Top software development trends to look forward to in 2024
The IT world is constantly evolving and progressing, and there’s no sign of the tech world’s advancements slowing down. As we move on to the new year, we’ll see significant transformations in the technology landscape. Whether it’s the evolution of artificial intelligence or the use of blockchain technology, you can expect some drastic changes in the tech world’s near future.
As an IT professional, it’s imperative that you stay informed about the advancements and prepare yourself for the upcoming changes. If you work in the tech industry, you must know there is no stop to learning. And with the growing technology, we learn new things every day.
That’s why we’re here to prepare you for the next chapter — 2024 — so that you can learn more about incoming technological changes and learn simultaneously. Let’s talk about some top software development trends to look forward to in 2024.
1. AI development & machine learning
Artificial intelligence has made some drastic changes from 2022 to 2023. And there are more to come in 2024 as well. AI is no longer just chatbots or ChatGPT. Many companies are involving AI in their routine tasks. AI will be used to improve user experience (chatbots), create data-driven strategies and decisions, forecast trends, and improve software applications as well.
According to Statista, the AI market is expected to grow to over $298 billion globally in 2024. Due to this, we will see a sharp rise in demand for AI developers. Developers will be focused more on machine learning to create smart applications and software.
2. Progressive web applications
Progressive web applications (PWAs) represent a transformative approach to the digital and tech landscape, merging the strengths of mobile and web technologies to deliver a superior user experience. With the great advantages of PWAs, we’ll see them put to significant use in the coming year (and the demand for PWA developers will increase too). One of the critical advantages of PWAs is their contribution to search engine optimization (SEO).
By inherently being mobile-friendly and accessible (and ensuring a lower bounce rate), PWAs align closely with the factors that Google considers for ranking websites. They’re more than just a bridge between mobile and web applications, because they streamline the development process too.
3. Smart system design
System design is going to be around for a while. And we can also see smartsystem design taking over in 2024. Developers will be more focused on designing sustainable applications that require fewer resources. The world is focusing more on energy conservation and using resources more efficiently. In line with these changes, we’ll see an increased focus on sustainability and ethics in software development as well.
We will see companies increasingly prioritize cybersecurity and encryption alongside an emphasis on the ethical responsibilities of developers. This includes prioritizing user privacy and addressing AI algorithm biases, emphasizing the need to balance technical skills and ethical understandings in software development.
As you progress in your career as a developer, you'll be increasingly expected to think about software architecture. Can you design systems and make trade-offs at scale? Developing that skill is a great way to set yourself apart from the pack. In this Skill Path, you'll cover everything you need to know to design scalable systems for enterprise-level software.
4. Emerging blockchain applications
Blockchain has been the talk of the show in 2023 and will continue expanding its horizons in 2024. We’ve seen some great blockchain advancements in the finance industry, but in 2024, blockchain will be used to create decentralized applications.
Decentralized applications (DApps) use blockchain technology to ensure everything is transparent, safe, and unchangeable. They’re becoming more popular in many industries because of their secure and reliable features. Developers will continue to explore blockchain technology and integrate it into different industries, including supply chain, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and the medical industry.
If you’re interested in learning and making a career in blockchain technology, now is the time to master blockchain development.
5. Cloud computing
In 2024, cloud computing is expected to experience significant growth, driven by businesses increasingly migrating to cloud technology. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Storage will dominate the cloud industry. As businesses shift towards remote work and outsourcing, cloud computing is becoming more handy when connecting employees worldwide.
Simultaneously, software developers are pivoting towards serverless computing, a paradigm where the cloud automatically handles infrastructure management. This shift allows developers to concentrate more on system design and code development, optimizing efficiency and innovation in the tech landscape. With the rise of cloud computing, if you haven’t had the chance to learn more about it, you should start with Cloud Computing Fundamentals today!
We are surrounded by the technology that we utilize daily. Most of it makes use of cloud computing. Cloud is not a nuance anymore; it’s the norm. As software practitioners, it’s imperative to have a good understanding of cloud computing concepts. In this course, you will learn the fundamental concepts of cloud computing. Next, you’ll familiarize yourself with cloud’s standard services. You’ll also learn about various service models available in cloud computing. You’ll learn the concepts of clustering and its relevance in cloud computing. You’ll explore storage and deployment concepts in the cloud. You’ll wrap up with a hands-on experience of how to pick a cloud platform and start your cloud journey. In the end, you’ll have plenty of resources to continue your cloud learning journey. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the basic concepts of cloud computing and the services and products that cloud platforms offer.
6. The continuous rise of IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) is another rising technology in 2024. We’re currently seeing applications of IoT in different sectors, but we’ll be looking forward to seeing more common applications for consumers in 2024. For example, the Internet of Things (IoT) will be widely used in home automation, farming, healthcare, and smart cities.
Businesses will also integrate IoT into their routine tasks for improved security, better decision-making, and data analysis.
How can I stay informed about software development trends?
Whether or not you’re working in the tech industry, staying updated on the latest software development trends in 2024 is important. As software developers, you must upgrade your skills and keep up with the new technologies.
If you’re ready to upgrade your development skills before 2024, Educative offers a wide range of development courses and projects to help you prepare for the upcoming year. From beginner HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to advanced system design, Educative offers a lot for software developers. Explore today and start learning!
