The software development landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and techniques emerging every year. In 2023, some trends are gaining traction, while others are losing steam. From the rise of AI partners to the decline of human pair programming, we've got the scoop on what's hot and what's not in software development.
One of the most significant trends is the shift towards repatriation, where companies are bringing their workloads back to on-premises servers to reduce cloud bills. This move is driven by the need for cost control and stability, particularly for workloads that are stable and consistent. While cloud computing is still a popular choice for intermittent or spiking workloads, companies are finding that repatriation can save them a significant amount of money.
AI partners are also on the rise, with tools like GitHub Copilot, JetBrains' AI Assistant, and IntelliCode becoming increasingly popular. These tools are designed to assist programmers with coding tasks, providing suggestions and completing code snippets. While there are limitations to these tools, they are proving to be valuable assets for developers. In contrast, human pair programming is falling out of favor, likely due to the challenges of synchronizing schedules and the rise of remote working.
When it comes to programming languages, Rust is gaining popularity, while C/C++ is losing ground. Rust's memory-safe design and concurrency features make it an attractive choice for developers who need to write fast and stable code. The White House has even endorsed Rust as a safer alternative to C/C++, citing its ability to prevent pernicious bugs and hidden failure modes.
WebAssembly (Wasm) is another trend that's gaining traction, particularly among developers who need to compile code for the web. Wasm allows developers to compile code in a variety of languages, including C++, Cobol, Python, and Rust, and deploy it in a browser. This approach is faster and more efficient than traditional JavaScript-based development, and is being adopted by server-side teams as well.
In the world of processors, CPUs are making a comeback, while GPUs are becoming less popular due to their high cost. While GPUs are still essential for certain tasks, such as machine learning, CPUs are proving to be a more cost-effective option for many workloads. The latest Arm chips are also designed to make machine learning run faster and more efficiently.
Zero-knowledge proofs are another trend that's gaining ground, particularly in the world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. These proofs offer more privacy and complex semantics than traditional digital signatures, and are being adopted by newer blockchains like Arbitrum and Polygon. In contrast, Turing-complete ledgers like Ethereum are losing popularity, as developers opt for more trustworthy and efficient alternatives.
GraphQL is also on the rise, particularly among developers who need to query complex data sets. GraphQL's syntax allows developers to specify complex queries with ease, reducing the amount of server-side work required. In contrast, REST is falling out of favor, as developers seek more efficient and flexible ways to interact with APIs.
Finally, static site generators are making a comeback, as developers seek to build fast and efficient websites. These generators allow developers to build static HTML files that can be served directly, reducing the need for dynamic content and improving performance. While single-page apps are still popular, static site generators offer a more lightweight and efficient alternative.
In conclusion, the software development landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve requires a deep understanding of the latest trends and technologies. From AI partners to memory-safe programming, and from repatriation to static site generators, there are many opportunities for developers to improve their skills and stay competitive in the market.