You will not be replaced by a robot, rest assured. AI is not the ultimate trend in software dev. Many other surprising things are shaping the industry. You might like some of them (or all of them). UPDATED, March 2024.
Cloud-powered dev environments for any activity
One of the challenges of software development is setting up and maintaining a consistent and productive development environment. This can be time-consuming, costly, and prone to errors, especially when working with multiple technologies, platforms, and teams. A solution to this problem is to use fully configured dev environments in the cloud, also known as cloud-powered dev environments or cloud development environments (CDEs).
CDEs are online platforms that provide developers with everything they need to code, test, and deploy their applications, without having to install or configure anything on their local machines. CDEs offer many benefits, such as faster and easier setup, seamless collaboration, scalability, security, and portability. CDEs also enable developers to access their work from any device and location, as long as they have an internet connection. Some examples of CDEs are GitHub Codespaces, AWS Cloud9, Microsoft Visual Studio Online, and Gitpod.
Professional certificates rather than academic degrees/diplomas
Professional certificates are credentials that certify one’s skills and competencies in a specific domain or technology, such as cloud computing, data science, web development, or cybersecurity. Unlike academic degrees, which are more research-oriented and broad in scope, professional certificates are more practical and focused on the current needs and standards of the industry.
Professional certificates offer many benefits for software developers and employers alike. For developers, they can help them acquire new skills, demonstrate their expertise, boost their resume, and increase their earning potential. For employers, they can help them find qualified candidates, reduce training costs, and improve the quality and performance of their teams. Professional certificates also enable developers to keep up with the fast-changing and evolving technologies and trends in software development, as they require continuous learning and renewal.
UX as a true first-class citizen
User experience (UX) is not just a sauce for your dish (webapp). It is a crucial factor that determines the success or failure of a product. UX encompasses the entire interaction that users have with a product, from the moment they discover it, to the moment they stop using it. It covers aspects such as usability, accessibility, aesthetics, functionality, performance, and satisfaction.
However, UX is often neglected or treated as a second-class citizen in software development. Some common reasons for this are: lack of awareness, budget constraints, tight deadlines, technical limitations, or organizational culture3 This can lead to products that are frustrating, confusing, or disappointing for users, and ultimately harm the reputation and revenue of the developers. To avoid this, UX should be integrated into every stage of software development, from ideation, to design, to testing, to deployment, and beyond. UX should be a collaborative and iterative process that involves users, developers, designers, and other stakeholders.
Low-code/No-code (LCNC)
This enables users to create applications with minimal or no coding skills, by offering platforms that use friendly UI, drag-and-drop features, and pre-built components to simplify and accelerate the application development process. LCNC platforms can be used by both professional developers and non-technical operators, such as business analysts, domain experts, or citizen developers.
LCNC platforms are not just for building applications. They are for creating experiences. With LCNC platforms, you can design or prototype apps that are tailored to user needs and preferences, without having to write a single line of code. You can also update and enhance your apps as often as you want, without having to wait for developers or testers. This tech is ever-evolving, and it offers the flexibility and agility to keep up with the changing demands and expectations of your market.
Backend as a Service (BaaS)
This takes the hassle of configuring, deploying and maintaining server-side components such as auth, API, database, storage, etc., while allowing devs to focus on the front-end of the app, i.e. the functionality and the UI. It also allows them to scale the app without worrying about infrastructure and security issues.
Backend as a Service also potentially complements Low-code/No-code (LCNC), as together they help build both the front-end and back-end of the app. This way, developers can create applications faster and easier, without having to worry about many technical details.
Collaborative QA
As you know, quality assurance is an essential part of software development, but it can also be time-consuming and tedious. That’s why more and more R&D divisions are adopting a collaborative approach to QA, where they involve other stakeholders such as customers, users, designers, and testers in the process of finding and eliminating defects. It is not an alternative to traditional QA, but a much-needed boost that increases test coverage.
