As we enter the year 2024, the realm of software development undergoes rapid evolution, propelled by technological advancements and shifting market demands. For both businesses and developers, staying updated on these trends isn’t merely advantageous; it’s imperative for maintaining competitiveness and achieving success. This article delves into the pivotal software development trends anticipated to wield substantial influence in the year 2024.

Principles Guiding Software Engineering in 2024

The landscape of software development in 2024 is marked by fundamental principles that shape the IT industry. Key trends include the increased integration of AI and ML technologies, the adoption of blockchain, and the implementation of multi-runtime microservices. The pervasive use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) continues to exert a significant influence, while a heightened focus on cybersecurity and sustainable software development is becoming more pronounced among programmers. Each of these trends is examined in detail in this section.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and machine learning have transcended buzzwords to become integral elements of contemporary software development, establishing new benchmarks for functionality and performance. From predictive algorithms to automated code reviews, AI/ML technologies enhance efficiency and capabilities across diverse industries.

A notable development in 2023 was the introduction of advanced features in ChatGPT, encompassing code and text generation, along with substantial advancements in AI-driven image creation based on text prompts.

To gain hands-on experience in text generation, refer to this video tutorial:

Developers are increasingly leveraging AI-powered coding tools, accelerating the coding process and reducing human errors. GitHub’s Copilot, for example, employs AI to suggest real-time code snippets and entire functions to developers. Similarly, AI-driven analytics tools like Tableau empower businesses to glean insights from their data more efficiently.

Undoubtedly, 2024 will witness further advancements and integration of these technologies, particularly in automating text, coding, and visualization tasks.

Blockchain’s Evolution Beyond Cryptocurrencies in Software Development

Blockchain is expanding its scope beyond cryptocurrencies, particularly within the realm of mobile applications prioritizing heightened security and superior quality. This shift is marked by an increased adoption of blockchain-based apps.

Key Characteristics of Blockchain-Oriented Software (BOS) Systems Include:

1. Data Replication: Information is duplicated and distributed across thousands of systems, significantly enhancing data security.
2. Requirement Verification: BOS systems rigorously check transaction requirements before execution, ensuring adherence to validation criteria.
3. Sequential Transaction Logging: Transactions are systematically recorded in a chronologically arranged log using interconnected blocks established through a consensus algorithm.
4. Public-Key Cryptography: BOS relies on public-key cryptography for secure and verifiable transaction processes.

However, blockchain encounters limitations, notably in terms of scalability and energy consumption, which pose challenges to its broader adoption.

Multi-runtime microservices

In the realm of software development, microservices architecture stands out as a methodology for constructing applications. It involves creating a suite of small, independently deployable, and modular services, each functioning in its own process and communicating through lightweight mechanisms, often utilizing an HTTP-based API.

Looking ahead to 2024, the growth of microservices architecture is anticipated to persist, evolving into the realm of multi-runtime microservices, also recognized as MACH architecture. Coined from Microservices-based, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless, MACH architecture introduces the flexibility for services to be crafted in various programming languages, employ diverse data storage technologies, and operate on different runtime environments. This diversity addresses the unique needs of each service, fostering a more tailored and optimized approach for every facet of the application.

The primary advantage of embracing a multi-runtime microservices architecture lies in its capacity to harness the strengths of varied technologies and platforms. For example, a service demanding high computational power can be deployed in an environment tailored for such tasks, while another service handling real-time data processing may leverage an environment optimized for speed and low latency. This not only ensures optimal operation for each service but also streamlines updates and maintenance, minimizing the impact on other services during modifications.

Furthermore, the adoption of multi-runtime microservices fosters a more agile development process, enabling teams to concurrently work on different services without dependencies, enhancing efficiency and flexibility in the software development lifecycle.

