Top 7 Trends in Open-Source Technology in 2022

Open-source technology refers to a certain type of technology or software which is distributed among the masses with its source code, enabling programmers to change the behavior of an application or program. If a programmer has access to the source code of particular software, he can amend, examine, and made changes to that software by upgrading it with new features or fixing a broken part to increase its efficiency. 

The idea of open-source technologies emerged in 1983 when Richard Stallman, a programmer and a researcher at MIT, floated the idea that technology should be open-source. He wanted more freedom for programmers, as he believed that programmers can create better versions of the software and bring revolutionary changes to the technology if they are provided with the source code. This idea led to the creation of the Open Source Initiative, or OSI, in 1998 (Adey, 2021).

Over the years, many things have changed and new trends have emerged in the open-source software domain, giving birth to new ideas and creating more opportunities for programmers so they can learn, adapt, and implement their teachings and contribute to the well-being of open-source software (Wallen, 2022).

Let’s look at some of the biggest trends about to happen in the open-source technology realm which will change this industry for the years to come.

1. Demand for People With Open-Source IT Skills Will Be on the Rise

There will be a surge in demand for full-stack developers and IT persons having open-source skills. The diversity in stacks used in the development, modeling, and operations of software systems will provide programmers and developers with massive opportunities to enhance their skill set. Experience in the fields of cloud computing, DevOps tooling, Kubernetes, Python, PyTorch, and so on will enable programmers to optimize businesses and increase their revenue. Businesses and enterprises, whether large or small, will be looking to fill the gaps as they invest in the power of open-source technologies and the positive impact they can have in solving the customer’s problems (Kamaruzzaman, 2021).

2. The Adoption Rate for Containers and Kubernetes Will Increase

Adoption of Kubernetes (which acts as an open-source container orchestration platform for cloud applications) will be on the rise. This will enable the widespread use of compatible open-source container formats as described in the Open Container Initiative. Although the learning curve required in implementing Kubernetes is massive, things are going smoothly as a large number of IT teams around the globe have realized the true potential this technology holds. Kubernetes is regarded as the most important open-source technology, and its adoption will increase in 2022 (Wallen, 2022).

3. Snap and Flatpak Will Be Accepted on a Larger Scale

Snap and Flatpak are both systems designed for distributing Linux apps. Although they have been ridiculed over the course of time, these systems simplify the installation process of applications and make room for more applications on the desktop. Due to Snap and Flatpak, applications like Slack, Spotify, and Skype can be installed without any hassle. These two systems are now needed, and the Linux community will understand their significance sooner or later. In the near future, a distribution that completely defaults to Snap and Flatpak will be released on the App Store. It’s going to be a treat for new users (Kamaruzzaman, 2021).

4. Emphasis on Open-Source Security Will Increase and Attacks on Supply Chains Will Be Averted

 As the penetration of open-source technology increases in today’s IT world, so does the need to strengthen security measures to prevent cyberattacks on this technology. New tools which can scan vulnerabilities in open-source software are going to be introduced and will be used frequently to mitigate any harm. IT firms and organizations dealing with open-source technology will be investing in acquiring new versions of software and patches that will improve the overall security situation. 

Hackers intrude in the software supply chain when they find unpatched open-source vulnerabilities where they can insert nasty viruses or software. But this is going to be stopped now. Organizations like the Linux Foundation will step up their game and prevent hackers from achieving their malicious designs. The development of advanced open-source tools such as digital signing services will continue to evolve in 2022 and beyond (Wallen, 2022).

5. The Launch of a New Open-Source Social Network May Occur in 2022

This can be considered a wish that may easily see the light of the day in 2022. A completely new social network that is open-source from all sides is possible, and it can give a tough time to Facebook. This social network could completely alter the ways social networking is performed and will give more freedom to programmers and developers to improve the user experience for the common masses. 

6. It's High Time to Implement AI With Full Force

Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and data-driven technologies are here to stay and will see a rapid increase in their implementation and execution. AI can be of great help to humans as it can perform dull, monotonous tasks over and over again and save a lot of time for developers and programmers. They can shift their focus to more intelligent tasks at hand. Using GPT-3 and other NLP libraries, AI has the ability to automate these tasks. Several AI assistants are smart enough to generate source code for developers, such as Tabnine, GitHub Copilot, and Codota. They are still in the early phases but are maturing with each passing day (Wallen, 2022).

7. Steam Deck Will Prove that Linux Can Provide a Better Gaming Experience

Steam Deck is a portable handheld gaming device, and in 2022, Linux is determined that it can game. Linux is not going to dethrone Windows in the realm of desktop gaming, but it will prove that Linux is also a viable option when it comes to playing games through Steam (Martinez-Torres & Diaz-Fernandez, 2013).

References

Wallen, J. (2022, January 5). Open-source predictions for 2022: Snap, Flatpak, Centos Stream, Linux job demand and more. TechRepublic. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://www.techrepublic.com/article/open-source-predictions-for-2022 / 

Kamaruzzaman, M. (2021, December 31). 22 predictions about the software development trends in 2022. Medium. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://towardsdatascience.com/22-predictions-about-the-software-development-trends-in-2022-fcc82c263788  

Adey, O. (2021, December 29). 2022 - Tech Trends 2022: A good year for open source and the cloud. The Latest News. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://gettotext.com/tech-trends-2022-a-good-year-for-open-source-and-the-cloud/  

Martinez-Torres, M. R., & Diaz-Fernandez, M. C. (2013). Current issues and research trends on open-source software communities. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 26(1), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2013.850158 

Pollock, R. (n.d.). Innovation, imitation and open source. Multi-Disciplinary Advancement in Open Source Software and Processes, 114–127. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-60960-513-1.ch008