2019 in Software Development: Trends to Look out for
The rise of software development jobs hasn’t left Armenia untouched: in fact, this is the most rapidly growing profession, with demand rising by 16 per cent in տհե first half of 2018 alone. And although the demand for developers is nothing new, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain have boosted the growth of the niche even more recently.
This is no surprise: In fact, a developer’s work touches almost every aspect of life on the planet. This creates an unprecedented demand for workforce, and m more people are moving into the development sector to dive into trending technology. For those already in the niche, change is rapid and often takes place overnight. For others, still on their way to IT, the trending question is: “Which technology do I pick up so that it doesn’t fade away tomorrow?”
To make the decision easier, we have made this list of trending technologies in 2018 that are sure to carry on into 2019 and beyond.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Digital transformation is viewed by organizations of all sizes as the most crucial part of their business strategies to stay competitive. And what is the driving force behind digital transformation? Right, AI is!
In a recent report by Gartner, the revenue of the AI industry is set to hit $1.2 trillion by the end of 2018, up around 70% from the previous year. The long-term projection promises the AI-derived business value to reach $3.9 trillion by 2022.
It’s easy to conclude that AI will dominated the IT sphere for a couple of years in the least, it’s adoption reaching 40% of companies in USA in 2019, and rapidly penetrating the Armenian market, too.
Blockchain Technology
Blockchain technology has been the buzzword creating buzzwords with Bitcoin serving as a clear example. However, this technology has its applications that stretches far beyond Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
This technology is widely on the rise, with companies either having adopted it, or planning to adopt it in 2019. In a 2018 report by Forbes it was stated that the 10 largest companies in the world are now exploring Blockchain.
A couple of major examples would be this: in 2017 IBM launched its IBM Blockchain platform intended at collaboration with banks, governments, distributors and more. Microsoft, Amazon, and Oracle are also heavily investing into blockchain technology.
The blockchain is a peer-to-peer network of interconnected computers where data is stored and no third party can get access to steal or modify it. It is a distributed ledger technology which removes the need for central entities.
What this means for you as a software developer is that organizations in every industry all over the world will start building blockchain-based applications which, of course, requires workforce.
So, 2019 may be just the right time to jump into blockchain technology!
Progressive Web Apps
PWAs are cool! These are the websites or web pages that look and act like native mobile apps or conventional apps. Their main competitive advantage is providing benefits of mobile experience along with the features of browser technology.
Gartner had first mentioned PWAs as a software development trend last year and it is likely to maintain this status in 2019 as these apps are less complex to develop and maintain compared to conventional mobile apps.
So, if you’re looking for something easier to dive into, consider exploring PWAs.
Low-code Development
Low code development is quite a newbie to the list, having been around for only a short time. Even so, the technology has grown pretty fast among businesses. It is widely known that time-to-market is one of the most crucial aspects of app success, and LCD It provides a faster way for building and deploying enterprise-grade applications.
Large companies are adopting the new technology, like the acquisition of low-code development company Mendix for $730 million by Siemens. This clearly shows that low-code development will be a software development trend in 2019.
Cybersecurity
A recent research by Alert Logic reported that 18% of questioned organizations stated at least one security incident within the span of 1 year. Protecting data loss and leakage (67%) is the biggest concern for cybersecurity professionals, followed by threats to data privacy (61%) and breaches of confidentiality (53%).
Such statistics indicate that businesses of all sizes are concerned about cybersecurity and they are increasingly looking towards the software development industry. This opens a new path of opportunities for a web development company.
The takeaway
IT is still the trendy profession of the decade, and kickstarting your career or making a move to the most in-demand niches within IT may be a good idea for 2019! So, what are you waiting for?
About this author:
Armine Hakobyan is a digital storyteller with a heart for technology and innovation.