Collaborative QA is a trend that reflects the increasing complexity and diversity of software development, where testers need to collaborate with different specialists and perspectives to deliver a high-quality product.
Web rather than non-web
Webapps are applications that run on browsers and can be accessed from any device, regardless of the operating system or hardware. This means that webapps can reach a wider audience and offer a consistent user experience across different platforms. It is the right direction and the future/present of web development, as webapps are more affordable, faster, and easier to create and maintain than non-webapps. Whether they are progressive web apps (PWA) or just normal webapps, they provide a seamless and engaging user experience that almost matches the alternative.
Non-webapps, on the other hand, are applications that are installed and run on specific devices, such as desktop computers, smartphones, or tablets. They may require different versions or adaptations for different operating systems, such as Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, etc. This means that non-webapps are more costly and time-consuming to develop, maintain and test, as they have to account for the diversity and compatibility of various platforms.
Genuine CSS specialists and advanced prototyping
CSS is a powerful and versatile tool to create an appealing and interactive UI, but it also demands a lot of creativity and expertise. Genuine CSS specialists are those who can truly bridge the gap between design and development, and create polished and high-fidelity prototypes that match the vision and the mockups.
They can create advanced and complex prototypes that showcase the full potential of CSS, without relying on other tools or libraries that can result in bloated and inefficient code. They can also ensure that the prototypes work well across different browsers and devices. They may not be strong in programming, but they bring the UI to life like no other role.
Hybrid Agile: prolonged sprints
Hybrid Agile is a trend that is emerging as a response to the dissatisfaction and frustration of many devs with the traditional Agile methodology. Many devs feel that Agile is too pressuring and demanding, as it forces them to work in short sprints, deliver frequent updates, and deal with constant changes and feedback. They also feel that Agile results in unreliable and low-quality applications, as it does not allow enough time for planning, designing, testing, and refining the software. Many social posts express this sentiment, such as this one, this one and that one.
Prolonged sprints are one way to implement Hybrid Agile, which combines the best of both Agile and Waterfall approaches. Each sprint is longer than the typical two-week sprint in Agile, and can range from 4 to 8 weeks. This allows devs and testers to have more time to work on complex and challenging tasks, without having to rush or compromise on quality. Such sprints also allow them to have more stability and predictability in their work, as they can plan and avoid frequent interruptions and changes. It’s about delivering more reliable and valuable software products, while still maintaining some of the benefits of Agile, such as customer feedback, collaboration, and adaptation.
Shift-left security
Shift-left security is a fresh trend and a software development model that integrates security into every stage of the development process, from planning to deployment. It is a practice of moving security checks as early and often in the development process as possible, as part of a DevSecOps shift. The term was first coined by Larry Smith in 2001, but it has gained more popularity and relevance in recent years, as organizations increasingly rely on the cloud and face more sophisticated and frequent cyberattacks. Shift-left security can help developers save time and money, improve collaboration and communication, enhance customer satisfaction and trust, and support compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
Shift-left security is the future of software development because it aligns with the Agile and DevOps methodologies that are becoming more popular in the industry. By shifting security left, developers can collaborate with security teams more effectively, automate security testing and remediation, and reduce the risk of releasing insecure code to production. Shift-left security also enables developers to take ownership of the security of their code, which can improve their skills and awareness of security best practices. Shift-left security is not only a technical approach, but also a cultural and organizational change that can benefit both developers and customers.
Software dev is a dynamic and evolving field that is influenced by many trends and technologies, and you should not let AI distract you from those, as they can offer more benefits and opportunities for devs and users alike. Some of the examples are LCNC, BaaS, collaborative QA, webapps, advanced prototyping, Hybrid Agile, and Shift-left security (as discussed above). They are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary and synergistic. By adopting them, devs can create better software products faster, easier, and cheaper, while also delivering more value and satisfaction to their users. Moreover, they can help developers cope with the challenges and changes in the software industry, and stay ahead of the curve.