Heading into 2024, the software development landscape continues to evolve exponentially, driven by technological innovation and changing market demands. For businesses and developers, keeping up with these trends is not only beneficial, but critical to staying competitive and successful. In this article, we've taken a look at the key software development trends that are expected to have a significant impact in 2024.
The trend focuses on three areas: general software development, programming languages, and application development.
2024 will see a noticeable change in the IT industry's approach to general software development, including further integration of AI and machine learning technologies, the use of blockchain, and multi-runtime microservices.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are no longer buzzwords; They have become buzzwords. They are an integral part of modern software development, setting new standards for functionality and performance. From algorithms to automated reviews, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are improving efficiency and capabilities across industries.
One of the most notable breakthroughs in 2023 is the introduction of advanced ChatGPT features, which include features for ** and text generation, as well as a significant development in the creation of AI drives based on text prompts.
Developers are increasingly using AI-powered coding tools. Not only does this speed up the coding process, but it also helps to reduce human error. For example, GitHub's Copilot uses artificial intelligence to suggest snippets and entire features to developers in real time. Similarly, AI-powered analytics tools like Tableau enable businesses to derive insights from data more effectively than ever before.
There is no doubt that 2024 will be a year of further development and integration of these technologies, especially when it comes to automating text, coding, and visualization tasks.
Blockchain is finding its foothold beyond the cryptocurrency space. The proliferation of mobile apps that prioritize enhanced security and superior quality has led to an increase in the adoption of blockchain-based applications.
The basic characteristics of a blockchain-oriented software (BOS) system include:
Data replication: Data is replicated and stored across thousands of systems, significantly enhancing data security.
Require verification: Before any transaction is made, the BOS system checks the transaction requirements to ensure that they meet the criteria for successful verification.
Sequential transaction logging: BOS records transactions in a chronological journal consisting of interconnected blocks set by a consensus algorithm.
Public-key encryption: The transaction process in BOS is based on public-key cryptography to ensure that transactions are secure and verifiable.
However, blockchain also has its limitations: scalability and energy consumption remain barriers to its wider adoption.
A microservices architecture is an approach to developing a software application as a set of small, independently deployable, modular services, each running in its own process and communicating with a lightweight mechanism, typically an HTTP-based API.
By 2024, the microservices architecture is expected to continue to grow, evolving into multi-runtime microservices. This is also known as the mach schema, a term created by the initials of microservices-based, api-first, cloud-native, and headless. The mach architecture allows different services to be written in different programming languages, use different data storage technologies, and be deployed on different runtime environments. The diversity of the runtime caters to the specific needs and characteristics of each service, providing a more customized and optimized approach to each component of the application.
The main advantage of a multi-runtime microservices architecture is the ability to leverage the strengths of a variety of technologies and platforms. For example, a service that requires high computing power can be deployed on a runtime environment specifically designed for such tasks, while another service that handles real-time data processing can take advantage of different environments optimized for speed and low latency. This approach not only ensures that each service is running in its ideal environment, but it also simplifies updates and maintenance, as changes to one service do not necessarily affect others.
In addition, multi-runtime microservices support a more agile development process, allowing teams to work on different services at the same time without dependencies.
Through 2024, programming will continue to be dominated by Python, and the adoption of Rust will increase significantly.
Python remains the dominant programming language, favored for its simplicity, versatility, and robust library support. It is widely used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing.
Python is ranked as the most popular programming language with the highest growth rate (19%), according to the PYPL index, which measures how often language tutorials are searched on Google.
The 2023 Stack Overflow survey identified Python as the language developers most want to learn. For the first time since 2012, Python surpassed J**A and is no longer just one of the top two web application development languages. It also won Tiobe Programming Language of the Year three times in five years, a recognition of the language with the largest increase in annual ratings. The Python library ranges Aurora and can be easily integrated into and scaled to larger applications, offering great possibilities for web and desktop application development, including system operations.
The adoption of the Rust programming language is increasing, especially in areas where performance and security are key priorities. Its unique features make it ideal for system-level programming. It's worth noting that Rust is increasingly being used in embedded systems, and its ability to prevent memory errors and ensure thread safety is critical. In addition, its deployment in cloud infrastructure highlights its reliability and efficiency in handling high-performance computing tasks.
In the application space, important trends include the widespread adoption of low- and no-platform platforms, advancements in cross-platform development, and increased use of progressive web applications.
The rise of low-end and no-deck platforms is democratizing software development. These tools enable individuals to build and deploy applications with minimal coding knowledge, significantly reducing development time.
Platforms like Microsoft Power Apps and Bubble enable non-technical users to build applications without having to write. These tools are especially popular when developing business applications, allowing companies to quickly prototype and deploy solutions without a large development team. However, such platforms are not capable of solving complex custom development tasks.
PWAs (Progressive Web Applications) are faster and less resource-intensive than native applications. They work offline and refresh automatically on every visit. From a development perspective, they are cost-effective and efficient, requiring fewer versions for different devices, resulting in 3 to 4 times lower costs than native apps. Major companies such as Forbes, Starbucks, and Pinterest have adopted this technology.
A key factor in the growing popularity of PWAs among developers is their impartiality. This eliminates the need to create separate apps for mobile, tablet, and desktop. Simplicity of development isn't the only benefit of PWA's cost savings. They are also faster to create and less expensive to maintain.
Since the advent of mobile apps, developers have been faced with the choice of whether to create two native apps for Android and iOS or a single cross-browser app. Native apps dominate the market due to their superior performance.
The big development in 2023 that will continue to gain momentum in 2024 is the introduction of new tools that are capable of delivering user-friendly cross-platform solutions while reducing development costs.
Cross-platform apps have a variety of advantages:
Wider coverage: Available on multiple operating systems (iOS, Android) to increase potential user base.
Faster development time: A single development project instead of multiple native applications can speed up the process.
Consistent user experience: Cross-platform apps have a unified look and feel across platforms, enhancing user familiarity.
Shared libraries: Reusability and development efficiency.
Easier deployment: Updates roll out simultaneously across all platforms.
Resource efficiency: Requires fewer resources and a smaller development team.
Cost-effectiveness: Since a single library is used for multiple platforms, development and maintenance costs are reduced.
Popular cross-platform frameworks include: React Native, Flutter, Ionic and more.
The trends discussed in this article will define the world of software development in 2024 and beyond. Serokell believes that responsible and ethical innovation must remain the cornerstone of all software development efforts in Argentia as we respond to these changes.