Cybersecurity at the forefront of 2024

As we approach 2024, the landscape of software development is witnessing a surge in the importance of security, driven by the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. The integration of advanced security protocols and the incorporation of AI for threat detection are emerging as standard practices. The industry is transitioning from reactive to proactive security measures with a focus on the following key trends:

1. DevSecOps Emphasis: Companies are adopting DevSecOps practices, integrating security seamlessly into their DevOps processes. This cultural shift ensures that security becomes a shared responsibility among all stakeholders throughout the software development lifecycle.
2. Zero Trust Architecture: The traditional perimeter-based security model is giving way to the Zero Trust framework, operating on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” This approach involves thorough verification of every user and device, regardless of their location within or outside the organization’s network.
3. Increased Encryption Usage: With the rise in data breaches, there’s a growing trend toward robust encryption methods to safeguard data during transit and at rest. Advanced cryptographic techniques like homomorphic encryption are gaining popularity, enabling data processing while still encrypted.
4. Focus on Secure Code Practices: There’s a heightened emphasis on training developers in secure coding practices. This includes regular code reviews, vulnerability testing, and the utilization of static and dynamic analysis tools to identify and address security flaws during the development phase.
5. Rise of Cybersecurity Mesh: The concept of a cybersecurity mesh involves a flexible, modular approach to security, providing each device with its own security measures such as firewalls and network safeguards. This approach enhances the adaptability of security infrastructure to handle the dynamic nature of modern cyber threats, ensuring a safer overall network.

Further adoption of AR and VR

As AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) technologies become increasingly accessible, there is a surging demand for applications across various industries:

1. Education: VR is transforming education by enabling interactive lessons in history, geography, and science. Apps like Google Expeditions allow students to explore historical sites, conduct virtual dissections, and examine 3D models of complex subjects, enhancing the learning experience.
2. Healthcare: Applications like AccuVein utilize AR to locate veins, facilitating easier needle insertion. Surgical planning tools overlay 3D models onto a patient’s anatomy, providing precise guidance for medical procedures.
3. Business: VR is gaining traction in business for prototyping, staff training, and customer service. In real estate, VR/AR is used for virtual property tours, and AR apps help visualize furniture or renovations in a space before making purchase decisions.

Anticipating exciting developments in 2024, some of the highlights include:

1. Hyper-realistic Virtual Reality: VR can now simulate real-world sensations, blurring the line between virtual and reality, with advancements such as the sensation of rain or the scent of a summer meadow.
2. Expansion of Social VR Platforms: Social VR platforms facilitate real-time interactions, enabling virtual parties, attendance at concerts, and engagement in multiplayer games.
3. Integration of AI in VR: AI is increasingly personalized, adapting to user behavior to create dynamic environments that respond to individual preferences and actions.

Explore hyper-realistic VR examples in this video for a glimpse into the immersive experiences anticipated in 2024.

Sustainable software development

As environmental concerns continue to rise, green computing and sustainable software practices are gaining prominence in the field of software development. Developers are increasingly embracing eco-friendly solutions and supporting initiatives such as the Green Software Foundation and Sustainable Web Manifesto. These initiatives advocate for energy-efficient coding practices, focusing on reducing server processing, loading times, and data requests.

Key components of sustainable software development encompass:

1. Software Optimization: Streamlining code to minimize energy consumption and enhance overall performance.
2. Deployment Strategies: Utilizing resources judiciously, employing techniques like lazy functions and cloud-based applications to minimize energy waste.
3. Integrations: Reducing data processing between systems to avoid unnecessary data usage and enhance efficiency.
4. Stored Data Management: Limiting the quantity of stored data and the duration for which it is retained within the system.
5. Data Size Reduction: Implementing smaller-sized media where feasible to decrease storage and processing requirements.
6. Refactoring: Regularly updating software to eliminate outdated or unused features, maintaining optimal efficiency.
7. Avoiding Third-Party Components: Minimizing reliance on large external components that may consume excessive resources.
8. Software Architecture: Employing architectures that optimize efficiency and lower overall energy consumption.
9. Data Center Choices: Opting for hosting services committed to green practices and sustainable operations.

By incorporating these sustainable practices, developers contribute to the broader environmental goal while ensuring efficient and eco-friendly software development.

