10 Software Development Trends for 2024 From Google Trends

In 2024, there are going to be over 28.7 million software developers in the world. With the global population in 2024 estimated to be 8.0 billion, software developers will constitute approximately 0.36% of it - and that's the group whose work we'll be examining below.

In the not-so-distant future, developers will use AI to create smarter, more intuitive software. And with the increasing demand for rapid deployment, low-code/no-code platforms will become the new reality where even the most tech-averse individuals can dabble in app development.

Yet, these are just two of the ten trends promised in the title. What are the other software development trends for 2024? Let's check the next big thing in software development.

10 Future Trends in Software Engineering

1. Cybersecurity
2. AI software development
3. 5G
4. Everything "Ops"
5. Platform Engineering
6. IoT
7. PwAs
8. Rust
9. UX
10. Low-code/No-code

A Word on Trend Research Methodology Before We Start

Before we dive into our list of top software development trends, I want to explain the methodology behind it.

• The entire list is based on the concept of Google Trends' insights. If you think Google Trends is nonsense - it's okay and totally up to you.

• All the charts show the popularity of a concept on a 2004-2024 timeline.

• Suppose you want to research "software industry" in Google Trends. You can choose to see the results for "Software industry" - a search term- or "Software industry" - a topic. Difference? "Search term" is a narrower concept, and it simply means a Google query. Topics are umbrella terms that encompass related concepts in different languages. They appear below your search term and expand your search to include results for similar terms, such as "Capital of the UK" and "Londres," the Spanish equivalent of "London."

• I don't want to overwhelm you with graphs, so I won't include a screenshot for everything I'm talking about. That's why I encourage you to try out Google Trends on your own.

Software Development: 2024 Market Overview

Before we move on to the actual trends, let's take a quick look at the stats.

The 2024 software development market is defined by impressive growth figures, as stated in Statista's report:

• Global market value: The software market is projected to reach around $698.8 billion.

• Segment dominance: Enterprise Software is leading with a forecasted market volume of $292 billion.

• Growth rate: An expected annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.27% from 2024 to 2028, aiming for a market volume of $858.1 billion by 2028.

• U.S. market: The largest revenue generation is predicted in the United States, with approximately $353.5 billion.

Key highlights for the landscape of software development include:

• Customer preferences: The shift towards cloud-based solutions for business efficiency, cost reduction, and regulatory compliance, particularly in data privacy and cybersecurity.

• Regional trends: Dominance of major players in the U.S., a fragmented European market with a focus on cloud solutions and GDPR compliance, and the rise of mobile-first solutions in Asia.

• Local specialties: In emerging markets like Latin America and Africa, software development focuses on enhancing customer experience, financial management, healthcare, education, and poverty reduction.

• Macroeconomic factors: Growth driven by digital technology adoption, cloud-based solutions, efficiency needs, and data security concerns, further accelerated by the pandemic's impact.

• Market structure: The market spans productivity, enterprise, application development, and system infrastructure software, with key players like Microsoft, Adobe, SAP, Oracle, and Salesforce leading.

The 10 Software Development Trends to Watch in 2024

Cybersecurity

In 2024, cyber threats are escalating, and so is cybersecurity. According to statistics, global cybercrime costs are expected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 - quite an increase from $3 trillion in 2015. This rise reflects the growing complexity and financial impact of cyber threats, mainly because of the advancement of AI and machine learning.

The shift to remote work and cloud solutions has expanded the attack surface, leading to new challenges. Sources show that ransomware attacks hit 72.7% of global organizations in 2023, and the average data breach cost rose to $4.45 million, a 15% increase over three years. Data breaches involving remote work are even costlier (here, an average is an extra $173,074).

What can you do to protect your product?

1. Zero Trust Architecture: Implement a security model where no trust is assumed, and verification is mandatory for network access. This approach is advocated by major companies like Google and Microsoft.

