In the digital age we live in, the software industry is continuously experiencing a creative upheaval. One of the most fascinating spaces at the centre of innovation is the ever-evolving field of software development. The key trends in this arena are presently dictating how businesses and developers will navigate the virtual waves of technology, through present and beyond.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are not brand new concepts, yet they continue to be one of the most dynamic trends in software development. Big tech companies and SMEs alike are investing heavily in these areas. As a projection, it’s expected that businesses will be investing up to $57 billion in AI and ML come 2021. Underneath this trend, we attach a focal point, the development of AI-driven development tools.
Coders spend a significant portion of their time debugging and correcting code. Here comes AI into its own as a powerful tool in augmenting human effort. Be it linting code, evaluating pull requests, or highlighting when code deviates too significantly from a project’s style guide; AI can automate these processes to high specifications. Furthermore, AI can spot potential vulnerabilities in the code, reducing the risk of a disastrous data breach. This helps businesses save both time and money.
However, the benefits of AI-driven development tools aren’t just at the code stage. They can also play a vast role during the critical planning phase. Tools that can analyze and evaluate project scopes against a global backlog of data can predict project timelines far more accurately, aiding project managers and stakeholders in decision-making.
Meanwhile, the rise of low-code/ no-code development platforms is breaking down the barriers of who can create software applications. These platforms provide visual interfaces that allow users to develop apps through simple drag-and-drop actions. With such platforms, there’s a drastic reduction in the amount of traditional hand-coding, which makes application development faster and more accessible to people without formal coding knowledge. As a result, businesses are leveraging this trend to speed up digital transformation processes and foster innovation within non-technical teams.
In addition, the distributed cloud is becoming increasingly popular as it offers businesses the benefits of cloud computing with less latency. In simple terms, the distributed cloud enables datacentres to be located anywhere, close to the source of data, resulting in faster, more reliable digital services.
Constantly evolving, software development is not a one-size-fits-all industry. Developers must learn to adapt their techniques and utilize the most recent tools and trends to their advantage. The future, then, sees a brighter outlook for AI-driven development tools, low-code/no-code platforms and distributed clouds. While it is important to note that these trends present their own set of challenges, they also offer unprecedented possibilities.
