Five Software Development Trends That Will Shape 2024

By 2028, it is expected that 75% of software engineers will have integrated AI-based systems, a considerable increase from the 10% recorded at the beginning of 2023. Adapting to and leveraging the latest technologies, as well as improving work dynamics through approaches like platform engineering and the new DevOps, are some of the trends on the rise.

Software development is the backbone of the digital world. As its importance grows, so does the number of professionals in the field: in 2022, there were 31 million programmers worldwide, and this figure is expected to reach 45 million by 2030, according to Developer Nation Community.

Platform Engineering

Platform engineering focuses on providing a technological environment that accelerates the delivery of applications. According to Gartner, the creation and maintenance of these platforms are the responsibility of a specialized team that provides reusable services, tools, and applications, thus promoting self-service and enhancing innovation and efficiency in software development at an organizational level. Gartner predicts that 80% of software engineering organizations will establish platform teams by 2024.

BBVA, for instance, has launched ONE, its new software development culture, which aims to build an environment of continuous improvement and enhance the experience of developers, as explained by José Luis Elechiguerra, Global Head of Engineering at BBVA.

The New DevOps

The DevOps approach, implemented in companies like BBVA, aims to improve collaboration and communication between software development teams and IT operations teams. DevOps provides an innovative framework that enhances processes and allows for more efficient use of common tools. IronHack predicts that by 2024, DevOps will focus on greater automation, advanced integration of security practices, better collaboration opportunities, and a special attention to user experiences and developer well-being.

The DevOps market is expected to grow by 20% between 2023 and 2032, reaching a value of $70 billion, according to Global Market Insights.

Artificial Intelligence

Generative artificial intelligence, which has revolutionized many sectors with the launch and evolution of ChatGPT, has also arrived in the programming world. Deloitte explains that this technology plays an increasingly significant role in the creation, testing, and delivery of applications. By 2028, it is expected that 75% of software engineers will adopt AI-based assistants, a notable increase from the 10% recorded at the beginning of 2023, according to Gartner.

These AI tools facilitate code generation, translation of legacy code, conversion of design files to web pages, and improvement of the testing process, thus increasing developer productivity and allowing them to focus on higher-value activities.

No-Code and Low-Code Platforms

No-code platforms enable developers to quickly create applications without the need for programming, using pre-built templates and intuitive interfaces. Along with low-code, which facilitates rapid application delivery with minimal coding, these platforms offer greater flexibility in programmer training. IBM highlights that by 2025, 70% of new enterprise applications will use low-code or no-code technologies, a significant increase from 25% in 2020, according to Gartner.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing

By the end of 2024, the number of devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to exceed 207 billion. Telefónica predicts an evolution towards the artificial intelligence of things (AIoT), which uses machine learning to enhance data collection from IoT devices and allow systems to self-correct and adapt continuously.

Additionally, edge computing brings data processing closer to its source of generation, accelerating processing in applications that require real-time response and improving data privacy and security.

Other Key Trends for 2024

Leveraging the advantages of artificial intelligence, addressing the challenges of IoT and edge computing, and operating with no-code platforms will be essential in 2024. Furthermore, the rise of quantum computing, the adoption of blockchain technology, and the reinforced implementation of cybersecurity measures will be other trends to watch. Adapting to these trends will allow software developers to lay the foundation for the next generation of digital products and services.