2. DevSecOps integration: Embed security into your software development process from the start. This reduces vulnerabilities and boosts overall security. (We'll delve into DevSecOps later on).

3. AI and ML in threat detection: AI and ML can analyze large volumes of data to detect threats that traditional methods might miss. But is this fraud prevention method perfect?

4. Employee training and awareness: Regular staff training on phishing tactics and the importance of strong passwords and multi-factor authentication is a no-brainer. Here's something more: BYOAI - a 2024 AI trend where employees bring their own AI tools and applications to work. It boosts productivity, improves employee satisfaction... and might easily get out of control.

   
   

AI Software Development

Can any, even loosely, tech-related article go without mentioning AI? No, it can't - so it made it to this list, too.

There are two aspects of artificial intelligence in software development:

1. Using AI within the process of creating software applications. AI can be used to automate many of the tasks involved in software development, such as code generation, testing, and debugging.

2. Implementing AI into software products. AI can also be used to create more intelligent and user-friendly software applications. For example, AI can be used to personalize the user experience, recommend products or services, and provide real-time support.

What does it mean for anyone building digital products?

1. Embracing AI tools in software development enhances productivity and competitiveness because it lets developers automate their work. They can (ideally) produce more code in the same amount of time. This means you can build more of a product or spend the extra money (you now have because developers did what they were supposed to do in less time, and their time is expensive) on other aspects of app development.

2. Enhanced customer experience through AI-powered hyper-personalization. Hyper-personalization uses real-time data and AI to create customized experiences for an individual customer. If focusing on it in software development isn't obvious already, it will be soon.

   There are countless reports highlighting the importance of customization, such as this Deloitte report saying that 80% of customers are more likely to purchase from a company that offers personalized experiences.

5G

The rollout and adoption of fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks have dominated the telecommunications sector in recent years. 5G is the newest operational iteration of mobile technology and offers a range of improvements over 4G, most notably improved download speeds, greater bandwidth, and reduced latency.

5G's impact

1. IoT & AI: A core benefit of 5G is its capacity to support the IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) sectors. With IoT devices expected to reach 75 billion globally by 2025, the importance of 5G's ability to handle massive data transmission with minimal delay is paramount. This capability enables more sophisticated and responsive AI algorithms.

2. Cloud computing: Faster network speeds and lower latency have encouraged a shift towards edge computing, where data processing occurs closer to the data source. This shift is vital for real-time analytics applications, such as gaming, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) experiences.

3. Increased data usage: Forecasts anticipate mobile data traffic of almost 330 exabytes per month by 2028, more than three times the volume consumed in 2022. This surge in data consumption is driving developers to create more efficient, data-intensive applications, leveraging 5G's capabilities.

To maximize the benefits of 5G for your software products, tech leaders should prioritize investing in 5G-ready infrastructure and tools. This way, you enhance your software for efficient real-time data processing.

Additionally, it's crucial to prepare for the surge in data usage by optimizing software for high data demands and staying updated with the rapidly evolving 5G landscape to remain competitive.

Everything "_Ops"

I started my research with DevSecOps. Then I noticed "FinOps" is also named a big 2024 trend in software development. However, as I dug even deeper, it turned out... that a good deal* of everything that ends with "Ops" is growing in popularity in Google, so here we go, Everything "_Ops."

*Not to be hyper-optimistic, there are a few "-Ops" concepts that don't seem to resonate that much with Google Trends: GreenOps, NoOps, ITOps, ModelOps, or SysOps.

Nonetheless, here are short summaries of the concepts that are, in fact, gaining traction:

1. DevOps: DevOps merges software development with IT operations for faster and better software delivery.

2. DevSecOps: DevSecOps adds security to DevOps, ensuring safety throughout the software development and deployment lifecycle.

