The new decade is upon us, and with it comes a flood of excitement for the changes and trends we will see in tech. Software development has become more integral to nearly every sector of the world, so the developments and changes in software development have a vast amount of impact on our lives. While we cannot always accurately predict what lies ahead for tech, there are some trends that we expect to continue into the new decade.

Let’s discuss 8 software development trends that we expect to see in 2020 and beyond.

1. Artificial Intelligence will continue to dominate

Though Artificial Intelligence has been around for many years, it continues to grow and enhance every year as it becomes more foundational to many technologies around the world. Developers predict that AI will continue to dominate as more and more industries adopt AI in their infrastructures.

The biggest trends for 2020 suggest that healthcare, education, travel industries, and social media will utilize AI for personalized experiences, assistance, and prediction services. AI will be the new competitive edge for industries across the spectrum, changing the way we think about human involvement and resources. The Deep Learning framework Tensorflow 2.0 is predicted to dominate the market.

2. Python predicted to rise alongside AI and Ml developments

From ML research to video game development to web development, Python consistently proves a popular and well-loved language. Since ML and AI development is on the rise, Python is predicted to continue in this steady growth and popularity, particularly for impressive innovations including ML-powered chatbots.

Though the concept of the “fastest-growing” language can be hard to pin down, data suggests that Python may just take the cake. Not only is Python used for a variety of popular fields and jobs, but it also has a low entry barrier and supportive community fostered by the newest generation of developers.

Image source: Stack Overflow

3. 5G may be the next big thing to open doors for developers

Image Source: The Verge

5G enters the market in 2020, and this exciting, faster network brings with it new problems, good and bad, for developers to solve. Despite the drawback and controversies, 5G has the potential to revolutionize handheld devices and open the doors for developers to get in on the ground floor of distributed technologies. It offers the chance for developers to work on more robust applications and augmented reality features. Overall, 5G is predicted to transform the world, from powering smart cities to improving traffic systems to increased capacity for network expansion.

Of course, the processing power of 5G brings with it concerns that developers also need to address, such as the recent concerns for weather prediction technologies or complaints around poor coverage. Regardless of the challenges ahead, the technology is promising and worth the investment.

4. Edge and Cloud computing predicted to rise

Alongside 5G comes the potential for Edge computing, a decentralized computing infrastructure. The highly distributed model of Edge computing (sometimes called fog computing) may help to overcome the disadvantages of Cloud computing. These developments may be the future of computation and industry. Cloud computing proves vital to company infrastructures, and as cybersecurity concerns persist, large companies across all industries move towards the Cloud as a solution.

On top of that, the worldwide public cloud service revenue is forecasted to rise from 227.8 billion US dollars to 266.4 billion by the end of 2020. Edge computing is predicted to be on the rise as an upgrade to cloud computing capabilities. In fact, the worldwide Edge computing marketis predicted to rise from 1.47 billion USD in 2018 to 26.84 billion USD by 2025.

5. Languages predicted to breakthrough: Rust, TypeScript, Kotlin, and Swift

Over the past decade, hundreds of programming languages have been created for developers around the world. This shift away from the monolithic languages of the past enables developers to work with specialized languages that focus more on developer ergonomics and modernized developments in hardware. The sheer variety of programming languages empowers developers, strengthens the industry, and turns our focus towards solving human problems. StackOverflow research suggests that the top 4 modern programming languages to rise in 2020 are Rust, TypeScript, Kotilin, and Swift, with Rust taking 4th position for the last four years consecutively.

6. Kubernetes emerges as the victor over Mesos and Docker Swarm

Along with the rise of Cloud computing comes the rise of containerization applications, and Kubernetes has emerged as the clear winner. As cloud technologies continue to integrate with our world, Kubernetes will be an important tool for developers everywhere. Research shows that Kubernetes popularity continues to rise. Developers predict that in 2020, we will see a rise in best practices and standardization of this widely-popular application.

7. Web frameworks: React continues to shine through

React had a huge impact on web development, bringing with it ease and innovation useful for developers across the board. It has shown to be the most dominant JavaScript Web Framework in the past year, and the stats suggest that this will continue in years to come. Though other frameworks like Vue do offer their own unique capabilities, React is preferred by many due to its flexibility and robustness. And since React is backed by Facebook, it will only continue to rise in the industry as a standard for web development. Take a look at these Google Trends to see how far ahead React is in worldwide interest since 2017.

Image Source: Google Trends

8. Lower barrier to enter in Software Development: self-taught programmers on the rise

Despite the common perception of the tech industry, there is a gap in supply-demand for software development. And as the price of university rises across the globe, fewer people are turning to expensive degrees in Computer Science. The entry barrier for software developers is predicted to lower in the next few years to make space for self-taught developers. On top of that, some developers predict that there will be an increase in LCNC development (low-code, no-code development) for enterprises to innovate without the need for CS degree-holding programmers.

Online learning platforms are one reason why the industry is shifting. Educative provides university-level courses for developers of all levels to level-up their coding skills and tackle new languages at a low, stress-free cost. The goal for 2020 is to empower people around the world to join the world of development without the financial burden of university.

Image Source: Stackoverflow