7-Top Trends in Software Development

 

According to Albert Einstein, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”  

 

We are in the mid of 2021 and have entered in new decade with a flood of excitement for the changes and trends, we have seen yet in tech.

 

Software development has accounted as an integral part of approximately every sector in the world, therefore the advancements and transformations in software development have impacted our lives. 

 

From education and healthcare to finance and customer management, no such industry is there that hasn’t evolved.

 

In today’s technological era, each sector embraces innovation and induces changes across competitive industries. And the same can be stated for software development trends.

 

They can be ranged from blockchain, cryptocurrency to huge advancements in AI and ML along with a numerous number of initiatives that have influenced changes in the global economy as well. 

 

In terms with the title, this blog describes a factual touch of the latest trends across software development, that are Blockchain, Mixed Reality(Augment and Virtual Reality), IoT, AI and many more. Let’s discuss them in detail.

 

 

Top Trends in Software Development

 

1. Blockchain

 

Blockchain technology has hovered for a more significant consequence in the future of software development. The most beneficial feature of blockchain is decentralized behaviour.

 

Blockchain could collect any sort of information and record in a public-facing database which is impracticable to chop. Although, software developers are exploring the latest and inspiring ideas for implementing the novel developments in blockchain. 

 

Blockchain-based apps are treated as an emerging and attractive choice for developers who are studying for building more decentralized and protected open-source solutions.

 

“We see a lot of feature-driven product design in which the cost of features is not properly accounted for. Features can have a negative value to customers because they make the products more difficult to understand and use. We are finding that people like products that just work. It turns out that designs that just work are much harder to produce than designs that assemble long lists of features.” ― Douglas Crockford, 

 

2. Cybersecurity

 

Cybersecurity might not be treated as other emerging technology but it is continuously evolving because of new kinds of threats and spiteful hackers.

 

The evil hackers are continuously trying to find new ways and even tried hard security measures to get data access.

 

As far as new technology is being adapted to improve security, cybersecurity will be considered as an emerging technology that is unfolded to defend against hackers.

 

More specifically, Cybersecurity is classified into two parts; internal and external. Internal cybersecurity focuses on building business security measures into the software.

 

Generally, DevOps teams focus on automated security modelling and testing into the software development ecosystem that gives surety of not to be susceptibility during the software development ecosystem.

 

(Related Reading: Cybersecurity With Internet of Things (IoT))

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Top 7 trends in Software Development

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3. Internet of Things 

 

One of the most promising technologies at a significant level, IoT is occupying the tech industry. By integrating all the sensors, devices, machines, vehicles, etc, it has set a huge remark on the tech world.

 

Once the 5G technologies will be commencing, various devices could take advantage of reliable transatlantic bandwidth that will make tracking or monitoring easier for various internet-connected devices. 

 

There are various used cases of IoT in various industries, like,

• connected cars,
• remote equipment/record tracking,
• traffic/environmental monitoring,
• remote patient health management/tracking,
• construction machinery management,
• supply chain traceability,
• smart home/smart city automation,
• water/energy consumption monitoring, and many other things. 

 

4. Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning

 

Staying at the top from the past few years, machine learning(ML) and artificial intelligence(AI) are ever-appealing applications in software development. 

 

The powerful features such as chatbots, voice commands, facial recognition, voice virtual assistant, and the huge adoption of AI have brought machine learning into the picture.

 

On a note, Artificial Intelligence has already received a huge buzz in the earlier years and continues to be in trend because of its utility. Its other branches have also developed including deep learning.

 

AI signifies to computer built systems that imitate human intelligence and perform tasks similar to human beings such as recognition of images, speech or patterns, and decision making with more accuracy and speed.

 

Machine Learning, a subset of AI, where computers are being programmed explicitly to learn and perform, simply, by identifying patterns and insights from data.

 

The various subset of machine learning is neural networks, natural language processing (NLP), and deep learning. Some core applications of machine learning are for data analytics, data mining, and pattern recognition. 

 

5. Edge Computing

 

Least discussed but most latest technology, Edge Computing, that will acquire the main spot once the IoT has become a prevailing technology. Present, businesses are functioning in the cloud set up snugly, though things will change more.

 

Edge computing is a computing part that is associated with data processing, content aggregation, and its delivery that is located nearby to the root of information. 

 

Some of the listed benefits are latency and connectivity hurdles, bandwidth limitations, and tremendous functionality.

 

And, it can also be used to upgrade cloud computing and has an advantage, for remote regions where the connectivity is at a centralized place is lessened. 

 

6. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

 

Really new and immersive technologies count Virtual Reality(VR), Augmented Reality(VR)and, and Mixed Reality(MR), is a combination of both AR and VR, all have entrenched a huge market in the software development.

 

In, addition to that market demand for these latest technologies is expanding with accelerated velocity.

 

(Related blog: Top trends in Augmented Reality)

 

Virtual Reality involves the user in an environment whereas Augment Reality boosts their environment. Initially, VR is used for gaming but now can be used for training as well.

 

For example, VirtualShip, a simulated software which is applied to train U.S. Navy, Army, and Coast Guard ship, captains.

 

And, Pokemon Go is an example of AR, it has many benefits in eductaion sector.

 

Also, MR technology has identified as an efficient application in Walmart and the US army. Click the link to learn appliations of VR in military. However, both AR and VR have the capability in training,education, marketing, entertainment, etc. 

 

7. Progressive Web Applications (PWA)

 

Up to an extent the mobile is involved, native apps will provide excellent user experience and execution. However, building native apps demand a huge cost as being developed for both Android and iOS apps along with everlasting maintenance cost for separate codebases. 

 

Now focusing on “progressive web apps”, these are web apps that deliver a user experience somewhat related to native apps but more responsive, speedy, and secured, even can work offline.

 

One can download and install PWA on the home screen, it supports push notifications, linkable and updated, for example, Flipboard.

 

Not as up to standard as native app’s user experience, but PWAs can be considered while the development budget is most preferred.

 

Since the single codebase is needed to build and maintain, PWAs are less costly, the same could improve customer engagement.

 

Conclusion

 

From last 2-3 years, software development has set a mark on a large scale, with most trending technologies that established a place in our daily life as well.  These immersive technologies have revolutionized the entire industry also.

 

While concluding the blog, we can say that; 

 

1. Edge technology has brought many latest services that can be entertained in the cloud, 

2. Blockchain, that can’t be worthwhile without cloud computing, serves as Blockchain-as-a-service(BaaS) services and can be accessed from the providers such as Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM. 

3. More riveting technologies include Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR),  that has proved a significant impact, many other technologies as described in the blog.

 

All these technologies have a wide range of real-time applications, ranging from education to healthcare and entertainment. Software developers predict that several new software technologies will emerge in the coming years.

 

(Also check: Agile Software Development Cycle (SDLC))

 

However, it might be tough to maintain the latest trends in software development updated as the technology changes so rapidly.