3. MLOps: MLOps focuses on managing and improving machine learning projects.

4. DataOps: DataOps streamlines and improves data analytics processes.

5. AIOps: AIOps uses AI to automate and enhance IT operations.

6. FinOps: FinOps manages the financial aspects of cloud computing for better cost efficiency.

7. GitOps: GitOps applies software development practices to IT infrastructure management.

   
   

IoT

In the realm of technology, few concepts have captured imaginations quite like the Internet of Things (IoT). Coined in 1999 by British technologist Kevin Ashton, the IoT envisioned a future where a vast network of interconnected objects would collect and analyze data, enabling them to perform tasks autonomously.

While the idea seemed like science fiction at the time, today, the IoT is no longer a hypothetical concept but an unfolding reality.

Thanks to the development of communication technologies such as 5G and data analytics using AI and ML, IoT has applications varying from smartwatches to city infrastructure (smart cities).

IoT represents a frontier of immense opportunity. Its growth might not be as spectacular as the rapid pike in the "AI software development" chart, but it's steady. And with the number of connected IoT devices forecasted to be nearly 30 billion by 2030, the potential for growth and innovation is vast.

The deployment of IoT is accelerated by the declining cost of components and enhanced by 5G connectivity. This trend is particularly evident in the automotive sector, where cellular IoT modules are increasingly prevalent. Additionally, smart home devices are set to skyrocket, with shipments projected to hit 1.8 billion by 2025.

However, the implications extend beyond consumer gadgets. IoT's role in smart agriculture illustrates its potential for social impact, enabling sustainable food production through precision farming systems. IoT's ability to gather and analyze data transforms infrastructure and public services, paving the way for the development of smart cities.

For business owners, the advice is clear: Embrace IoT technology to innovate, improve efficiency, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Whether it’s enhancing product offerings with IoT features, adopting IoT for operational improvements, or exploring new business models enabled by IoT data, the time to act is now.

Platform Engineering

Moving on, another software development trend in 2024 is platform engineering. There are no "Ops" in it, but both concepts have much in common.

Platform engineering is a growing discipline that focuses on designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure, tools, and processes that enable software development teams to be more productive and efficient. It's a hybrid of

• DevOps,

• infrastructure engineering, and

• software development.

It's essential for organizations that want to take advantage of the latest cloud-native technologies.

Benefits of platform engineering

1. Platform engineering can reduce the time it takes for developers to get started with new projects and make it easier for them to deploy and manage their applications.

2. By automating manual tasks and establishing standards and best practices, quality and security are improved.

3. Faster time to market. Naturally, automation leads to a productivity boost, which translates to a streamlined development process and TTM.

By the year 2026, 80% of prominent software development organizations will embrace the concept of platform engineering, establishing internal teams to provide reusable services, components, and tools that streamline application deployment. Platform engineering is anticipated to resolve the core issue of collaboration between developers and operators.

PwAs

One of the more "steady" trends. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are web applications that combine the advantages of traditional websites with features traditionally associated with native mobile apps. They are built using web technologies, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but they can provide a more responsive, offline-capable, and app-like experience.

The global Progressive Web Application Market was valued at approximately USD 1.1 billion in 2019 and is predicted to grow to around USD 7.6 billion by 2026. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 34% between 2020 and 2026.

Why are PWAs a growing trend?

PWAs offer several advantages over traditional websites and native mobile apps. They can work offline, and when a connection is slower, they still load much faster than traditional websites.

Progressive Web Apps can be installed on your device and launched like a native app. This gives them access to device features like push notifications and local storage. Finally, they can be used on any device with a web browser, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This saves you from having to develop separate apps for different platforms.

PWAs are already being used by some of the world's largest companies, including Alibaba, Twitter, and Forbes. For example, Alibaba has a PWA that allows users to browse and purchase products without downloading an app.

Why are PWAs important for tech business owners?

• Improved user experience: PWAs can provide a more engaging and reliable user experience, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and retention, as well as increased conversion rates. PWAs have been shown to have higher conversion rates than native apps. Notable examples include Twitter Lite with a 65% increase in pages per session, Forbes with a 2x increase in average user session length, and Lancôme's PWA with a 17% increase in conversions.

