a greater level of obstruction and is easier to use compared to traditional hand-coding. The low code platform can develop applications to completion, but it is often used together with hand-coding. It is ideal when developing databases and some web applications.
It is advantageous since it is easy and requires little skill to start. Therefore, it is accessible to almost anybody. Low code development also speeds up the process of software development. This is because it uses reusable code to develop applications.
2. Automated Software Testing
During software testing, it is vital to validate that the software meets its functional requirements. Traditionally, the process relied on testers to develop and conduct the tests themselves. However, since the process is long and tiresome, most software developers are embracing automated software testing.
The process of automated software testing relies on established frameworks that provide testing tools, scripts, and standards. The software then performs pre-defined test actions and provides its result data.
It is easy to learn automation testing and takes a shorter period compared to manual testing. You can easily take a course online and begin developing and running tests on platforms. The process is simple and yields consistent results.
3. User Experience Design Development
Besides functionality, users are now concerned with the experience while using the software. The importance of a better user experience is being fuelled heavily by the development of e-commerce. Owners of E-commerce platforms want a friendly environment to keep customers coming back.
User experience-based development will be common when creating applications that heavily deal with customers. The trend will also extend to other fields. With the rise in software development, users will constantly migrate to the most usable platform. This information is enough to motivate any design team to put effort into giving the user the best experience.
4. Progressive Web Applications
In layman’s terms, these are applications hosted on the internet rather than being downloaded. Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) are software that uses web-based features and progressive enhancements. These are used in order to offer a native application-like experience.
Common examples include Pinterest, Forbes, and, The Washington Post. They provide users with a native application experience on a web platform. They do not require updating and they don’t need different versions for different devices.
5. Cloud Integration
Cloud computing is no new marvel on the internet. It had, however, not been considered by the majority of the world. With the pandemic in 2020, the world embraced the different types of cloud computing options available. The pandemic created a necessity for online accessibility.
The move led to the change of fronts to accommodate online platforms to enhance accessibility. The pace will pick up, and cloud-based technology will soon be a part of every facet of our life. The change will necessitate the development of more cloud-based software.
6. Cross-Platform Development
The mobile market is rapidly expanding. One big issue that most developers encounter is creating equivalent apps for the various operating systems accessible. The concentration is shifting towards how to develop apps for the different operating systems together.
There have been advancements in creating Frameworks and Software Development Kits (SDKs) such as Flutter to help with the process. The idea is to make applications for different operating systems with the same codebase. Flutter, developed by Google, can build both iOS and Android and even web applications. It is the first and more will follow suit.
7. Increased Use of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery
Continuous delivery (CD) involves producing software in short cycles and delivering the changes to users quickly. CD involves testing, staging, and deploying the code.
Continuous integration (CI)is the process of integrating code modifications and combining them into a single software. The two processes go hand in hand and will be quite common since the software will be developed remotely by different teams of developers. Also common when companies have partnered on a project.
8. Increased use of the BlockChain
The blockchain is famous for its integrity when dealing with a large number of cryptocurrencies. Blockchain technology is a collection of decentralized data ledgers securely shared with a select group of participants. It is useful when dealing with transactional information.
The nature of the technology ensures both the security and integrity of information. It is also hard to corrupt the data on the blockchain. The integrity of technology will prompt more software developers to incorporate it into their work.
Conclusion
There will be more technological advancements coming up in the future, which will also affect software development. It will get easier to develop good software, but developers should not be worried about the security of their jobs. The advancements will not necessarily replace humans. They will give them time to focus on bigger things.
It would be wise to get acquainted with the latest news on available technologies to make your work easier. It will keep you relevant and also help in growing the industry as a whole. This is because you would be testing the technology, and your feedback will help better the technology.
