11 Most Important Software Development Trends for 2021

Software development is constantly evolving and will continue to do so in the coming months. The new software development trends are driven mainly by technological and societal needs. For example, the need for a secure way to execute contracts is pushing blockchain to the next level, while new uses for artificial intelligence (AI) are forcing the industry to become more concerned about “ethical AI.”
Many companies are embracing digital acceleration and software development advancements. Truthfully, no one can tell the future for sure but considering the current landscape of software development the following predictions, based on current software development trends are what we are looking forward to in 2021.

1. Emphasis on Cloud

The year 2020 demonstrated the need for cloud services to scale either up or down when needed. While some industries thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, others (such as tourism) saw a sharp drop in demand. Companies with cloud-based platforms avoided having to pay for data centre services they didn’t need. So, many more companies are likely to move their operations to the cloud in 2021.

2. Growing Use of Blockchain

While blockchain technology is one of the well-known software development trends for its role in cryptocurrency, it has other uses as well, all of which help prevent fraud in sensitive transactions. Some functions are likely to increase in 2021, including use within smart contract platforms.

3. Evolution of AI

AI is expected to gain traction in 2021 as well, given that companies with AI-driven capabilities are likely to succeed. The area of Natural Language Processing (NLP), which enables computers to write text and software programs, is of particular interest and a current software development trend. And awareness of ethical AI — that is, ensuring software engineers program machines to “do the right thing” — is likely to rise as computers start to take over additional human functions.

4. A Surge in Low-Code/No-Code Development

The need for software engineers has outpaced their availability, making low-code/no-code (LCNC) programming a must for businesses that require the ability to move forward easily with new initiatives. This type of software enables those with no development training to create databases and other applications to support agile operations. This trend is becoming more commonplace and will grow in 2021 and beyond.

5. The Ascendancy of Python and JavaScript

Programming languages that are easy to learn and use are becoming more popular, which is why Python and JavaScript are likely to remain in demand in 2021. Python is used extensively in data sciences and in a number of other fields as well, while JavaScript remains the most popular language generally, especially for development beginners.

6. Progress in Use of Modern Languages

Modern development languages are also poised to meet the demands of today’s software engineers. Those like Rust, Go, and Kotlin are becoming more popular because of features like type inference, null safety, expressiveness, and conciseness. In particular, some experts predict that Rust will make a breakthrough in 2021. Microsoft and Amazon both recently announced significant investments in Rust.

7. Uptick in Native App Development

Given the proliferation of mobile devices, mobile apps are becoming increasingly important in the software development trends. To create apps with the greatest flexibility and best performance, software development teams working for companies that can afford to do so are opting to use native app development, meaning creating two or more separate versions of an app to work with each major mobile operating system (OS).

8. Rise in Progressive Web Apps

Progressive web apps (PWAs) reflect the benefits of websites and mobile apps to give users a streamlined experience without companies having to build separate mobile apps for specific OS. They’re built using languages like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML and can operate on any platform that uses a web browser. Because PWAs can enable cost savings while improving customer engagement, their use is probably going to extend in 2021.

9. Expansion of the IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly expanding to include billions of connected devices in many industries, such as healthcare, agriculture, shipping, and manufacturing, contributing to many modern conveniences. Each of these devices requires software to operate it, creating a huge need for software engineers to write it and contribute the security needed to prevent each one from becoming an entry point for hackers within a given system.

10. Escalation of Edge Computing

Another software development trend is edge computing, which supports the IoT, takes place closer to where data is created. For example, utilities can use edge devices to gather information about equipment and process it nearby, only sending relevant information back to the home office. Software engineers are required to ensure such devices are taking advantage of the computing speed and processing efficiency that they’re capable of, while also being mindful of special security considerations.

11. Increased Use of CI and CD

Another software development trend we can see is continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD),which are part of the software development process, with CI ensuring code changes from numerous engineers are integrated into a software project. CD promotes changes in configuration and features, as well as bug fixes, quickly and sustainably. Both processes enable development companies to complete projects more quickly, saving money and increasing efficiency, all of which are key in 2021.

Software Development Trends 2021 Conclusion

Due to all these new developments, we can see many upcoming innovations in 2021, new ways to use technology and achieve remarkable results. This will be especially true as more companies achieve digital acceleration and start to think differently about how to use technology to meet their financial, societal, and customer care goals.

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