Artificial intelligence and machine learning integration
AI and machine learning are not buzzwords anymore; they’re integral components of modern software development, setting new standards for functionality and performance.
Blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies
Blockchain is finding its footing beyond cryptocurrencies. The surge in mobile applications prioritizing enhanced security and superior quality has led to an increased adoption of blockchain-based apps.
Multi-runtime microservices
Microservices architecture is a method of developing software applications as a suite of small, independently deployable, and modular services, each running in its own process and communicating with lightweight mechanisms, often an HTTP-based API.
In 2024, microservices architecture is expected to continue its growth, gradually evolving into multi-runtime microservices.
Cybersecurity at the forefront of 2024
The increasing sophistication of cyber threats has made security a critical aspect of software development for 2024. Integrating advanced security protocols and utilizing AI for threat detection are becoming standard practices. The focus is shifting from reactive to proactive security measures:
Further adoption of AR and VR
With AR and VR technologies becoming more accessible, demand for such applications is skyrocketing across multiple industries:
Education: VR transforms education, enabling interactive history, geography, and science lessons, and offering risk-free medical training through virtual surgery simulations. For example, through Google Expeditions and other educational AR apps, students can explore historical sites, dissect virtual animals, or examine 3D models of complex subjects.
Healthcare: For example AccuVein, an AR app, helps locate veins for easier needle insertion, and surgical planning tools that overlay 3D models onto a patient’s anatomy for precise surgical guidance.
Business: VR is increasingly used in business for prototyping, staff training, and customer service. In the real estate industry, companies utilize VR/AR to provide virtual property tours and AR apps to visualize how furniture or renovations might look in a space before making a purchase
Sustainable software development
Green computing and sustainable software practices are gaining attention as environmental concerns grow. Developers are increasingly focusing on eco-friendly solutions, supporting initiatives like Green Software Foundation and Sustainable Web Manifesto which promote energy-efficient coding practices. This entails developing code that reduces server processing, loading times, and data requests.
Computing
In the coming year, we anticipate advancements in key computing areas: Function-as-a-Service, cloud and edge computing, and most notably, quantum computing.
Serverless computing (FaaS)
Serverless computing, or Function as a Service (FaaS), is on the rise, with AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions leading the field. FaaS allows developers to build and run applications and services without managing infrastructure, leading to more efficient and cost-effective development processes.
Expansion of cloud computing
In 2024, cloud-native technologies are set to undergo substantial evolution. They are anticipated to become more user-friendly, offering enhanced performance, cost savings, and greater flexibility in their IT objectives.
Surge of edge computing
Edge computing is an IT architecture that processes client data at the network’s edge, as close to the source of the data as possible. By bringing computation closer to data sources, edge computing reduces latency and enhances real-time data processing capabilities. This trend is key to applications requiring immediate data analysis, such as autonomous vehicles (Tesla’s self-driving cars, for example, rely on edge computing) and smart city technologies. In healthcare, edge computing ensures data privacy and enables AI-based real-time monitoring and analysis of the patient’s condition.
Quantum computing: a new frontier
Quantum computing is an advanced form of computing that uses quantum bits, or qubits, instead of classical bits. Leveraging quantum mechanics principles such as superposition and entanglement, it allows for processing data at speeds unattainable by traditional computers.
Programming languages
In 2024, programming will continue to be dominated by Python, with a notable increase in the adoption of Rust.
Python dominance
Python remains a dominant programming language, favored for its simplicity, versatility, and robust library support.
Growth in Rust adoption
The adoption of the Rust programming language is on the rise, especially in fields where performance and safety are key priorities. Its unique features make it ideal for system-level programming.
Rise of of low-code and no-code platforms
The democratization of software development is being propelled by the rise of low-code and no-code platforms. These tools empower individuals with minimal coding knowledge to build and deploy applications, significantly reducing development time
Cross-platform app development
Since the emergence of mobile applications, developers have faced the choice between creating two native applications for Android and iOS or a single cross-browser app. Native apps, due to their superior performance, have predominantly dominated the market.
