Over the past couple of years, software development has experienced some significant changes and this trend will continue to grow in the future. In 2022, software development trends that will shape the future include both technological and organizational/business changes. Let’s explore some of these software development trends and how they can influence your business’s software development process in the coming years.
Agile
Hiring software developers is a tricky business. On one hand, you need to attract highly skilled individuals who can solve your problems. But on another, you also need to hire staff that has buy-in for your approach and goals; otherwise, they may spend more time working on their own priorities than those of your business. Thankfully, there are several software development trends in 2022 that could be an attractive option. These include agile—software development strategies that get small teams up and running quickly by producing shorter iterations of projects with a quick feedback loop.
DevOps
It’s almost impossible to make predictions about anything when it comes to technology, but we do know that there will be a significant increase in automation, which is yet another area where DevOps plays a key role. Software development trends are an extension of trends in general—and no trend has more power than DevOps. The movement to automate everything software-related will accelerate as cloud-based technologies and other advancements become more prevalent.
Mobile Apps
Mobile applications are increasingly becoming a staple in every business’s IT structure. It is important for a company to have mobile apps which provide them with opportunities for constant interaction and engagement with their consumers, as well as data collection about their target audience. Failing to embrace mobile apps in a time where technology is changing rapidly could mean your startup falling behind its competitors. Check out our guide on how to hire software developers.
Artificial Intelligence
It’s no secret that artificial intelligence will change our lives in big ways over the next decade. It will soon be commonplace for us to talk to robots and computers, as well as watch movies and TV shows with computer-generated characters that come to life. All of these advances are due, in part, to advancements in artificial intelligence software development.
Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality
2016 was a big year for virtual reality. The release of affordable headsets like Samsung’s Gear VR and Google’s Daydream View helped make VR more accessible to consumers. Next year, we can expect even more advancements in virtual and augmented reality technologies, which will undoubtedly have huge implications for software development trends in 2017. While it’s still too early to know exactly what those trends will be, there are some clues about what might come next. For example, you can already develop apps for Apple's iOS 11 that utilize augmented reality and appear inside of its new file format, .wefa. It’s also likely that smartphones will continue getting better at providing AR experiences over time—and that companies will start building more AR apps.
Blockchain Technology
No, we’re not talking about those cryptocurrencies that seem to be all over cable news these days. Instead, we’re talking about an emerging technology called blockchain. Here's a simple explanation of how it works: Imagine a spreadsheet shared by thousands of people. No one person can change it, but everyone can read it and make notes on their copy as they see fit. The blockchain is like that; only instead of spreadsheets, each person has their own file—but they can all interact with each other in real time. Developers are exploring ways to use blockchain technology in business applications ranging from supply chain management to smart contracts.
Augmented Human Interfaces
As virtual reality and augmented reality platforms like Oculus Rift, Google Glass, and Microsoft HoloLens get closer to commercial release, developers will begin working on interfaces between these devices and human bodies. The result could be augmented-reality apps that allow us to interact with computers and our environment in an even more natural way than before. Imagine augmenting your vision with a heads-up display for email notifications, or automatically filtering out negative emotions from social media sites when you’re trying to focus.
Robotics Process Automation (RPA)
Automating mundane, repetitive tasks is a cornerstone of future software development. These automated processes are becoming more and more advanced, with many businesses turning to robotics process automation (RPA) to run their operations. With RPA, you can expect software programs to handle rote tasks—such as data entry or even scheduling meetings. By investing in RPA now, you’ll be ready for tomorrow’s innovation. As your business grows and technology advances further, you’ll likely find yourself using RPA more and more effectively.
Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cloud Computing and Machine Learning
Before we move forward, let’s understand what these terms mean. IoT (Internet of Things) is a term that encompasses all connected devices that are able to collect and share data from a central location. IoT devices are becoming more popular in day-to-day life as they make our lives easier. Big Data refers to datasets so large and complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate to deal with them.
Conclusion
While software development trends will continue to evolve and change over time, we can reasonably predict some aspects of what’s to come in 2022. For one thing, tech companies will continue to hire software developers in high numbers—and demand for these employees is likely to remain strong. If you're looking for a great career opportunity, consider learning more about software development! By devoting yourself to computer science and programming, you'll be well on your way toward a career that's constantly changing and growing. The future is closer than it appears; technology just keeps getting better. Consider exploring your options with Software Developers Network.
