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Technology is constantly evolving, and that includes trends in software development. Developers must stay on top of these trends or risk losing out to their competition.
The events of the past couple of years have changed how and where we work. The software we use to conduct business has changed and will continue to change. The following are just some of the trends to look for in 2022.
Software Languages You Need to Know
While JavaScript remains dominant, with 65% of developers using it regularly, other languages grow in popularity. Programming languages, frameworks, and libraries dominate software and app development trends.
The following five programming languages are ones to watch in 2022.
- React ranks 2nd in popularity. It’s an open-source framework for the development of front-end interfaces.
- Go was launched by Google as an open-source language. It currently ranks at number 5 in popularity.
- Kotlin is the authorized programming language for Android. Without a doubt, Android developers need to be familiar with Kotlin.
- Swift replaced Objective-C for iOS and macOS apps. Apple developers must understand Swift.
- Microsoft’s Typescript is now the favorite language for building complex applications, pushing aside JavaScript.
If you are not adept at these languages, you can always outsource or hire freelancers as needed. Development firms with limited resources often outsource specific work; it not only helps to get complex jobs completed quickly, but it’s also cost-effective.
Occasional outsourcing allows small firms to tap into talent when and where they need it. Digital Authority Partners’ Pranjal Bora says one of the benefits of hiring outside help is that they’re usually up-to-date on the latest trends in software development
Anywhere Operation Business Model
Worldwide, people are hooked on mobile apps, which has changed the way brick-and-mortar businesses operate. Every big box and grocery store chain has a shopping app that lets you place items in your virtual cart, and thanks to Covid-19, you can now have them delivered to your car.
The ability to do business through apps is known as the anywhere operation model. It allows companies to conduct business anywhere their customers happen to be.
The anywhere operation model is not just about shopping; it’s also about employees. The trend towards remote work is also a part of the anywhere operations business model. People from all over the globe can work together in the cloud.
Today, with the help of technology, people can shop, work, and be entertained without ever leaving their homes. Developers should keep this trend in mind when developing a new app for their businesses.
Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity is in High Demand
Globally, ransomware and malware attacks will have cost businesses $6 trillion in 2021. As you can imagine, cutting-edge cybersecurity is in high demand. Today, standard firewalls and anti-malware applications just don’t cut it.
Developers need to work a cybersecurity mesh into their applications moving forward, and this involves placing security measures at every distributed network access module. They must do security testing to ensure that they did not introduce unintended vulnerabilities during the development process. Robust cybersecurity apps will be critical for years to come, making it a profitable field for developers to explore in 2022 and beyond.
Distributed Cloud Technology
Distributed cloud technology is one of the biggest things influencing app development. Most companies store up to 85% of their workload in the cloud. Video streaming services also use distributed cloud technology.
The benefit of the distributed cloud is that apps will keep working when there’s a problem with a server. Using a distributed cloud prevents service disruptions, preventing data loss, and it runs services with different cloud providers located in other regions. Developers should think about hosting the backend services of their apps on a distributed cloud to reduce or eliminate disruptions and data loss.
Tapping Into the Internet of Behavior (IoB)
The internet of behavior is an expansion of the internet of things. The IoB gathers data from various devices, tracking and analyzing user behavior. Using information gleaned from the IoB allows developers to build a high degree of personalization into their apps.
Companies like Facebook use IoB in their target ad products. Likewise, YouTube uses it in its personalization of user video feeds. While not in everyday use, it presents a prime opportunity to develop highly personalized apps and is something for independent app developers to explore.
Continuous Delivery
Keeping a deployable version of code on hand is no longer an option. Today, developers must continually update codes due to the ever-changing requirements from Google and Apple. Most developers need to release an update monthly.
With continuous delivery, developers prepare automatic code changes for release, and when correctly done, developers always have an updated, deployable build ready to go.
Adopting continuous delivery as a practice allows developers to automate testing and verify updates before releasing them to users. With cloud technology, it’s cost-effective and easy to automate testing. If you haven’t yet adopted continuous delivery, you need to do so now.
Low-Code Development is a Big Trend
Less is always more, and low-code development is a way to build apps with minimal coding. Drag and drop tools simplify the build process with flowcharts and a visual interface. It’s a way to create functional apps with little or no coding. Updates and modifications are also quickly accomplished with a low-code interface.
Using low-coding tools allows small tech firms to create applications without outsourcing talent and makes low-coding tools a cost-effective option for developers. Low-code development platforms are increasingly popular, and many expect them to dominate the market.
Progressive Web Apps Rising
Progressive web apps are on the rise, offering the capabilities of both web and native mobile apps. Progressive web applications use mobile browser capabilities allowing for a native app experience.
The best thing about progressive web apps is a higher conversion rate than similar native apps. That’s because generally, progressives are cheaper to build and more responsive for users. It’s a win-win for both end-users and developers.
Final Thoughts
Technology and software development are continually evolving. By adopting the latest software trends, developers can ensure solid, reliable, and secure apps that people will love, the key to short-term and long-term success as an app developer.