Computing

In the upcoming year, we foresee notable progress in critical computing domains, including Function-as-a-Service, cloud and edge computing, and, particularly, quantum computing.

Serverless computing (FaaS)

Serverless computing, or Function as a Service (FaaS), is gaining prominence, led by AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions. FaaS empowers developers to create and operate applications and services without the hassle of infrastructure management, fostering more efficient and cost-effective development workflows.

• A prime illustration of this trend is Netflix’s utilization of AWS Lambda within its streaming platform. Lambda functions play a pivotal role in tasks such as video encoding, user authentication, and backend process management. For instance, when a user uploads a video, Lambda functions are triggered to encode and process the content, adapting it for various streaming devices. This approach allows Netflix to dynamically scale resources based on demand, ensuring a seamless streaming experience without the complexities of server provisioning and management, thereby optimizing costs.
• Similarly, Spotify relies on Google Cloud Functions to handle diverse backend responsibilities in its music streaming platform. These functions are triggered to manage user authentication, process user-generated content, and execute backend tasks for their music recommendation algorithms, delivering a seamless and personalized user experience.
• IBM’s subsidiary, The Weather Company, harnesses IBM Cloud Functions to process and analyze vast volumes of weather data. Serverless functions enable real-time data processing, forecast generation, and personalized weather alerts based on user locations, all without the need for managing the underlying infrastructure.

Characterized by an event-driven architecture, FaaS solutions automatically execute in response to requests, adjusting resource usage as required. This scalability and responsiveness simplify the development process, making serverless computing particularly well-suited for high-traffic applications. Moreover, serverless computing is increasingly integrated with IoT, chatbots, and virtual assistants.

Expansion of cloud computing

In the upcoming year, cloud-native technologies are poised for significant advancement, promising improved user-friendliness, heightened performance, cost-effectiveness, and greater flexibility in meeting IT objectives. Major players like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform are set to broaden their service offerings, introducing more advanced analytics, machine learning capabilities, and enhanced security features.

For a concise overview of the diverse applications of cloud computing, refer to this video:

This trend is prompting businesses to transition to the cloud, seeking superior data management, enhanced collaboration, and elevated security standards.

Surge of edge computing

Edge computing, an integral IT architecture, involves processing client data at the network’s edge, situated as close as possible to the data source. This approach of bringing computation closer to data origins effectively reduces latency and elevates real-time data processing capabilities.

This trend plays a pivotal role in applications necessitating immediate data analysis. Notably, autonomous vehicles, exemplified by Tesla’s self-driving cars, heavily rely on edge computing. Similarly, smart city technologies leverage edge computing to enhance efficiency. In healthcare, this technology ensures data privacy and facilitates AI-based real-time monitoring and analysis of patients’ conditions. Beyond healthcare, edge computing transforms city traffic management by optimizing bus schedules, regulating traffic lanes, and potentially guiding autonomous vehicle flows, showcasing its versatility and significant impact across diverse domains. Furthermore, edge computing proves crucial for the adoption of smart grids, enabling enterprises to manage energy consumption efficiently.

Quantum computing: a new frontier

Quantum computing, an advanced paradigm, utilizes quantum bits, or qubits, instead of classical bits, capitalizing on quantum mechanics principles like superposition and entanglement. This allows for data processing at speeds beyond the reach of traditional computers, especially excelling in complex tasks such as cryptography, optimization, and molecular simulation, offering exponentially faster solutions.

While the broad adoption of quantum computing is on the horizon, its impact on software development is already apparent. Industry leaders like IBM, Microsoft, Google, D-Wave, and Amazon are at the forefront of this technological shift. IBM leads with Quantum System One and Two, boasting powerful processors with up to 127 qubits. Microsoft emphasizes topological qubits, integrating them into the Azure cloud platform for broader accessibility.

Google’s Quantum AI lab strives to develop a practical, universal quantum computer, while D-Wave specializes in quantum annealing to address intricate optimization challenges. Amazon, through its AWS Centre for Quantum Networking and Amazon Braket, is establishing an extensive infrastructure for quantum computing.

