Top 5 Software Development Trends In 2021

Integration of cutting-edge technologies, as well as the use of new development processes keeping with client needs, are vital signs of where businesses should concentrate their attention. Every year, new software development technologies emerge, and standing still is no longer a viable option. In turn, becoming a leader in trending software technologies seems to be the only way to gain a competitive advantage and meet the expectations of your customers.

The year 2020 was a defining moment for the software development community, with numerous practical achievements in a variety of fields. COVID-19 has considerably accelerated the digital revolution, and this trend will continue in 2021. Enjoy the reading if you want to discover the top 5 software development trends in 2021.

1. Focus On the Cloud

The majority of the industries, with the exception of a few industries, were severely harmed during COVID-19. Cloud computing is a forerunner industry that grew stronger than ever throughout the global pandemic. If there was any doubt or skepticism about Cloud adoption, COVID-19 has eradicated it.

To put it simply, Cloud adoption has become one of the emerging software development trends in 2021. Forrester estimated that the global public cloud IT infrastructure market will rise by 35% to a staggering 120 billion dollars in 2021.

Hence, plan your Cloud migration now, regardless of your business, as the entire globe is moving to Cloud sooner rather than later. In 2021 and beyond, Cloud-Native Engineers will be in short supply and in great demand.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is Rising Like Never Before

Artificial intelligence refers to a variety of technologies that can handle enormous volumes of data from consumers in order to give a better and more enriched user experience. According to the 2020 McKinsey State of AI survey, 50% of participants said their companies have already implemented AI in at least one function. So, what will be the most popular AI software development trends in 2021?

• Growth in computer vision applications that use data sensors and cameras to monitor public environments. The apps will be able to measure social estrangement in the post-pandemic environment using artificial neural networks.
• Companies will use predictive analytics mixed with computing power to locate prospective customers in large numbers. Companies can have accessibility to the sales data of hundreds of customers and learn about their preferences using AI algorithms.
• Robotics will be increasingly used to manage rule-based business operations in finance, branding, and manufacturing.

Talking about the trends of AI applications, we may easily find examples of AI applications in the development of good functional websites and applications. Many review business directory web applications and platforms, such as Yelp, Trip Advisor, CityLocal Pro, etc., use AI algorithms to detect spam reviews.

These platforms employ automated software to determine which reviews are credible to present users with more accurate review information. Not only that, but the majority of websites and applications use AI to identify user activity on their website in order to make it functional.

This might involve recommending products that consumers appear to be more interested in. As a software developer, it is essential to comprehend these AI trends.

3. The Next Big Development Is Progressive Web Applications

People no longer wait for an application to be downloaded before using it since modern people expect a rapid solution. And web applications do this: they are significantly quicker to download than traditional apps while also providing a user experience that is similar to native apps and the ability to deliver notifications.

According to Forbes, Progressive web applications are said to boost user engagement by 137 percent as they can be used offline. These types of applications are affordable and time-saving to design because they do not require several versions for different devices. It makes the use of progressive web applications one of the major software development trends in 2021.

The Washington Post, Pinterest, and Starbucks are among the companies that have already adopted progressive web applications technology. According to a case study, Pinterest has seen a 44 percent boost in ad income and a 40 percent increase in user time spent on their progressive web application when compared to their mobile website.

4. Java and JVM Remain Popular Among Programmers

Java first arrived in the software development realm in the mid-1990s, and it has since risen to the top of the list of most popular software development platforms. Java has been embraced by a large number of businesses due to its high level of security, and leading service providers such as Amazon and Google support it for application development.

Java also has a high level of reliability, is widely used in Android App Development, and has a large number of open-source libraries. It also provides a significant degree of platform freedom, thanks to the JVM functionality. As a result, JVM is used as the runtime for several prominent programming languages such as Kotlin and Groovy.

Despite the fact that it has no competition in terms of reliability and security, Java ranks among the top software development trends in 2021, requiring developers to closely monitor and learn every new Java programming innovation.

5. The Internet of Things Is Expanding

Simply described, the Internet of Things (IoT) is the use of the Internet to connect computer devices to everyday objects. According to Business Insider, there will be more than 41 billion IoT devices on the planet by 2027, which is five times the number in 2019. Because of its ability to collect enormous volumes of data from sensors, process it, and transport it across cloud networks, the innovation has become one of the major software development trends in 2021.

This method is perfect, ensures no delays, provides excellent security, and creates an interactive user interface. In 2021, we will see an increase in IoT use in the healthcare industry and in remote work organizations, in addition to regular applications. With the advent of COVID-19, the significance of online and remote healthcare has grown even more.

People are more willing to use wearables for regular examinations, and patients and healthcare providers now have the opportunity to share clinical treatment guidelines in real-time, a procedure that will be greatly aided by impending 5G and smart hardware technologies.

Final Thoughts

Things that were once called science fiction have long since vanished from the scene. Furthermore, they are on the approach of becoming a commonplace feature of enterprises of all sizes. Modern software development technologies present a plethora of possibilities to take advantage of. Throughout 2022, we'll be tracking each of these domains' continued growth and evolution.