Software development is a constantly changing and evolving industry. To stay relevant, companies must pay attention to what the next big trend might bring.
The software development market is booming and there appears to be no end in sight to the growth opportunities available. With business moving at such a rapid pace, it is especially vital to stay relevant and up to date on emerging trends and technologies.
Skill requirements are constantly changing, making it even more difficult to recruit and hire the best developers. Software development methodologies rise and fall, but some, like DevOps, SRE, and Agile, seem poised to stay. What exactly is the state of web development, the best programming languages and popular methodologies? What are the difficulties of hiring talented developers who have experience with these skills and methodologies?
Web development is not dead
Recently, some interesting speculation has spread about the state of web development and DIY options. Website building technologies have been gaining prominence as DIY website builders provide an excellent service for smaller businesses.
Options like Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace are especially popular in the service industry, allowing hairdressers, dog walkers, and plumbers to create a website for their business on a budget and without any real coding experience. Business owners choose these technologies because of the low knowledge barrier required and their minimal upfront costs.
However, these tools don't mean that custom web development is dead. Instead, it is more accurate to say that web development is evolving. Many companies do not have the organization's capacity to handle web development in-house, but want a custom solution.
Website builders are rarely a suitable option for midsize or enterprise-level web applications due to their limited design flexibility and poor SEO integration. Instead, companies have the ability to outsource their web development needs to specialized third-party development teams to gain the benefits of expertise in a cost-effective manner.
Programming languages of today and tomorrow
Programming language popularity is sometimes the best indicator of market demand. Based on Stack Overflow Developer Survey results for 2021 that summarize responses from over 85,000 respondents, the top 5 programming languages today are:
- JavaScript
- HTML/CSS
- Phyton
- SQL
- Java
HTML and CSS are web technologies with close ties to JavaScript . Phyton is a powerful programming language often used for backend development, data science, and machine learning applications. SQL stands for Structured Query Language, which continues to see growth in response to the rise of Big Data and the need for database management.
Java, a somewhat antiquated technology, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity closely associated with its use in desktop applications and Android mobile development. There are over 54,000 Java developer jobs currently available onLinkedIn .
While the future of Java remains unknown, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Python, and SQL will likely remain at the top of the list for years to come. Companies that want to develop new software should prioritize applications that make use of these technologies, whether internally or working with external outsourced development teams. Companies should expect reduced salary costs when hiring junior developers in these areas.
DevOps
As software development matures, so do the philosophies and best practices surrounding development. The first software development methodology, the Waterfall method , is still in use, but it has its problems. Historically, software development occurred in isolation, as the development team created a product and handed it off to IT for implementation.
DevOps is a methodology that changed this workflow by combining development and operations departments. Previously, these two teams were almost entirely isolated, meaning they operated separately. The DevOps movement began to gain momentum in 2008 and has since proven revolutionary.
Most large companies, including large technology companies, have already started integrating DevOps into their development culture, including:
- Amazon
- Netflix
- Wal-Mart
- NASA
- Adobe
DevOps promotes team collaboration throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This methodology focuses on developing a core software product that will include IT systems and recommendations during design and development.
Site Reliability Engineering (SRE)
If a company has already transitioned to DevOps, incorporating Site Reliability Engineering could be the next step. SRE is a software engineering practice that focuses on treating IT like operations. Since its original creation at Google in 2003 , Site Reliability Engineering has since expanded beyond the enterprise. The field of SRE is growing rapidly, experiencing 22% growth in 2021 .
Site Reliability Engineering is very effective because it minimizes the work of system administrators. Engineers focus on building IT tools that reduce operations workload. SREs monitor metrics such as latency, uptime, and performance. IT professionals responsible for SREs spend their time automating IT processes and minimizing downtime.
This specialized branch of software engineering proves to be one of the best functions to outsource. SREs combine the specialties of software development and information technology. Your workflow is more independent and easily accomplished remotely.
Agile
Agile is another software development methodology worth noting. While not new to the development world, it remains a powerful approach. The agile methodology recommends an iterative approach to software development. It is a popular choice for outsourcing as project managers have plenty of experience in agile methodology to help manage timelines and sprint goals.
Agile does not directly compete with DevOps, but agile recommends smaller teams , with 5 and 11 members. These 2 methodologies can coexist with some changes. Larger companies may divide software development teams into smaller units, with each unit focused on developing a single feature. You can also divide the operational side into small teams to keep team members focused on one area of expertise.
With sprints (or short, repeated intervals of time), companies are especially flexible. Agile methodologies break development into manageable chunks, rather than working for months toward the big goal of a complete project. This means teams can pivot quickly and make necessary changes whenever development needs to change. At any time, companies can reevaluate and change course.
Jobs for developers?
Companies around the world are in desperate need of good software developers . Recruiters note that filling software development positions is one of the most challenging tasks they can face. It can take almost two months to fill open software development positions, especially for full-stack developers. This can significantly slow down any ongoing software project.
There is a high level of technical knowledge required by developers and the field is still relatively young. In recent years, higher education institutions have begun creating pipelines of developers and engineers to help meet demand and train students in this expanding field.
Once again, outsourced development teams are a great solution for companies looking to undertake software projects as skills shortages increase while remaining within required budgets and deadlines.
Plan ahead for 2023
Given the rapid pace of change in the software development market, it is not too early to strategize for 2023. Companies should pay particular attention to emerging trends and areas of investment. Programming languages, best practices, methodologies, and new technologies can quickly move from fringe to mainstream.
Machine learning, data security, blockchain and cryptocurrency, low-code/no-code, and the growing demand for outsourcing are likely to change the landscape of software development in the coming years. In-house and outsourced development teams should invest in developing these future skills in developers as early as possible.
Source: BairesDev