Programming languages

In 2024, the programming landscape will continue to be dominated by Python, with a noteworthy surge in the adoption of Rust.

Python Dominance:

Python maintains its stronghold as a leading programming language, celebrated for its simplicity, versatility, and robust library support. Widely applied in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing, Python boasts the highest growth rate (19%) and is recognized as the most popular programming language, according to the PYPL index. The 2023 Stack Overflow survey identifies Python as the most desired language for developers to learn. Having surpassed Java for the first time since 2012, Python is not only among the top two web app development languages but has also been honored as the TIOBE Programming Language of the Year three times in five years. Python’s extensive library range, facilitating seamless integration and scalability to larger applications, presents vast opportunities for both web and desktop app development, including system operations.

Growth in Rust Adoption:

The Rust programming language is witnessing increased adoption, particularly in fields where performance and safety take precedence. With unique features ideal for system-level programming, Rust is gaining traction in embedded systems, where its capability to prevent memory errors and ensure thread safety is pivotal. Additionally, its deployment in cloud infrastructure underscores its reliability and efficiency in handling high-performance computing tasks.

Application Development Trends:

In the world of applications, significant trends include the broader adoption of low-code and no-code platforms, advancements in cross-platform development, and the increasing use of progressive web applications.

Rise of Low-Code and No-Code Platforms

The democratization of software development gains momentum with the ascent of low-code and no-code platforms. These solutions empower individuals with limited coding expertise to create and launch applications, resulting in a substantial reduction in development time.

Platforms such as Microsoft Power Apps and Bubble empower non-technical users to construct applications without the need for coding. Particularly favored for business app development, these tools enable companies to swiftly prototype and deploy solutions without requiring an extensive development team. It’s essential to note that while these platforms excel in streamlining processes, they may not address intricate custom development tasks.

Increase in Progressive Web Applications (PWAs)

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer swifter and more resource-efficient downloads compared to native apps. They operate seamlessly offline and refresh automatically with each visit. From a development standpoint, PWAs prove cost-effective and efficient, demanding fewer versions for various devices, resulting in costs that are 3 to 4 times lower than native apps. Prominent companies like Forbes, Starbucks, and Pinterest have embraced this technology.

The increasing favorability of PWAs among developers stems from their platform independence, negating the necessity for crafting separate apps tailored to mobile, tablet, and desktop platforms. The advantages extend beyond development simplicity, encompassing faster creation and more economical maintenance. Learn how to build a PWA by watching this informative video:

Cross-Platform App Development

With the advent of mobile applications, developers have long grappled with the dilemma of crafting two native applications for Android and iOS or opting for a single cross-browser app. Native apps, renowned for their superior performance, have traditionally dominated the market.

A pivotal development in 2023, poised to gather momentum in 2024, is the introduction of new tools facilitating the delivery of user-friendly cross-platform solutions, concurrently slashing development costs. Cross-platform applications boast a multitude of advantages:

1. Broader Reach: Accessible on multiple operating systems (iOS, Android), expanding the potential user base.
2. Faster Development Time: A single development project, as opposed to multiple native apps, accelerates the process.
3. Consistent User Experience: Cross-platform applications exhibit a uniform look and feel across different platforms, enhancing user familiarity.
4. Shared Codebase: Code reusability promotes efficiency in development.
5. Easier Deployment: Simultaneous updates across all platforms streamline the deployment process.
6. Resource Efficiency: Requires fewer resources and a more compact development team.
7. Cost-Effectiveness: Reduced development and maintenance costs result from a single codebase catering to multiple platforms.

Prominent cross-platform frameworks include React Native, Flutter, Ionic, among others.

Conclusion

Explore the pivotal trends shaping the landscape of software development in 2024 and beyond in this article. At Serokell, we firmly advocate for responsible and ethical innovation as the foundation of all software development pursuits amid these evolving dynamics.

Stay informed about the latest trends and recent discoveries by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media. Join us in remaining at the forefront of IT innovations in 2024.