
This article will look at what the software development world will look like next year and what you should include in your resolutions and plans for the new year.
Regardless of how fast the niche evolves and changes, we could find eight trends in the software development market that will be hot and thriving in 2021. We also look at the most popular development technologies and the most attractive niches for software developers. Let's get to the heart of the matter!
Software development trends
| The most popular development technologies
HackerRank, a virtual gathering of developers worldwide, has launched the world's largest developer skills survey. More than 100,000 programmers from 162 countries participated in the study, and here's what the global community has to say:
JavaScript is one of the most sought-after languages in software development. Some 53% of recruiters consider it one of the essential languages. Recruiters are also looking for people fluent in Python (49.5%) and Java (44.1%).
An exciting trend can be observed:
The situation for senior managers is more dynamic than for languages. Angular JS, React, and Spring are still in the top three, but ExpressJS and ASP have lost their positions while Django has risen. In fact, with the rise of AI (more on that later) and the corresponding rise of Python, Django is becoming more mainstream.
Another key indicator that will shape software development over the next year is which languages developers want to learn. It gives us an idea of which technologies are needed in projects or can offer higher salaries. According to HackerRank's report, the top languages developers want to learn are Go, Python, Kotlin, and frameworks - React, AngularJS and Django.
| Niches where software development is booming
COVID-19 has had an impact on the distribution of software development in niches. Some niches have been put in the spotlight by the pandemic, such as healthcare, education technology, e-commerce, fintech, cybersecurity, etc. We have seen a growth in demand and consequently rapid progress in software development in these niches.
As it looks like the pandemic will not end as quickly as in 2020, these niches will continue to have a great need for new software. In addition, many of us have become so accustomed to the benefits of information and communication technologies and e-commerce that this trend may be here to stay.
| Cloud technologies
Cloud technologies are another niche area that has seen significant growth during the pandemic. 59% of companies plan to exceed their cloud adoption plans.
Especially as many companies are under pressure to save as much as possible and reduce costs, Cloud computing is the perfect opportunity.
Secondly, it is easier to work with the cloud from the home office, where it is impossible to discuss changes in a room or have access to company laptops.
Therefore, it seems that the cloud is here to stay and will continue to evolve in 2021.
| Human augmentation, AR, and mixed reality
With AR and mixed reality being actively used in distance learning, healthcare, and gaming, and with human augmentation enhancing human capabilities by combining medicine and technology, it is clear that these technologies are set to grow, given all the circumstances of the past year.
The global mixed reality market expects to grow at an approximate rate of 73.2% per year over the next few years. And as always, more investment and more new projects mean faster technological development and faster implementation of innovations.
| IoT trend from 2021
The Internet of Things may no longer be seen as the latest novelty but is an integral part of our reality. The rapid growth of IoT has become so natural. That's why it will continue to flourish in 2021, and we can expect projects that will change people's lives even further.
With humanity likely to stay at home beyond 2020, tech companies will find new ways to make leaving home more enjoyable. Software developers will need a lot of help to make this happen.
| Artificial intelligence follows the IoT.
IoT is based on artificial intelligence. That's why this niche is growing as fast as the last one.
Yet, it is likely to grow even more. AI is widely used in offices to prevent huddles, detect asymptomatic COVID-19 infections and automate processes that require large groups of people. AI is also helping retailers understand how customers adapt to staying at home and could predict while preventing new pandemics.
| The proliferation of native applications
Companies operating in today's highly competitive niche markets need to offer their users the best possible experience to remain commercially viable. It is why native applications designed specifically for each platform have become a trend. They enable a high level of application usability and functionality.
Despite this, iOS and Android developers will also be in high demand in 2021.
| PWAs as a solution
Native apps are great, but they are costly to develop. Businesses that can't afford to buy a native app will turn to PWAs, which offer a nearly as good user experience at a reasonable price.
PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) are web apps, a fundamental difference from native apps on iOS and Android. However, in terms of speed, user experience, security, etc., they achieve almost the same features as native apps.
| Outsourcing software development is a trend.
Now it's official: working remotely is no worse than working in an office. If companies know more about remote working and team management, they will be less reluctant to hire offshore developers and freelancers.
In general, they can choose from a larger pool of talent and even save money by hiring from offshore.
| Low-code and no-code development
Companies are looking to cut costs as much as possible in a year of crisis and reduce staff. As a result, they may not have the money for an entire development team and will jump at the chance to develop the required application without coding expertise.
It is why "low-code" or "no-code" solutions, which allow non-technical people to create websites or mobile applications, are increasingly popular. Over the next four years, annual growth expects to exceed 28%.
Paradoxically, the proliferation of no-code solutions will increase the need for software designers to develop these projects, especially as these tools expect to become more complex.
| Conclusion
IT trends in 2021 predict the continued development of AR, IoT, AI, and other similar technologies. To reduce costs, companies will opt for non-coding platforms, clouds, and PWAs. COVID winners will determine the trends in native application development and the distribution of software development across different market sectors.
Pandemic pretty much dominates top software development companies in India trends but offers the opportunity to expand into niche India.