2024 Software Development Trends To Watch Out For

Software development is a major player in the dynamic and ever-changing technological landscape. In 2024, driven by emerging technologies and changing market requirements, software development trends, such as cyber security, low or no-code development and AI integrations are taking a grip on the sector.

Demand for software development is predicted to surge by 70% this year, as new technologies and AI, become more popular. With the need for software developers high, being aware of the latest software development trends will help businesses retain and attract great developers and remain successful.

AI

One of the big technological breakthroughs in 2023 was Generative AI. Its far-reaching applications have spread far and wide. This includes the introduction of AI in software development.

Software developers are now starting to use AI to help automate and simplify tasks as well as assist in debugging and testing. AI is marketed as a fantastic aid to developers, increasing productivity and speeding up development sprints.

Despite this, 76% of development professionals say they’re concerned about using AI. Some have concerns about the accuracy of AI chatbots and copyright infringements. Additionally, even though the AI is increasingly being adopted to code it doesn’t negate the need for experienced developers who can read and check the code is full proof.

AI usage will likely increase this year, but it may not be the holy grail for developers.

Low or no-code development

Low or no-code development methods are an alternative that helps give businesses the freedom to build applications at speed and update websites without having to write code. It is considered a “drag and drop” type procedure, where there are set processes that allow those without software development expertise to create web pages and make standard changes without writing a line of code. While low or no-code development is not a new software development trend, as businesses look for a more cost-effective solution to hiring more developers, it will be a more attractive option this year.

According to Gartner, low or no-code development platforms are expected to account for over 65% of development this year. While this does seem like a high number, it’s not surprising. With the acute development skills gap continuing, the cost of hiring software developers before they produce a return on the investment made, and the tightened budget many businesses face, it is understandable that businesses will rely on low or no-code websites to allow greater accessibility to their software and assign platform updates to those without software development expertise.

However, this doesn’t mean there will be a reduction in software developers needed in businesses as low or no-code platforms lack customisation and are often just used for internal projects.

Soft skills

Often when we think of software development spaces, we think of professionals with earphones in, heads down, delivering great code without contributions and collaboration with other departments. However, as many companies move to more agile working practices and towards DevOps methodologies, many developers will be working closely with non-tech professionals.

Having great soft skills, such as teamwork and communication, is very important to many businesses. A recent survey found that 97% of employers believe that soft skills are crucial to their organisation’s success. While many developers might not consider including their soft skills on their CV, it might help to both develop and advertise these soft skills by including information where they have teamed up or partnered with non tech stakeholders within their former workplaces.

Programming languages

In 2024, several programming languages are set to dominate the tech landscape. Choosing the right language for a project is critical for its success, as programming languages all have advantages and disadvantages and will suit projects for different reasons.

Some of the software development trends include the popularity of the following languages:

• JavaScript – in 2023, this remained Stack Overflow’s most popular language for the 11^th year in a row. Its popularity is likely to continue to dominate in 2024. It is estimated over 98% of all websites use JavaScript in some way in their front-end web development with an increasing popularity of many businesses using JavaScript for full stack development in their web based applications.
• Elixir – introduced in 2011, this language is often used to develop the back-end of high-traffic websites. It is used by a number of large companies, such as Toyota and Pinterest.
• Kotlin – popular for Android app development, Google announced Kotlin was an official language for their Android development in 2017.
• Dart – the language behind Google’s framework Flutter. Dart is becoming increasingly used as an alternative to JavaScript.

It is crucial for businesses to use the right programming language and regularly update their programmes to reduce the risk of systems becoming obsolete due to legacy languages.

Cyber security

Cyber security is a major concern for organisations worldwide. Businesses must prioritise the security of their software applications as well as the infrastructure they run on to reduce opportunities for data breaches and cyber-attacks. There are certain methods developers can use in their applications, such as secure application design and secure coding practices, as well as maintaining software to keep it as secure as possible.

Ransomware is predicted to rise this year as Generative AI will allow attackers to find more innovative ways to trick employees into giving access to company systems. They will likely target emails, critical applications, and document management systems. In 2024, developers need to work with cyber security specialists and form knowledge of cyber security best practices to protect networks and systems from attackers.

Sustainability

Sustainability has been at the forefront of many business leaders’ minds in recent years. The environment is a hot topic, with 77% of consumers influenced by a company’s green policies when deciding who to buy from. As organisations try to improve their climate emissions, one area many are falling short in is technology – which uses up an estimated 7% of global electricity usage.

Sustainability has entered software development trends because software is run on hardware, which are material goods that often need to be mined, manufactured, and replaced. Additionally, the software uses and support data has to be held in power-intensive data centres. Data centres alone are projected to consume as much as 4% of the global energy by 2030.

Creating sustainable software means minimising the impact that applications and the infrastructure that supports them have on the planet. There are a multitude of ways companies can promote more sustainable development practices. One example of this is greencoding, its practices include, reducing memory usage, network traffic, and using efficient algorithms.

Overall, in 2024, software development will see greater integration for business and development professionals. Whether through increasing cyber security or usage of low-code websites, a developer’s soft skills will be an essential part of working with individuals without software expertise. Additionally, software development will need to align with wider business directives, such as through sustainability to limit their environmental impacts.

If you need to redirect your IT strategy to align with these software development trends and find new professionals, please give us a call.