• Reduced app development costs: PWAs can be developed and maintained cost-effectively than native mobile apps.

Rust

Rust is the most popular programming language, with 80% of developers saying they want to use it again next year. This makes it the most loved language for eight years in a row.

Rust, a programming language born out of "mistake," is designed to provide memory safety without using a garbage collector, making it a valuable tool for system programming. It aims to prevent segmentation faults by ensuring memory safety at compile time. This way, it eliminates common bugs that can lead to security vulnerabilities.

This aspect makes Rust particularly appealing for developing applications where safety and performance are critical, such as embedded systems, operating systems, and high-performance server applications.

Of course, its rising popularity doesn't mean all software is built with it. As of June 2023, it was the 14th most programming language among developers (13.5% of developers surveyed stated that they used Rust). It falls behind giants like JavaScript (63.61%) but is still far ahead of those really niche ones, like Raku (0.18%) or Flow (0.24%).

Low-Code/No-Code

The thing with low-code and no-code is that these might not be very spectacular technology trends, but, again, they are growing at a steady pace.

Low-code and no-code platforms are tools that make it easy for both experienced developers and non-technical 'citizen developers' to build applications. They work like building blocks, where you can drag and drop parts to assemble your app.

The popularity of low-code and no-code platforms is rising for several reasons: they are relatively easy to use, and low-code development is cheaper than traditional software development, contributing to the democratization of software development.

Of course, anything built with low-code and no-code will have severe limitations:

• No-code/low-code platforms will not be suitable for complex applications with highly customized features or performance requirements.

• Expertise and technical knowledge may still be necessary for certain aspects of app development, such as data management, security, and integrations with existing systems.

• Scalability may be limitedin some cases, especially for high-traffic or mission-critical applications.
  

Nevertheless, for tech business owners, startup founders, or anyone making digital products & tight on budget, these platforms are really useful. Common uses include:

• Building websites and e-commerce platforms quickly.

• Creating internal tools for things like managing customer information or tracking orders.

• Automating routine tasks to save time and reduce errors.

• Quickly making prototypes or MVPs of digital products to test ideas.

UX

Last, but not least, UX. Although not directly related to software development, it plays a crucial role in the delivery of high-quality software that's user-friendly and fully usable.

The more you research UX on the Internet, the more likely you are to come across the same research and statistics on its value:

• Forrester Research found that every dollar invested in UX returns $100.

• A study by the Interaction Design Foundation found that companies can reduce development cycles by 33-50% when they invest in UX during the concept stage.

• HubSpot overhauled its website's UX based on user feedback, which resulted in a dramatic boost in its conversion rate. In certain areas, the rate doubled or even tripled.

The "UX talk" might seem boring after some time, but IT IS TRUE: UX DESIGN MUST BE THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

Good UX research and design protect you from creating products that nobody wants. UX saves you from wasting your precious time developing solutions that aren’t validated or your resources fixing mistakes that could have been avoided. Finally, UX simply helps you create products people know how to use and want to use.

Key Software Development Trends for 2024. Conclusions.

That's it. I hope this list was fun and that you learned something new. To wrap up, I want to address one little question: How do you even use (software) trends?

Here are a few recommendations.

1. Identify relevant trends: Not all trends are created equal, so don't let them dictate your entire business strategy. Start by identifying relevant trends to your industry, target market, and business goals.

2. Evaluate opportunities and threats: Once you've identified key trends, assess their potential impact on your business. Can you leverage any of them?

3. Test and adapt: Don't overhaul your entire business strategy based on a single trend. Instead, test small-scale initiatives to gauge their effectiveness.

4. REPEAT: Trends are constantly evolving, so it's crucial to maintain a vigilant eye on the market. Stay updated on emerging trends and adapt your strategy accordingly.